The Beneficial - November and December 2025

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2, 8-13

Wow, and don’t we need some good news! Cue the simplistic Christian response: ’Yes! And that’s what Jesus is all about!’ And my response is, ‘yes, well, he is, but …’ Our new Archbishop Sarah said shortly after her election that she would approach the role in the same way as the amazing Rowan Williams - with Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. (She didn’t say which one! Haha.) We need them both to give our good news credence. The light which the darkness will not overcome has indeed come, and we celebrate that with all our hearts. But in bringing that hope and joy we cannot be smiley, happy people as we’re always carrying an awareness of that darkness. That’s why Advent is such an important season - a preparation, a holding and waiting. As the Taizé chant says, ‘Within our darkest night you kindle a flame that never dies away’, so we face the darkness and see the light coming even more brightly - and our message joy deepens and becomes credible.