Rector's Thoughts

A Christmas Thought December 2024

Luke 2. 10 – 11

“But the Angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you news that will bring great joy for all people. Today in David’s town a Saviour has been born to you, he is the Messiah, the Lord.’ “

Whether reflecting on illness, family loss, natural disaster, the great global horror of terrorism or nationalistic radicalism, or our own pain, this Word of Scripture always speaks to me.  The Creator – ‘the Messiah’ ‘the Saviour’ has become part of our concrete human history.  Jesus brings new life and new possibilities.  We will hear this in many ways as we journey through December and Christmastide.  To slightly simplify the Angel’s words, ‘Do not be afraid for the Saviour has come to walk along with you.’

The great Story of Christmas is that God saw hope, light and a second opportunity for the human race.  Nearly every negativity, conflict or village falling out comes about because we ‘fear’ something.  Think of the riots this past summer.  Think of the rhetoric about the ‘boats’.  Some very clever and fearful, and morally bankrupt people played on the fears of other people.  This fear caused damage to people, to property and to the relationship of neighbours in certain communities.  This year we need the message of Christmas more than ever.  We need to really hear the message that God promises to be with us - not as a distant king, a mighty ruler, or an organisation like the Roman Empire of Jesus` day.  God sent His ruler as a child, born in a stable without power or privilege.

In Matthew 1. 23 The Angel told Joseph that the child would be called Emmanuel – ‘God with us.’  We may well ask, who is God with? Well, the Christmas story tells us that firstly the angels appeared to social outcasts - the shepherds.  These people were seen as the lowest of the low.  We need to really hear this message, because Christmas is for the lowly, the broken, the lonely, the fearful, the person who carries illness of mind or body or emotion; and those who feel lost.

God, in Jesus, offers all of us that peace which the world cannot really know nor understand.  This is an amazing peace.  It’s a reconciliation and a peace which is offered to all people. Or to use less churchy language the heart of the Christmas story is this; God loves us all so much.  He wanted us to move away from our self-destructive behaviour and to see in ourselves and in all people – a precious, amazing child of God; a child who God chose freely to die for on Good Friday.

Scripture tells us, Jesus didn’t come to earth to condemn us with an angry self-righteousness.  No, he came as a baby to walk alongside us and to promise us God’s love and to help us carry heavy loads.

This Christmas, let us celebrate with loved ones, with friends and neighbours old and young.  Let us also make a simple commitment to be open to Jesus` invitation to know His divine love.  Let us share God’s love in the world and may we never forget that our Emmanuel – God - is truly with us all, and that, my dear friends, changes everything.

May I please wish you all a very Blessed and a very Happy Christmas.

Much love.

Yours.

Revd. Stephen Monk     Rector of Darley, South Darley, Winster, Matlock Bath, and Cromford

Coming to Church

This year can I please invite you to some or all of our Christmas Services at your local church?  You may think: ‘I’m a sinner, I’m not perfect’.  Neither are we church goers.  I pray and read the Bible not because I’m holy but because I’d screw up my life if not.  I’m certainly not perfect.

‘I’ve not been to church since a wedding or a loved one’s funeral. I don’t know what to do or wear or I may be upset (how embarrassing).’

The longer you’ve been away the warmer a welcome you’ll get.  Church isn’t complete without you.  Christmas is a time when emotions are high.  We all get emotional, but our Churches are safe places where it’s OK to laugh, but it’s also OK to cry.  To be honest my mum died in 2019 after a long battle with cancer.  She always loved pickled onions but only at Christmas.  I get emotional over an onion!!  And as for not knowing what to do, well, don’t tell anyone but I often don’t know what to do and, it doesn’t matter.

‘I’m not married to my partner, I’m divorced, I’m gay, I don’t know what I believe. ’The title I’ve spoken about above, Emmanuel or God with us, is a clue here. Jesus walked along from town to village to town and he spoke to hundreds of people. But these intimate conversations aren’t recorded as there was no one to listen to them.  Jesus the Christ invited people to walk with him so that he could be in their stories.  The only people Jesus got really angry with were the religious leaders who thought they were more important or more Godly than other people.  We all fall short of God’s love and grace and so we often have to say those two words which are so vital, ‘I’m sorry’. Please remember none of us are perfect.  I’ve been in ministry for around 30 years and ordained for 24 years and it’s always great to see people casting off the weight of past sins, mistakes, or feelings that they are not more than just their worse action.  Jesus died on the Cross so that all we need to do is turn to him and give ourselves to him. But it is a life long journey.

So, dear friends, please don’t worry about anything.  You would be very welcome at all our churches. If you look on our websites you can find more detail of all the Christmas Services. 

If anyone is unwell or new to our local nursing homes and would like a visit please drop me an email:  rev.stephenmonk@btinternet.com or call on 01629 734257

Our Churches:

Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath; St Mary’s, Cromford

St. Helen’s, Darley Dale; St. Mary’s, South Darley;

St John’s, Winster

God bless you all. Stephen Monk (Revd.)