Dundrum Methodist Church

Dear friends,

There is so much to enjoy about Christmas, particularly for young children for whom it can be such a magical time. As the days shorten and the nights lengthen, there is something reassuring about the Christmas lights and decorations, the songs and carols, the food and presents! There is also the mad rush to buy presents and send cards and greetings, to make plans to travel to family, attend parties and Christmas markets. The list goes on.

As we look forward now to Christmas Day and the last-minute things to be done, it is good to remember the real reason for the season, and to reflect again on the love that reached out to a broken and lost world with a message of hope, joy and peace wrapped up in a new-born child, the Word become flesh. Jesus was worshipped by his parents, by shepherds and wise men and by followers in every generation since. Our communion service on Christmas Eve gives us an opportunity to see the birth of Jesus in the context of his whole life, death and resurrection as we are called by the words of Jesus to Remember.

While Christmas still has the power to bring families together, I am very aware that for many of our members in DMC, this will be the first Christmas without a loved one. Several of our members have died this year, and several more have lost close family members and friends. At a time when there is such a focus on families, these can be difficult days. So, we pray that they will find comfort in the company of family and friends and that the love and peace of Christ will remain with them.

On behalf of the Taylor Family, and may I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Stephen