Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We live our lives with all its ups and downs, in a world gone mad with war and hatred. We live with our loves, our families and friends and the joys and worries of relationships. Of living with our mortality and the grief and sadness it brings. Our lives are small passing events in the life of this world. It was into this world that God chose to come and be part. The Great God of heaven has come down to earth, His Mother a virgin and spotless at birth.

He lived our life, with all the stress and struggle we do. He loved and laughed, he experienced the trauma of betrayal, hatred and suffering. And the same as us. He experienced death, from the wood of the manger to the wood of the cross. Then, the innocent one having died the most agonising death, rose from dead so that we could be with him. GOD BECAME MAN, THAT WE MIGHT BECOME GOD. Veiled in flesh the God head see, Hail the incarnate Deity.

In the manger of Bethlehem we have our hope, our life, our salvation. Even in our pitiful state, we can say with the Christmas Angels 'Glory to God in the highest and peace to all people of goodwill!' 

I look forward to seeing you at St. Helen's and St. John's to celebrate Christmass properly and fully, as Christian people.

A Blessed and Holy and Happy Christmass to you and your family and friends. May the prayers of Mary, the Blessed Mother, surround you. May St. Joseph be your Guardian. May the Christmass Angels bring their message of peace to you and yours. May the Christ Child, Jesus our Saviour, Bless you now and into eternity, with his joy, peace and love.

Your friend and Parish Priest, 
Fr. Peter.