Dear Friends,
As we approach the end of this year, we are once again invited to celebrate the wonderful story of Christmas, a story of hope, peace, and joy.
For some of you, Christmas might be in full swing… if the queues to get into the Malvern Retail Park are anything to go by. For others, you may be gearing yourself up for the Great Feast that is Christmas. That said, I am grateful for those that ventured out, during Storm Bert (after a dose of the white stuff.. not the shop, but the snow that preceded the stormy mild weather) to Guarlford church to have a look at our popular nativity exhibition. How appropriate to host this lovely pre-Christmas display in the delight that is Guarlford Church as it begins its 180th anniversary year – a church dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary. Each nativity scene had its own way (through, felt, pottery, olivewood, or Lego) of telling the first Christmas Story. In addition, each one had its own family story of where it was bought and why.
Are you getting many cards this year? What about those red cards we are getting through our letter boxes? A parcel still to be delivered. The Black Friday (or is it a month of Black Fridays?) sales are filling the Royal Mail vans, and other couriers, to get bargains out to us to wrap up and send out…or back! But I urge you, please, to take your time and look forward.. don’t dwell on the hassle (or not) of putting up with Great Aunt Maud (etc) over Christmas but look forward, in the midst of our busy lives, to loving and understanding the true meaning of the season. The birth of Jesus Christ, born in a humble stable, continues to offer us the greatest present of all: the promise of God’s love and presence with us, no matter where we are or what we face.
Christmas is not just a moment in time, but a way of life. The light of Christ shines into the darkness, bringing warmth to our hearts and guiding us through life’s challenges. As we gather together to celebrate, whether at church services ( see our advert with our Christmas – and rest of the month services planned) – be it the brass and lights in Guarlford, the end of term school assemblies for our three church schools, a return for Lessons and Carols at Powick and Madresfield or the Cribs, or Midnight services or seeing a certain Vicar dressed as a very seasonal orange, you heard it here first (or too late if you don’t get to see this edition in time. Maybe next year then!) – something for everyone or anyone if you decide to come along; or around our family tables, or in our communities, let us remember the call to share that light with others. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain – with conflicts and climate change filling our news space, the message of Christmas remains as vital as ever: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
This December, I encourage you to take time to reflect on the blessings we’ve received in the past year, to give thanks for the love we share, and to look for ways to bring Christ’s light into the lives of those around us. Whether through acts of kindness, prayers of compassion, or simply being present with those who need a friend, we can all make a difference.
Let us also remember those who find this season difficult: the lonely, the bereaved, the struggling. May we reach out in love and support to all in those circumstances, and you know where they are, offering them the same hope that Christ came to bring. As we approach Christmas and the New Year, let us do so with hearts full of gratitude, faith, and a renewed commitment to living out the love of Christ every day.
Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas across these villages I am pleased to serve.
Rev Gary Crellin and his family