An innkeeper arrived at the court of the famous Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, known as the “Bnei Yissaschar,” complaining that his landlord planned to evict him from his inn. The Rabbi asked the Jew if he lived in a certain city, and if his inn was designed a certain way. When the Jew answered yes, the Rabbi asked if there was still a well with good tasting water in the courtyard. When the innkeeper nodded again, the Rabbi said that there was nothing to worry about, and everything would work out. As a reply to the man’s befuddlement, the Rabbi told him the following story: A young man once travelled to his Rabbi. After three days, he arrived at an inn. The innkeeper was busy with his patrons, and no one took notice of the young man. He waited for a while, and then got up to leave. Looking from the window, the innkeeper’s son noticed the young man walking away. He ran after him and told him that his father would soon be able to care for him. The young man was given tasty food to eat, and then he asked for a drink. He waited for water for quite a while, but the water did not arrive. The innkeeper explained to him that though they had a well in the courtyard, its water was not desirable, and so he had sent someone to bring water from the city’s well. The young man said that he would try water from the inn’s well, as he was very thirsty. He tasted it and said that in fact it was quite enjoyable. Surprised, the other patrons tasted the water as well. It was true—a transformation had occurred. Word soon spread that the innkeeper had delicious water in his well. Selling the clean water at a neat profit caused him to prosper. After telling his tale, the Rabbi told the villager that he had been that young man in the story. By that point, the villager remembered the story as well, recalling that he had been the young boy who had entreated the Rabbi-to-be to return to the inn and enjoy his family’s hospitality. The Rabbi explained that when he heard that the well was still providing its tasty water, he understood that the mitzvah of hosting guests, which was the source of the family’s change in fortune, was still being kept. This is why he could assure the man that all would be well. There once was a lovely couple expecting a baby. For reasons beyond their control, they had to go on a long and difficult journey right before the woman was to be delivered. Now, this couple knew no one in the town to which they were traveling and, due to the woman’s condition slowing them down, they were pretty late to the gathering and couldn’t find anywhere to stay. Again and again, they reached out to people, hoping that they would find a welcome and that their needs would be met. It was getting later and later, and they were losing hope. Enter another humble innkeeper. He was taking care of the guests already overflowing his small establishment when the man and woman knocked on his door. At first, he told them that he, too, had no vacancy. There was no more room in his inn. But then, he saw the woman’s condition and was moved to help them. He had a stable. It wasn’t very nice or clean, but it was shelter. If they were willing to overlook the inconveniences, he was willing to extend his hospitality to these weary travellers. He did this without formality and without concern about how the type of lodging might reflect on him. He saw a need and he generously gave what he had to the strangers. I think we all know how the story ends. Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be a terribly sad and lonely time; a time when bereavement feels more raw and when the expectations of cheer grate painfully with our true inner state. It’s one of the reasons that hospitality is particularly important at Christmas. Jesus was born into a harsh reality – a dirty animal shed, an unsafe political situation, a religious establishment that had their hopes set on an altogether more impressive-looking saviour. Christmas marks the birth of God himself into this world, come as a baby, vulnerable, powerless and at risk. When we extend a welcome to another person in his name, we echo his willingness to come close to the mess and, in that closeness, transform it. I have been thinking quite a bit about time recently. 2024 has gone so fast – I feel quite bewildered to be on the threshold of Christmas once again. But I love this season. The expectant waiting of Advent, the child-like anticipation of the birth of Jesus, the hope of light arriving in the middle of whatever darkness surrounds us, and the delight of reconnecting with friends, so few of whom we manage to see in the fullness and fastness of life. For many people, of course, it is a sad and lonely season, and for us, too, there has been grief this year. When I think about the Bible’s promises about the life to come. The scriptures say it will be like a great feast, where everyone has a place at the table, there is an abundance of food and no fear of hunger. We will have bodies made to last an eternity – no pain or decay. We will live this never-ending life in the fullness of the presence of God, worshiping him as he deserves, forever and ever. Until then, we share his kingdom by living as he calls us to – generously, sacrificially, joyfully and hospitably. Let’s extend wide welcomes in his name this Christmas, and watch the miracle of his love. Every blessing for Christmas and the New Year,Rev Nick
