Press Releases28 Nov 24

A December Gazette round–up!

The December 2024 issue of the Gazette is here, and as always we have a wide range of news and excellent writing from around the island, all framed through the unique lens of the Church of Ireland. This issue has, of course, a seasonal twist, and we hope that we offer much to reflect upon and celebrate as we enter the season of Advent and look forward to the joys of Christmas.

The theme of Christ as a light in the world resounds through this issue. We are privileged to feature our annual Archbishops’ reflections, with the Most Revd John McDowell advising us that ‘light has the last word, and not darkness.’ The Most Revd Michael Jackson exhorts us to ‘follow the star in humility and in hope.’

With editor Emma Blain away, our deputy editor Aoife Deasy thinks about the joys and trials of womanhood and humanity during this time of remembrance and celebration. And as always, we feature some fine opinion pieces from contributors around the island. The Revd Christopher West calls upon us to ‘embrace a deeper restlessness … examine how we embody love and humility in our own lives.’ The Revd Johnny Lowden discusses the need to seek ‘the wisdom of ages past to help make a better future’ in this month’s Devotional feature.

‘All we have to do is love each other this Christmas,’ says John Deane–O’Keeffe. Sounds easy, but John shows us that maybe it’s not as simple as it sounds. And Dean Stephen Farrell also addresses the theme of challenge in his stirring call to the Crown Nominations Commission to ‘be bold for the good of the Church and the Kingdom’ in their selection of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

Christmas is, of course, a time when we must think of others, and the Gazette features appeals from Protestant Aid and Christian Aid, as well as a call to help understand and process the experiences of those in mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland. We have fascinating Heritage pieces focusing on a royal residence in Malta, and – a little closer to home! – Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. And we feature a thought–provoking piece on the Church and Society Commission’s vision of ‘a society where law and order meet with a community that functions locally’, submitted in response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government.

Of course, all our usual features are here to enjoy: seasonal recipes, colourful winter gardening tips, local news, liturgical notes, and a look back on a year in the Diocese of Armagh. And we have a wonderful selection of photographs to admire as we feature a number of entries to our ever–popular Christmas cover competition, as well as the beautiful winning cover photograph by Lilian Webb.

And finally, bringing us back to our theme of Christ Light, the Revd Dr Maithrie White–Dundas provides us with these words of hope: ‘The Light of Christmas is passed on. By us. In perpetuity. Until Christ returns again. We are … keepers of the flame, lighting the way.’

A Merry Christmas to you all!