Dear Friends,
Download our latest magazine by clicking the word here in the vicars letter.
It feels rather strange to be writing this editorial for the December / January joint editon of the
Messenger while sat at my desk on a sunny November aAernoon! I’m not yet in the “Christmas
Spirit” as it were, but I can report that some of our neighbours have already put up their
Christmas trees and decorations!
The shopping frenzy for presents and food for Christmas season will soon be in full swing, with
stores bulging with shoppers and every manner of music and decorations to lure us in. If there
is one thing I hate – it’s Christmas shopping! (Well, that’s because you’re a man, I hear all you
ladies say!)
That is partly true, but is it just me, or has society moved away from the true meaning of
Christmas? What’s on the telly over Christmas seem to be more important than the gift of Jesus
Christ. What do we mean by that? What can we offer to the world outside our cosy church
circles, other than a stress filled season, were minds are filled with worry, panic and how to
entertain the family? Here are some thoughts:
Hope and Light in Darkness: The birth of Christ is the arrival of light into a world often
shadowed by hardship. Jesus is the promised Saviour who brings hope and joy.
A Call to Worship and Gratitude: Christmas is a time to gather in community, sing carols, hear
the Christmas story, and give thanks for God’s greatest gift.
Generosity and Compassion: Inspired by God’s generosity, Christians are encouraged to show
love and kindness to others, especially those in need.
Peace and Reconciliation: The angels’ proclamation of “peace on earth” reminds believers of
Christ’s mission to bring reconciliation—between God and humanity, and among people
themselves.
Christmas can either be the Christmas we inflict on ourselves, with all its worries, or the
Christmas we least expect but sorely need - God’s love made visible in Jesus Christ. Let us carry
the above message of hope, peace, and generosity into our homes, our church, and our world—
not just at Christmas, but throughout the coming year.
If you’re reading this in January 2026, then a happy New Year to you all! Congratulations, you
made it through another Christmas. I hope you celebrated and received the Christmas gifts we
all needed rather than wanted…hope and light, generosity and compassion, peace and
reconciliation. And I hope all of you made space for worship and gratitude for what we all have
a shared faith in.
Many people make New Years’ resolutions and break them within days, but I hope and pray
that you will all join with me in making it your resolve to spend more time with God every day,
if only maybe 15 mins.
Morning Prayer is so easily accessible to the modern digital world. You can download the app
onto your phone or tablet, and it does the work for you. And if you do, you will find two bible
readings and one or two psalms in the app; so you will also be reading the bible at the same
5me. Two birds with one stone as they say!
On a personal note, it has been a great privilege to lead our services both at St George’s and All
Saints with Fr Jordan during the vacancy; and to see all the hard work that has and is being
done by our army of volunteers. You are all superstars, Fr Jordan and myself could not do our
bit without your constant service for the church and for God. Whatever the New Year holds for
our parish, may we all continue to join in God’s mission…to proclaim the good news of Jesus
Christ.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he
will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
With every blessing,
Rev Peter Smith