Thought For The Week 17, December 2017

It is hard to believe that Christmas has come around once again! Where has the year gone? Brent, Rose, Carol & I went out to lunch together on Thursday and we were reflecting on the many wonderful things that have happened in our church life together in 2017. It has been a good year, and it’s not over yet.

Christmas is so often full of life, and family, and laughter. This week we welcome 50 primary school aged children to our holiday programme at St. Stephens. Please pray that this will, once again, be a positive and blessed time for all involved. A big “thank you” to everyone who lives and shares God’s love through this vital ministry.

Christmas can also be a bittersweet time as we remember those whom we love and we miss especially as another year draws to a close. This afternoon Brent will be holding a service of remembrance in the Trinity Chapel. You don’t need to be prepared, you don’t need to do anything special, it doesn’t matter if your loss is new and fresh or old and familiar, this is an opportunity to come together and give thanks for the life that was.

Even in sorrow, Christmas is a time of hope. As one year ends, another begins with the promise of God – that Jesus, Immanuel, is with us now, and was with us then, and will be with us forevermore.

God bless you this Christmas,

Rory