The Christmas message for this year is one of Hope.
Our lives, country and world are far from perfect. There are always challenges and struggles we have to face both personally and collectively.
Let us Hope that we may see peace in the Middle East, in Europe and elsewhere throughout the world.
As we move through this period of Advent, let us enjoy the good news of Christmas so that, even when the world or our circumstances change, the message of Christmas remains timeless.
Christmas is about the birth of God’s son – Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, Hope and joy.
That message does not change from year to year, which is good news, especially when there is so much bad news and devastation in the world. Good news is worth celebrating.
This is the time of year when we look forward to spending time with family and friends or send cards of greetings and best wishes to those who are or who have been a part of our lives.
In the tradition of those three wise men of old; Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar; the Kings of Arabia, Persia, and India; who travelled to present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, so we prepare to present gifts to those nearest and dearest to us.
For our children and grandchildren we prepare for the coming of Santa Claus, or more formally St. Nicholas, born during the third century. His wealthy parents, who died in an epidemic whilst he was still young, raised him to be a devout Christian, and eventually he obeyed the words of Jesus’ to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor.”
Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love of children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
St. Nicholas has been so widely revered that thousands of churches have been named after him, including three hundred in Belgium, thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in the Netherlands and more than four hundred in England.
By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.
Let us therefore Hope we can follow in his footsteps and continue to say in our prayers that we remain ever mindful of the needs of others and act accordingly.
Finally, as we move through a period of change, let us Hope that we can move forward and continue to develop our beautiful Order.
I Hope and wish you and your families all the joys of Christmas and look forward with Hope to a happy and healthy New Year.
God bless you all.
Ian