Happy New Year to you all!
Thank you to everyone who worked hard during December to ensure that all our Christmas services and events ran smoothly. And thank you to those of you who came and shared in worship. It was lovely to see you. Please do remember that you are always welcome at any church service at any time of the year.
We were, of course, privileged to be able to celebrate Christmas without fear for our lives. Ironically, and sadly, for many of our brothers and sisters living in the Holy Land, this would not have been the case.
You may have noticed that the carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ was omitted from our services this year. Out of respect for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, many of whom are living in fear, it just felt insensitive to sing ‘O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…’ when that is currently far from being the reality.
I have, for the past two years considered including, in one of our services, an alternative version of ‘O Little Town’ which was shared with me on a clergy training day, the lyrics of which reflect the current situation. I decided against this, recognising that people do want to come to church to celebrate the joy and glory of the birth of Jesus at this time.
However, I would like to share those words with you now and ask that you might use it as a prayer for those living in fear in the Holy Land, as we move forwards into 2025.
| 1.O sad and troubled Bethlehem, we hear your longing cry for peace and justice to be born and cruel oppression die. How deep your need for that great gift of love in human form. Let Christ in you be seen again and hearts by hope made warm. | 3.Amazingly and lovingly Jesus the child has come and, brought to birth through human pain, makes broken hearts his home. He comes to comfort all who weep, to challenge every wrong and, living with the weak and poor, Becomes their hope, their song. Words by Wendy Ross-Barker |
| 2.While morning stars and evening stars shine out in your dark sky, despair now stalks your troubled streets where innocents still die. And Jesus, born of Mary, whose love will never cease, feels even now your pain and fear, longs with you for your peace. |
I will continue to pray for peace in our world as we journey forward into another year and I wish you all a peaceful and joyous 2025. May God bless you all.
Sue