Christmas
Message 2005 Vicar’s
Message ‘On
earth, peace, and goodwill to all people’, this
message of the angels to the shepherds on that night
outside Bethlehem, is needed in 2005, as much as it was,
in the year Jesus was born. We need to understand peace
very widely, to include peace in our hearts, in our
homes, in our local communities as well as within and
between nations. 2005
has seen many people’s peace broken by tsunami,
hurricane, and earthquake as well as by terrorism and
local acts of vandalism and violence. It has also seen
much needed help given, as well as good and lively events
in the lives of many families and communities. Peace has
been broken and peace has been restored. Peace restored
requires both generosity from family and neighbour as
well as that inner work by all of us to see what we can
do, for ourselves, for others, that will bring peace. Before
their message of peace, the angels sang to the shepherds,
‘Glory to God in the highest’. I do hope that
this Christmas we will give God that glory, in
thanksgiving for all his help to us, and to ask for the
grace he gives us, that makes all the difference to our
lives, and the lives of those people we meet. One way of
giving God glory at Christmas is by our worshipping. I do
extend a warm welcome to you to come and worship at one
or more of our services this Christmas. My wife, Kitty
and I, my colleague Priscilla and her husband Roger, the
churchwardens and congregations of All Saints, St Philip’s
and St Stephen’s wish you a very joyful Christmas
and a peaceful New Year. Christopher
Morgan – Jones Vicar
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