Dear Friends,

Wishing you a Holy and Happy Christmas-tide!

In the midst of a tumultuous time, we have reached the days when we are offered a star in the night sky, the glory of angel song, and the wonder of our God coming to us as a child.

I pray that you will find in the mystery of Christmas the particular peace and joy that you need and God wants to share with you this year.

For anyone who is not able to get to church there is plenty available to watch at home. BBC television and radio have services through the afternoon and evening, and into tomorrow. The Church of England website has details of a Midnight service at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach streamed on various platforms.

I will send both this reflection and a later one for Christmas Day. As in church the prayers are the same in each but the readings and my reflection are different.

I hope to send some images of the crib in St Mary’s too. The church will be open for prayer through this afternoon (2-4pm) and I will carry in my prayers there all who are unable to be in church this year, praying that you will know the truth of the Incarnation – that God is with us - in a very special way this year. Be assured, God is with us in the everyday places we find ourselves, in the love we feel for those we care about, in the communion in prayer that we share with all Christians worshipping around the world this night, and tomorrow, God bless

Samantha