Dear friends,
Another year of crises and the principalities of this age continue to raise turbulent echoes to advent journeys of long ago. Still we hear biblical narrative translated into today’s reports of displaced persons.
Here an abridged BBC report on the migrant crises:-
"The authorities have detailed plans to compel the dispersal of the populace to orientation centres for the processing of applications.
Across the country orientation centres have been created: in former barracks, disused hospitals and training-centres, and of out-of-season holiday villages, those who say they have family there are expected to go.
The planning is thorough, the intentions are good, but there are many imponderables".
And from the biblical text:-
"And in those days a decree went out that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also, … He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn".
So we might ponder on those born in today's travail, whether they may offer the world hope of such peace and salvation as raised light that first advent.
And as we rehearse again our Saviour's birth, might we ponder such journeys as we have faced at the compulsion of this world, to whom did we turn, for compassion mercy and lodging.
And to a world beset with rival claims to sovereignty authority and power may we uphold the light of those rulers truly wise, who seek to offer gifts of sacrificial service and of loyalty to the healing of division.
May this world be blessed by the gift of God's Love.
Grace and Peace be yours this Christmas.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