“Grandpa, why do leaves go from green to brown?’” A question posed by my five year old granddaughter. I don’t have a readily accessible answer, because as adults we just accept that they do, and any facts gained from lessons at school are now quite a long time ago, so I just say, “Well sweetheart as the days get shorter there is not as much light so the leaves turn from green to brown and the trees go to sleep”.Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. The myriad of yellows, reds and siennas demonstrating the diversity of God’s creation. It’s a wonderful time to focus on God’s wonderful blessings—family, friends, strength, shelter, provision, guidance, care, fruitful ministry, opportunities to serve, more time to pray and study His Word, and eternal life still to come.How can it be that all this beauty is a sign of death and decay? With all this beauty there is a certain sadness in knowing that the changing colours also foreshadow the arrival of a long cold winter.Bob Marley sang, ‘So much trouble in the world,’ and at the moment when we look around us at the world, we find much that is amiss; there is much trouble; much darkness like the deadness of winter. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything – socially, economically, politically. Many of those changes are obvious, but some are hidden in private and behind closed doors. COVID-19 effected many, both directly and indirectly and for some recovery has been elusive, they have never been the same since.Charles Spurgeon once wrote about depression and discouragement. He said this: “The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.”If that is where you find yourself–in a place where things seem dark and hopeless, then maybe you can take comfort in some of the psalms. They tell us that those who seek to trust God are not protected from grief, pain and darkness. We are not sheltered from ‘the darkest valley’; we are, however, assured of the presence of God with us in the midst of such experiences (Psalm 23:4). No matter where we are, no matter what life feels like, we cannot escape the presence of God: ‘Where can I flee from your presence?’ (Psalm 139:7); ‘The darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day’ (Psalm 139:12). While we seek the security of the light, where we can see what is going on in our lives and make some kind of sense of it, God calls us to trust him in the darkness.The words of Minnie Haskins, quoted by King George VI in his Christmas day broadcast in 1939, reflects the same theme. I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, ‘Give me a light that I might tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’God, who is light, allows us to experience darkness, just as he in Christ, has done. From winter’s adversity, the darkness and deadness give way to the light and warmth of spring. Each year, I marvel at the buds and green shoots of new life. The sprouts coming out of the ground that soon turn into beautiful crocuses, daffodils and tulips. Bright colours after a season of drabness. Spring is a time of hope and new life. No matter how harsh the winter is, eventually it will be spring; we can count on it because God promised it in the Bible: “ As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat; winter and summer, day and night.” (Genesis 8:22) So, winter eventually gives way to spring, that gains its strength in the new light. Jesus said; ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)Winter can give way to spring in our hearts! No matter how hard the winter, or how much darkness and ugliness we experience in our lives, The light of Jesus can bring new life in our souls.As winter approaches be at peace, trust God to lead you, and eagerly watch for new life springing up all around you in the weeks to come, take some time to reflect on the ‘new life’ that Jesus wants to bring you. He can replace the deadness of winter with the new life of spring.Love & Blessings Rev NickLight of Christ A prayer by David AdamLight of Christ, Light a fire of love in my heart,Love to my family and my friends,Love to my neighbour and the stranger,Love to my community and all humanity,Love for all creation and to each creature.Let that love burn and never be extinguished, let it flame out and bring warmth to others.Light and love of Christ, You brighten our dark days,You warm our cold hearts, You burn away all hatred,You enlighten and protect us.Light of Christ, Light a fire of love in my heart.
Over the course of summer 2024 we will be replacing the Chancel roof and repairing the Chancel floor at St Mary's church in Riccall, as part of our scheduled maintenance programme designed to care for this ancient building as a place of worship and secure its future for generations to come.The Chancel is at the Eastern end of our church building, the section with a pitched slate roof, housing the altar, sanctuary and choir areas.The church will be open and operating as usual, but you may notice scaffolding around the Chancel during this time.We give thanks to the Church Commissioners for their investment and support to make this happen.
