Dear All,
I am writing my Christmas letter to you on the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday. I can’t quite believe that we are starting to think about Christmas already and like many people I am slightly put out by all these Christmas lights and decoration which have been up for many weeks already.
But now, on Remembrance Sunday, it seems to be just about the right time to think about Christmas. With the disturbing news about Afghanistan and so many other places where there is war and trouble, when we hear about violence in our own country, and with all the human loss and suffering from the world wars, there is a real longing for peace on earth and good news for all mankind.
When I was a teenager and took part in peace demonstrations, there was this saying ‘imagine there is war and nobody goes’.
Yes, when you are sixteen year old you still believe that it could be so simple, but then you learn that our world is far more complex, and that it just isn’t that easy. – But I still sometimes think, wouldn’t it be great if suddenly we would all be nice to each other, not take more than we need, not having to fear that others will take advantage of us. The wolf will lie with the lamb; the leopard will lie down with the goat.
And this longing for peace seems to be common to all mankind. There is hardly anybody who doesn’t want peace and a secure life for himself and his people – this longing is universal.
But even so, there are never more relationships breaking up than during the holidays, people feel their loneliness particularly at this time of the year, domestic violence reaches a peak and poor people often miss out on the presents. Many people are glad when it will all be over, although they had been looking forward to it so much.
We work so hard for Christmas but we simply can’t make it. Peace on earth – that is something for God to bring to us.
When I read the names on the War Memorial this morning, I realized that these are all familiar names. That was sad and humbling and I thought about how these men might have been related to the people whose minister I am today.
I have never felt so deeply happy that you elected me to be your minister, not only because I am enjoying much being your minister but because it is the most wonderful Christmas sign, for it shows that peace on earth is really possible – just as HE promised us.
So let us all pray that with God’s help there will be peace on earth and good news great joy for all the people.
Matthew joins me in wishing you a good Advent, a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year,
Yours,
Kristina Herbold Ross