Dear Everyone,

The angel said to the Shepherds, ‘I bring you news of great joy.

Today the Saviour of the world has been born to you alleluia.’

The image of a world charged with mystery, through the birth of Jesus, is a beautiful one. We experience this mystery when we recognize in ourselves and others the hand of God guiding us in mind and heart, and when we recognize in mother earth the wonders of God’s plan for all creation.

I find holidays are a time when I notice and appreciate more consciously the gift of faith and God-incarnate’s active presence in our world. I’ve recently returned from holidays. It was a blessed time of active voluntary work in India and deep relaxation in Laos (see www.facebook.com/BishopCharlesDrennan). I love marvelling at the goodness at work in places and people in surprising and heart-warming ways.

Please keep in your prayers this Christmas the communities of Aleppo and Mosul and other trouble places in our world. Alas, there is no shortage of successors to King Herod today.

May our hearts this Christmas be filled with the love that brings joy to others and may God bless you and your family members including the sick or troubled wherever they may be.

Thank you for what each one of you does to make our Diocese a family of faith.

Bishop Charles.