Hertingfordbury Parish News: December 2003

Clergy Letter

Dear Friends,

Were you at the Christmas Bazaar on 15 November? If you were, did you notice anything false about my person? My smile was real and the goods on my table were all for sale at reasonable prices. I was pleased to see so many people and happy to chat. What was false was not obvious though. It was in fact my dog-collar!! I had actually left home without the genuine article, and as it is an identifying item of dress, I felt uncomfortable in my clerical shirt without it, so I folded a piece of paper over and over and tucked it in the slots. It felt fine and I soon forgot I was wearing it, to the point where I was slightly surprised at the feel of the material when I came to remove it. How easy it is for us to be taken in by falsehoods and copies. Sadly in our materialistic world, there are so many 'copies', often so good they are undetectable until it is too late to do anything about them.

Jesus said beware of false prophets; how difficult this can be when we are wanting only good news, when the truth is going to be too much to bear Yet surely truth is what has to be coped with at the end of the day, so why not face it sooner than later. As we approach the Christmas Season, journeying through Advent preparing not materialistically, but Spiritually to rejoice in the celebration of the birth of the one who came to change the world, whose gift to us was His life and Hope for the future; surely we must be led to see that there has to be something there for each of us, for that promise came into being 2000 years ago and is as true today as then. We are 3 years into a new millennium, and what a tortuous 3 years the world has experienced. As we enter 2004 let us look back to that glorious birth, and the hope that came with it. Let us not forget the tragedy of Good Friday to come, nor the Resurrection with its renewed promise of love and faith in a better future for ALL mankind. Be good to yourselves this Christmastide and to all you love. Be good to your neighbours near and far. Be good to the world and yes, give PEACE a chance. Beware of false prophets and even reasonably good look-a-likes. There is NO substitution for the real thing. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, listen only to Him and go into the Season of Goodwill and the New Year with Him in your hearts and His promise to be ever with you, look for the good in all around you. It is there, seek and ye shall find. My prayer is that this year your stocking may be filled with truth and love, and that pain and falsehood be left in the wilderness. Joe joins me in wishing all of you a Joyful and Blessed Christmas and Peace and Good Health mental, physical and spiritual for the coming year.

Love and blessings, Rev'd Rosemary

Please note: Although the Hertingfordbury Parish News is produced by St. Mary's PCC, the opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the PCC.