All Saints' ChurchMarple, Stockport
Economic meltdown, an influx of migrant workers, threatening behaviour from a foreign superpower, random outbreaks of terrorist activity, political instability and a national leader who appears to have lost the plot and is desperately trying to curry favour in order to regain his reputation and to cling on to power. Ordinary people faced with fear, uncertainty and a sudden loss of hope. Sound familiar? No, not Gordon Brown's Britain, but first century Palestine. Some things never change. It was this broken and confused society though that became the setting for the most profound rescue mission the world has ever seen - a rescue mission which began with the birth of a baby. He would grow up to address His beloved humanity's most threatening problems. He would bear the cost of human wrong in His own twisted, crucified body. He would overcome even death itself as a demonstration that evil will not have the last word, and as a sign that even in life's worst situations God extends real hope to all who will receive it. Some things really don't ever change; including the only person in whom real hope can be found. Why not celebrate His birth this Christmas and discover how new hope can be born in your life today. With every good wish for a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Ian Parkinson, Vicar |
|
