Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Christmas Message from Gerry Miller
Dear Friends
What does Christmas this year mean to you?
If like me you are an older person it may well bring back memories of many years ago when during the Second World War we tried to celebrate the birth of Jesus as normally as possible in a world torn by conflict and loss. In 1940, for example, we faced great uncertainty, the fear of invasion, imposition of rationing, but also recalled the outstanding bravery of our young pilots in the Battle of Britain. As Winston Churchill put it “Never was so much owed by so many to so few”
1940 had also seen the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk with severe losses and the beginning of the Blitz of our cities. On a more personal note most of our fathers had been called up and unless they were fortunate enough to get a 48 hour leave pass mothers and their children were on their own.
All this came back to me nearly 70 years later as the situation in Afghanistan seemed to deteriorate with increasing losses, a world economic crisis and the risk of a swine flu pandemic, all pointing to a time of major anxiety and uncertainty. As in 1940 there will also be many celebrating Christmas with a member of their family who is away on active service. Sadly some will feel unable to celebrate because of the loss of a dear one or deep concern about coping with someone severely injured so that life will never be the same again.
1940 and 2009 also have something else in common, an increasing recognition by many of our need to turn to God and place our hope and trust in Christ, both personally and nationally.
The reports from Afghanistan are often a cause of great sadness (and, of course, of many arguments about the justification for us being there at all) but also of great pride as we observe the outstanding courage, comradeship and commitment of our servicemen and women in situations quite beyond most of our imaginations, many of them very young, often with limited military experience.
Many of you may have heard the moving broadcast of Sunday worship from Camp Bastion on Remembrance Sunday in which a number of them spoke very movingly of their faith and of God’s presence with them at the most challenging of times.
And again this year the Queen will follow the example of her father George VI by broadcasting a personal message of encouragement to us all as he did in 1940.
You would be very welcome to join us at St Swithun's for any of our Christmas Services.
With best wishes for a blessed Christmas.
Gerry Miller (Licensed Lay Reader)