Tower and Town, December 2023 (view the full edition)Clergy LetterThe period covered by this edition of "Tower and Town" includes Advent, Christmas and Epiphany (The New Year) as does this "Clergy Letter". ADVENT. In life we go through many processes of preparation. Our schooling prepares us for adult life. Special training prepares us for jobs and professions. At this time of the year much of our preparation is making sure that we have all that we need for what we are to do. No wonder our minds can be overloaded. Have we remembered the presents, the cards, the tree, the food, the drink, the crackers, the invitations, and then what about the poor, the lonely and the homeless of our community? As Christians we are called to become signs of hope to our world, to go out to one another in love, peace and forgiveness. Just as we prepare our homes with decorations and gifts, we must prepare ourselves spiritually by silence, wonder and prayer so that our faith and hope in God may be renewed. It is too easy to lose the central meaning of Advent (The Coming) which leads us to Christmas amidst the tinsel and commercialism. Advent is a short but precious time of looking forward. CHRISTMAS. The Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. All babies are demanding; this is especially true of the Christ child in the manger at Bethlehem. By sharing his divine life with us, he challenges us to imitate him, "to be full of grace and truth". Despite the complexity and troubles of our lives, we can be transformed too, to act and speak justly and creatively. Like Christ we can speak words of peace and mercy, we can pray for those who persecute. We can become living words which make the presence of the Eternal Word visible to the world as we celebrate the peace, joy and hope of Christmas. EPIPHANY (NEW YEAR) Of all Christmas gifts the most remembered are those given by the Wise Men. Gold, for the one who is acclaimed King of kings and Lord of lords. Frankincense, the sign of the priest offering up the prayers of the people for whom Christ eternally intercedes. Myrrh, the embalming spice, a sombre reminder that his mission would be accomplished through his death and resurrection. The Wise Men, in their presence and presents, recognised Jesus for who he is. May we learn, like the Wise Men, to pray that we may grow in our ability to know Jesus Christ and to love and forgive as He loves and forgives us, setting aside the surface differences, accepting all whom we meet now, this week and this New Year as our equals in Christ and as people for whom God's giving is available. Fr John Blacker |