"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"

A pastoral letter for those who are finding it difficult to celebrate Christmas.

In the middle of October my daughter was involved in a head on car crash on the A38. Every day since we have been travelling to hospital to visit her. It seems to me that the whole world is getting ready for Christmas except us. Normally I am as caught up in the excitement of the preparations as anyone else, but this time the pain of life has got in the way.

This has made me think about all the people who aren’t able to look forward to Christmas this year. Perhaps they are ill or have a sick family member. Maybe it’s because of grief or relationship breakdown.

My prayers are for everyone who has heartache and heart break this Christmas. That they will not be alone, that others will reach out and care. That God will be with them in their dark times.

May the Christ child who was born in a dark, cold, lonely manger come alongside us right now and walk with us through the tough times ahead. May the Jesus of the cross who knew pain and rejection give us hope for the future. May the God who said, “I am the way the truth and the life” lead us into life everlasting.

Martin

I'm a Celebrity - Get me out of here!

As I write this the ITV series, ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’ is just beginning. Each year a dozen celebrities spend up to three weeks in the Australian jungle living on rice and beans, eating all kinds of hideous bush tucker food, going through various trials and struggling with being away from all the modern comforts of life. Why do they do it? Well, they are paid a lot, plus there is normally a boost to their careers. Most of the contestants express that being away from social media and all the comforts of life actually have many benefits. They are able to get in touch with themselves; there is less stress and they learn the value of teamwork and friendships. They struggle most of all with missing their close friends and family.

Recently there was a programme on Channel four called, ‘The British Tribe next Door’. The programme makers decided to build an exact replica of Scarlett Moffatt’s family home right next to a Himba tribal settlement in the Namibian desert. One of the main things to come out of the programme was our reliance on “stuff”. One of the Himba ladies said, “Scarlett, why have you got so many shoes?” The Himba’s simple way of life and pursuit of happiness through working together and even the whole family sleeping together in their one room huts is a challenge to our constant accumulation of more things.

Maybe as Christmas approaches with the pressure for more food, more things, more, more, more, it is time to think back to the first Christmas and the birth of the son of God. Born in a borrowed stable, lying in a cow’s feeding trough, visited by unfamiliar shepherds, brought gifts by mysterious men from the East, driven out of Bethlehem as a refugee to avoid being a part of genocide.

This poor insignificant family brought up the most influential person who has ever lived on the planet. Take some time this Christmas, put aside all the “stuff” just for a while and think of him – Jesus the one who said, “I have come that you might have life. Life in all its fullness.”

May the stress and busyness of Christmas not hinder you from finding Him and finding time to relax and be yourself with those you love.

Martin

What a Difference a Day Makes

Recently while speaking in church, I mentioned that there are a few significant days in our lives which for better or worse shape the rest of our lives. Not thinking that one of those days was just around the corner for our family.

On Saturday 12th October my daughter and her husband were involved in a head on car crash on the A38. We were called to Derriford Emergency department late that evening to be told that she needed an operation on internal injuries and that there was a spinal fracture. Out of the four people involved in the accident she was the worst off. At the time of writing she is improving and will soon be able to have some food. The prognosis is good, and she should make a full recovery, but it will take a long time.

This whole experience has made me think and re-evaluate what is really important in life. When you go through an experience like this there are many points of view. Here are two:

1. You were unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

2. You are lucky to be alive.

As a believer it has been comforting to know the presence of God and to be aware of His hand upon our family. Jesus came into a world full of bad days. He experienced many sad and traumatic days on this earth. We have a God who has firsthand experience of shock, grief, sadness and loss. I have found tremendous strength and energy from Him during this time.

As a family, we have been amazed at the amount of goodwill towards us, messages of love and practical help whenever we have needed it. So many people wanting to pray (even some who would not normally do so!).

Spending time in hospital, we have become more aware of the amount of suffering some people go through, sometimes alone. Let’s remember those who are struggling with a bad time in life right now. If you are going through a tough time, our prayer is for you, that you will know God’s help and comfort today.

Love to you all and thank you for your kindness.

Martin