WHAT a year 2016 has been! We’ve had political shocks that will profoundly shape our world, surging need for foodbanks as people struggle to make ends meet, migration on a huge scale, and horrific suffering of innocent people in war torn countries.
If you’re anything like me, you see the news headlines and feel depressed.
There are, of course, incredible stories of human kindness, determination and generosity that never make the headlines.
But we understandably find ourselves wondering where things are headed and whether anyone really knows what to do about the challenges of our world.
Since the very beginning, the message of church at Christmas has not been “look what the world has come to” but “look who has come to the world!”
A baby, born in an ordinary place to ordinary people turns out to be God’s extraordinary answer to the mess and pain of our world. God became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood.
We can celebrate at Christmas, not by denying the reality of life, but by trusting in the gift of Jesus. Jesus is the light shining in a dark world, offering hope, healing and new life.
Queen Lucy in the Chronicles of Narnia puts it wonderfully when she says “a stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world”.
Why not join with a church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? You will be so welcome! And may you know His light in your life always.
Rev Dr Rich Johnson
Vicar of All Saints Worcester
