"Whatever Christmas holds for us personally, the message of the birth of God’s Son in a stable in Bethlehem offers hope and assurance in the midst of the uncertainties we are facing."
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, the Bishop of Rochester has shared a short, filmed message for Christmas.
In his messages, he invites people to discover the hope to be found at the heart of the Christmas story as God "draws near to us" through the birth of Jesus.
He also encourages us to explore the warm welcome on offer at a church nearby this Christmas. People can visit achurchnearyou.com to find a church local to them.
Watch his message or read it in full below.
'God is with us'
For many of us Christmas is a time to celebrate with our families and to leave behind for a while the cares and concerns of the everyday. For others of course it can be a difficult time because of the situation we and our families are facing, whether through bereavement or relationship problems or the challenges of the cost of living.
And none of us of can completely cut ourselves off from the huge issues facing today’s world, whether war in Gaza and Ukraine or the challenge of the climate crisis. Whatever Christmas holds for us personally, the message of the birth of God’s Son in a stable in Bethlehem offers hope and assurance in the midst of the uncertainties we are facing.
The message of the angels was that a Saviour had been born whose name was Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” This is the heart of the Christmas message: that God is with us, whatever we have to face and whatever life may bring.
God has entered into our world to draw near to us – and he invites us to receive him into our lives, so that we may know for ourselves his love and joy and peace.
That message is as relevant today as it has ever been – and perhaps even more so today with all the challenges that we are facing.
This is the message that the Church proclaims afresh at Christmas – that God has come to us in Jesus and invites us to share his life and to receive his love for ourselves.
Whether you will be with family and friends or on your own this Christmas, may I invite you to come and share in the worship of your local church, where Christians will be celebrating the birth of Jesus and will be delighted to welcome you as part of the family of God.
And wherever you are, may you know the peace and love of Christ this Christmas.
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs
Bishop of Rochester
December 2023