FROM THE MINISTRY TEAM

What can give us all an identity and a sense of security?

It must be different for each of us, and we do identify with others when we recognise something as being worthy of attention, we get that sense of security when we are with others of like minds; the times when we share our homes with families and friends when we have something to celebrate. Our homes become places of security because we identify with others in a common cause.

The phrase, “It’s coming home” has an air of expectation when we hear that chant of supporters encouraging their team. They identify with each other expecting that their team will win that longed for trophy. It’s going to happen. The trophy is coming home.

That trophy has been someone else’s, also giving them a common identity and a sense of security. That trophy does give a sense of identity and a sense of security to whoever holds it, but it is only held temporarily.

There is an air of expectation as we prepare our homes for Christmas, those places of our identity and security with that sense of wonder with joy. But it can be tinged with sadness in those whose loved ones have died. Those loved ones helped us to experience that feeling of security, contributing to our identity as we shared special moments with them during their life on earth.

There is another air of expectation within our churches as we prepare to celebrate our Christian identity in the birth of the Baby whom, I assure you, provides that permanent security we can all search for and then discover in the ups and downs of our lives.

This is an open invitation to join with us, sing carols and ponder, an opportunity for all to recognise that that something whose birth and identity which we celebrate is worthy of our attention and yours. That birth does and will contribute to a major part of our identity and the source of our security. Not as in our transient troubled world but in a permanent place of peace. Come and identify yourself, get to know us and be part of our security. We will welcome you.

On behalf of all The Team, I wish you A Christmas filled with Joy and Peace followed by a Year of Expectation and Discovery.

Judy Hailes

Reader