2024 Christmas messages to Newark Advertiser readers from religious figures in Newark and Sherwood
The Advertiser has asked religious figures across the area to give their reflections on the Christmas period. This is what they said:
The Right Rev Paul Williams, Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, said: “A year ago, just a few weeks before Christmas, a six-year old boy called Milo won the hearts of millions around the world when a short video taken by his mum went viral on TikTok.
“Sitting in the back seat of the car, with a twinkle in his eye, he told his mum that he’d been given a ‘classic role’ in the school nativity.
“His mum tried to guess what it could be: ‘Is it Joseph? Or one of the wise men? ‘No’, he said, ‘but it’s a classic role’. He could barely contain his excitement as he told her: ‘I’m Door Holder Number 3. I’ll be holding doors!’
“There is something endearing in the delight expressed by a child who is thrilled just to have a part in the nativity, even if only holding doors.
“Christmas is often a time when we become more aware of a deeper longing for meaning and purpose. We all hope that our lives will count for something.
“The seeming absence of significance can also be very painful and lead some into a spiral of loneliness and despair.
“Knowing that God is with you and for you makes all the difference in the world, whatever you are facing. In John’s Gospel we read, ‘The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’
“No matter what the coming year may bring to our lives and our world, we all have a ‘classic part’ we can play as we continue to notice and care for those around us.
“And like six-year-old Milo, we can experience the delight of holding doors open to people who least expect it: doors of opportunity, doors to forgiveness, doors that lead from despair to hope.
“The door to finding eternal peace is found in the birth of Jesus and is open to everyone.
“This is why Christmas really matters for our world today.”
The Rector of Newark Parish Church, the Rev Chris Lion, said: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” sings Andy Williams, in the catchy Christmas tune that you’ll no doubt have heard at some point recently.
“The run-up to Christmas in our household, with five young children, and a church to lead, can sometimes feel less-than-wonderful; at times it feels relentless.
“But for many years now, amidst the chaos, I’ve maintained my own Christmas tradition: on Christmas Eve, when everyone else in the family is tucked up in bed, I take a minute or two to sit in my living room, with the room lights off, and gaze at the Christmas tree.
“And as I sit there, enjoying the lights, the decorations, and the stillness, I feel once again that Christmas is, actually, full of wonder.
“I wonder all over again at the reality that a glorious, almighty Being, who is powerful enough to create our universe, would choose to humble Himself to become a part of it; out of love for you and me — and that sense of wonder brings with it joy, and hope.
“Our world faces many challenges, no doubt; but with such a God in control, I can’t help but be hopeful about the future.
“So, here’s wishing you all a very wonder-full Christmas; and may you too begin 2025 filled with joy and with hope.”
The Revd Canon Dr Neil Evans, Interim Dean of Southwell, said: “Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas, star and angels gave the sign. (Christina Rossetti 1830-94).”
“In a world torn apart by war and fear of escalation, by impending climate disaster, by evil perpetrated by people in positions of trust, by many living on the margins of society in poverty and homelessness, words of hope can feel distant and in short supply. Christmas can feel overshadowed for many by debt, commercialism, pressure to conform or loneliness.
“I wonder what Christmas means to you? The message of Christmas in the Christian Church is fundamentally one of hope. For God reaches out to all people in love.
“Despite the awfulness that we can feel surrounded by, the Christian hope is that each one of us is loved infinitely and wholly for ourselves. For God, in an act of supreme love, sent and sends his son, Jesus, to be one with us.
“It is the ultimate expression of relationship, and it is this that we at Southwell Minster — and every Christian Church — celebrates this Christmas. In music, carol, prayer, word, silence, joy and beauty we celebrate a God who loves the world so much that he sends his son, the babe of Bethlehem, bringing hope in a broken world.”
Father Michael O’Donoghue, Parish Priest at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Newark, said: “2024 was the year that the NHS offered the removal of cataracts from both of my eyes and a total right knee replacement. Both operations came with clear aftercare instructions which I have followed faithfully.
“Often during my recovery time I reflected on the instruction that Mary the Mother of Jesus gave to the disciples at the ‘Wedding Feast of Cana’ — “Do whatever he tells you” John 2:5.
“The quote is considered to be a powerful and profound invitation to obey and love God, and to remain faithful through life’s struggles.
“The servants’ willingness to follow Jesus’ instructions, even though they didn’t know the outcome, is a model of faith and obedience for believers.
“Within the Nottingham Diocese, Bishop Patrick is continuing to slim-line the parishes from 116 to 54 because of the shortage of priests. He is encouraging all people to spend time in God’s presence day by day and grow into missionary disciples bringing the love of God to society at large.
“Pope Francis brought the Synod 23/24 to a close in October and is encouraging us to listen to each other in a helpful way.
“He has left us with a delightful letter entitled “He delights in us” reminding the world that God is still longing to be with his people in all the circumstances of their lives just as God reached down to touch humankind in Bethlehem.
“Wishing all our friends, supporters, and members of the Newark and Sherwood Community a Happy and Peaceful Christmas with prosperity in the New Year.”
Captain Sarah O’Grady, of Newark Salvation Army, said: “Joyous greetings to you during this Advent and Christmas season!
“I love advent – the season of waiting and anticipation. Like seeing those gifts build up throughout December, not knowing what is inside, and wondering what they could be.
“I also love Christmas because it brings out the best in people. It demonstrates love, generosity, and kindness. It brings families and communities together in a celebration of all that is good.
“Gift giving has become such a cultural tradition at this time of year. The giving of gifts as a means of celebration and sharing of joy is a beautiful thing.
“It is important to remember, however, that the greatest gift ever given came on that first Christmas, and this gift can continually fill us with hope, peace, joy and love.
“This is the gift of Jesus’ birth — a gift that we can continually receive. His love is available to us every day, and this is what Christmas is truly about.
“The story of Jesus’ birth, and all that followed throughout his life, shows how God, in a beautifully human way, wanted the world to know how much he loves them.
“So, he came, as a baby in a manger — love wrapped in swaddling cloths; love crying in a cattle stall; love given as a gift for you and for me.
“This Advent season, we pray that you will experience the hope, peace, joy and love that Jesus can bring into your life, and may you be abundantly blessed as you wait in anticipation to celebrate once again, the birth of the King of kings.”
Andrew Miller, of Newark Evangelical Church, said: “Christmas is meant to be a season of light and joy, but for those who have experienced loss it may be a very dark time.
“I have been privileged to be involved in the Beaumond House Hospice ‘Light up a Life’ services this month, held in Newark, Southwell and Collingham. The service provided an opportunity to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
“In the midst of grief, it can be comforting to know that there is the possibility of hope.
This is the message of Christmas: a light shining in the darkness, dispelling fear and gloom.
“That’s why I think it’s fitting to celebrate Christmas in the middle of winter, when there is least light and most darkness. The poet, Christina Rossetti, famously wrote about ‘the bleak midwinter’ when ‘snow had fallen, snow on snow’. I doubt there would have been actual snow when Jesus was born, with Bethlehem being in a Mediterranean country. Rather, the words capture the bleak spiritual state people were in when the Messiah arrived.
“But the deep darkness in the world, both then and now,, allows the light of Jesus to shine even brighter. And wherever there is light, there is hope.”
