SWC – Newsletter 6 – Christmas Message

South Warwickshire Circuit Newsletter 6

Wishing everyone in the South Warwickshire Circuit a very Happy Christmas

"If you could write something about Christmas for us please that would be great. But please don't make it too long as space is limited!". There are so many other good things to bring to people's attention it is almost as if there is no room for Christmas. Of course, 'no room' is one of the realities of the Christmas story. As refugee or homeless, there was no room anywhere for the holy family.

Jesus was born a traveller, a theme that would mark his life and ministry. 'For the Son of man has no place to lay his head'. If there had been room things would have been very different. The story would not be the same and some of the charm we see in it from the distance of millennia would be lost to us. We all know 'it wasn't like that'. We can acknowledge that the only joy and delight of the first Christmas was that of loving parents.
The rest of the story is not pretty despite what we have done to it over the centuries. Who in their right mind would want anyone they care for to be born 'in stable bare'? Or to be hounded by soldiers in the early years of life?

Making room in life is one of those things that we may be called upon to do once in a while. Make room for someone on the bus or the train. Make room at the table for the extra guest. Each year I try to remember about making room at Christmas for Jesus in all that goes on around his nativity and in doing so carry that through into the next year making room for those for whom there is none.

May you and yours find a place with Christ in the blessing and joy of Christmas.

Rev. Peter Powers, Superintendent Minister

To read all the articles in newslettre 6, click here.