Bishop Mary's Christmas Message 2024
Transcript:
Our crib set had a surprise outing earlier this year. I was part of a team preparing an Advent video back in August, and took our home set of Nativity figures to make the place where we were filming look more Christmassy. As a vicarage child, I was brought up to keep the figure of baby Jesus hidden until Christmas Day, so while we were filming, I tucked the infant Jesus into an inner pocket of my rucksack.
I completely forgot he was there until I unpacked the same bag again on holiday with our family a few weeks later. I put him on the dining table and he was a wonderful reminder of God's presence with us throughout our summer break.
It felt very fitting to have a reminder that Christ is always with us when we were away from home. This Christmas Day, I have the extraordinary privilege of going to a place where many may feel very disconnected.
I’ve been invited to Cardiff Prison. It is hard to imagine what it may be like to be an inmate in prison at Christmas, to be separated from those you love and care about, and to have only very limited ways to be in contact with loved ones at this special time.
The prison chaplaincy team have already shown me what a wonderful thing it is to dedicate time and attention to those who need to know they're not forgotten, and that they're still cared for. When I visited the prison previously, I've also been struck by the friendliness, and the desire to connect from the men who are there.
Prison ministry is a wonderful sign of the message at the heart of Christmas – the wonderful news that comes in the name given to Jesus by the angels – Emmanuel which means “God with us”.
It's great to know that all across our diocese, so many churches and Ministry Areas are reaching out to the communities they serve. It's great to hear of events and gifts that have been prepared, and which are being shared with those who will delight in knowing that they're not alone, that they have friends who care for them.
In so many ways, our churches are seeking to live out this hopeful Christian message, and this takes us to the heart of our faith. Christianity is a way of life that points to God's way of love. The birth of Jesus as a human child born in an ordinary family, shows us how the God who we worship is not distant or remote, rather one who dwells in our midst and who can be found in the most humble places.
Our calling at Christmas is to be fully alive to God‘s presence, like the shepherds who see the star, and hear the angels, and go out of their way to find the infant Christ.
Like Mary and Joseph who hear God‘s voice, and who follow where God leads them. As we sing Christmas carols and remember the Gospel stories, the challenge is to be those who will not pack away the Christ figure at the end of the festival, but who carry him with us, always.
May Christ’s presence be known in your home and your life this Christmas!
Nadolig llawen. Merry Christmas.