Archbishop’s Christmas message

In our world there is a sense that the plates are shifting. There is a great deal of uncertainty, and it seems to be the case day after day.

I am writing this on Dec. 18. Over the last few weeks there has been regime change in Syria, a cyclone in Mayot and other areas, an earthquake in Vanuatu and a school shooting in the USA.

That is not to mention the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel/Gaza and Sudan.

Today it is warm enough in downtown Fredericton to walk around without a coat. This suggests that no matter what the cause, there is something going on with our climate.

Allied to this is the divide which exists between many people on many issues, and the inability to hear what we are saying to each other.

In New Brunswick, people are troubled by the rise in homelessness, increased addiction, the greater demands made on food banks and the state of health care, to name just some of the concerns.

People are asking, where will this all end? Are we facing a change of the ages? What, if anything, can be done? 

In First Century Palestine around the time of Jesus' birth, there was a sense of uncertainty. For around 200 years, many Jews had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah, God's messenger, who would release the people from Roman rule. In fact, when Jesus was born and throughout his life, things had almost reached a crescendo. 

It was at this point that God intervened, almost unnoticed, with a baby born in a manger. This child was the promise of God — the one who showed, in his body, that no matter what, God was on the side of creation.

There might be wars and rumours of wars, but God had not left us without hope.

As we pass through these troubled times, let us not lose sight of the promise — the promise we recall at this time of year:  Emanuel, God is with us.

Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Archbishop David Edwards

Photo by Andreas Kretschmer on unsplash.com