Thank you for visiting our website. There is a wide range of

information available to you by just following the navigation links above

Hopefully you will find something of interest, or maybe answers to questions that have been puzzling you.

Please feel free to contact us if there is anything else that you would like to see on this site or if you have any queries.

Seasonal letter for CHRISTMAS by Alan Bing

I wonder whether you too have had that experience where you walk in the room and realise that you've forgotten why you are there. Was it to put the kettle on? Or was it to fetch a screwdriver for some task or other? Does Christmas ever feel a bit like that? You're in a familiar place with familiar rituals, but you can't quite remember why you're there and what the purpose of it is...

In fact, even if uncomfortable, that's not a bad place to be. Too often, we go through familiar rituals without thinking, and they don't penetrate beneath the surface, so it's good to think about why we're doing what we doing. When Mary was told by the angel that she was to have a child by the Holy Spirit and that his name was to be Jesus (meaning 'God saves'), she pondered these things in her heart. As her son was born, and drew attention from shepherds and wise men, as he grew in grace and favour with all and went on to gather a huge following, most of whom deserted him when he was betrayed, arrested and condemned to death by crucifixion, her thoughts would have returned to that angel's prophecy.

At Christmas time, although we focus on the birth of Jesus, it is good to keep in view the broad sweep of history, which points ahead to the return of Jesus at the end of time to usher in a new heaven and a new earth. At a time of great uncertainty and upheaval, when many face the future with fear, it is a great comfort to know that one day justice will prevail, suffering will end, and everything will be put to rights. So, as Christmas comes around again, I wonder if we have received all that Jesus came to give, and responded in faith and action?