President's Christmas Message

Dear All

I am sure many of us enjoy hearing the Nativity story.

As I have been taking services across the years I like to find a different thought about it and this year I want to share an insight with you.

Strange as it may seem, I had never really thought about the fact that Jesus was born in the night. It is obvious. But I hadn’t looked into it and thought why? What is God saying to us, as everything that happens has a reason and this year as I wondered, I felt this.

Jesus the ‘light of the world’ came to bring this light to a dark world, a world where evil existed and pain and suffering occurred. Jesus came to bring His light, His love to all of us. As you look into the story you see the angels as they came to speak and sing to the shepherds they brought light from heaven; the magi followed a light in the heavens which guided them to Jesus. Light plays a major part in the story. And with the light comes love.

As we look to our era with the many stories we hear of people’s pain and suffering, it seems the world is full of darkness and this can make us fearful. We need to hold onto the fact that God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit all bring light not only into our hearts but through us, seeds of this light, this love, can be felt by others. Every action you do, every prayer you make, makes the world a better place, brings a piece of the Kingdom of God here to earth.

Not only that, this Nativity story shows that God comes alongside us, He comes to where we are, He is with us in the dark, the painful moments, when we feel alone He stands beside us.

So may this Christmas enable you to find that light and love of God, so you will be filled with hope for the future.

Thank you for all you do, in prayer and action. God Bless you.

Sarah (Wyman Diocesan President for Bristol Diocese)