

“And is it true?
And is it true,
This most
tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a
stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an
Ox’s stall?
The Maker of the
stars and sea
Become a Child
on earth for me?”
Again I turn to
Sir John Betjeman for inspiration at this Christmastide.
He is without
doubt the heart of the Church of England for those of us
of a certain vintage.
However, let us
remember that this, the Greatest Story ever told, should
always be new & fresh for us as believers. I always
remember at this time of year Christ’s promise of His
second coming.
Is this the year
He comes back to judge us as He said He that would?
If the answer to
that question is yes, then are we prepared? Are we
certain that He will be saying to you & me “Well done my
good & faithful servant, come & share in my eternal
glory?”
Charles Dickens
moral tale ‘A Christmas Carol’ gives us an insight into
how some choose to ignore the fact that there will be a
reckoning for us all. But, because of God’s goodness, we
all have the opportunity just as Ebenezer Scrooge did,
to put things right, Straighten out ourselves before we
are all finally judged. Not much has changed in the
world since Dickens wrote his story. Yes I acknowledge
the scientific, medical & technological advances, but,
we still have the poor. Those who have much & who will
not share it! People loosing their homes & jobs because
of a set of world economic circumstances beyond our
control, people dying for lack of food or adequate
protection from evil people who care nothing for the
sanctity of human life.
“How can I make
difference” you may ask? By being concerned & involved,
by caring for God’s people. I wonder how many there are
who will be on their own this Christmas Day living in
our community? While we are enjoying a happy day, for
how many will it be a day of misery & loneliness? Do we
care enough to make a difference? Could we do the
Christ-like thing & open not just our hearts but also
our doors to those in real need?
Questions to
which, whenever Christ decides is the right time to
return, will have to be answered.
As Christians we
must do all in our power to help those whom Jesus
Himself would be first to help. We learn
from His example. He was born in the poorest of
conditions, amongst the animals in a dirty outbuilding,
hardly a five star stable!
“No love that in
a family dwells
No carolling in
a frosty air,
Nor all the
steeple-shaking bells
Can with this
single truth compare
That God was Man
in Palestine
And lives today
in Bread & Wine.”
A blessed &
peaceful Christmas to you all “God bless us
everyone!”
Fr. Harry.