Thoughts for December from Revd Rupert Higgins

 

  The Vicarage

20 Alton Road.

 

At the time of writing it is Remembrance Day, and again we are experiencing the twin emotions of sadness at the loss of life that armed conflict brings and also the pride of courageous service. Also we are right in the middle of financial upheaval in Europe with huge uncertainty about the coming year. Many ordinary people are facing worry about what the next year may bring for their jobs and future. Perhaps that includes you. On top of that I have just watched the news with further investigations into the horrific behaviour of the News of the World, the aftermath of an earthquake in Turkey earlier this week and so it goes on .....  2011 is yet another clear reminder of how frail and deeply fragmented our world is.

 

To such a distracted and often very painful world, what possible relevance can the Christmas message have? Is it just the tinsel and glitter of a fairy tale that is nice for the children?

 

Well no, absolutely not. It is the most profound news that we could hear. That God was born into our world, experienced the pain and struggles we do, and did everything that we need to do to be reconnected back to him. Jesus was also called Emmanuel, meaning 'God with us'. Jesus knows the agony we go through as well as the happy times which makes a huge difference to living in our flawed world. When Jesus died on the cross the world had thrown the worst things it could serve up at him.... and yet it was the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf to bring us back to God.

 

His birth is for you. May you know Emmanuel in your life whatever you are going through.

 

Happy Christmas!

 

With my love,

Rupert