Bishop Steve has been reflecting on Advent and Christmas - how we can bring our lives back into a new light?

As the excitement and celebration of Christmas night drifts into pleasant memory, I find myself pondering on the echoes of the angels declaration before the shepherds: that message of Glory to God in the highest heaven, and then peace offered on earth to those whom God favours….

Christmas imagery for me is very much associated with the night – the shepherds on the hillside, the Magi seeking to understand the stars, the dreams given to Joseph – all features of the darkness, stillness and waiting of night. And it’s into this darkness that we get to hear of the birth of Jesus Christ – Emmanuel, God with us, the hope and desire of nations. For me this is imagery of comfort and intimacy: it’s when we are living in the dark that “the light and life of all people”, as John’s Gospel puts it, comes to shine on us.

And then this reminder of God’s favour. God coming into the world because God favours us. Humanity with all it’s faults and failings is, at heart, favoured by God.

Towards the end of 2020 I was increasingly reminded that the gospel is good news, and that the church needs to preach this good news in both word and action. When others look at the church – whether they like what they see or not – they need to know that we are proclaiming GOOD NEWS.

My prayer for the start of 2021 is that we both realise for ourselves, and then share with others, the reality of God favour for us: that we are loved, delighted in, and cherished by God. And as a result of this recognition we be enabled to see ourselves and those round about us in a new light. A light which encourages us to grow in love back to God, and towards others as we too delight in God as God delights in us.

May you be blessed with the knowledge of God’s favour this year

+Steven