December 2026

It came upon a midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, From heaven’s all-gracious King.” The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.

It is soon time to sing this wonderful carol once again. A carol which joins heaven to earth in a marvellous way; a reminder we need at the end of a challenging year locally, politically, economically and globally. The amazing fact that God came down amongst us as a tiny baby still causes us to stop and wonder. How did that happen? What was an interruption in history unfolding, remains one of the greatest mysteries, however, is also one of the most extraordinary blessings. Year by year we mix family celebrations, the culmination of present buying, with carols about the greatest story ever told. And year by year individual lives continue to be interrupted by Christ gently knocking on the door of hearts. All of us who have come to have faith in the child in a manger, can testify to the peace which God brings, not making everything smooth and plain sailing, but reassuring us that heaven, rather than earth, is in charge. Whispers of peace, and changed lives reassure us that God knows, God listens, and God transforms. That gives us extraordinary hope, and infinite joy, even amid messes and muddles. Take time during this busy season, to be still and listen to the angel’s voices, reassuring you too that you are loved, that all is well and bringing peace to wherever we find ourselves in God’s world.

Bishop Karen