Diocesan News23 Dec 08

Archbishop of Armagh's Christmas Sermon will call for Risks and Trust

ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH’S CHRISTMAS SERMON TO CALL FOR GREATER RISK-TAKING AND MORE TRUST

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd Alan Harper, OBE will preach at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on Christmas Day morning, calling for people today to be less ‘risk averse’ and more trusting in God’s faithfulness.

Archbishop Harper will say, ‘My hope this Christmas is this: that as individuals and as a society we may begin to re-commission our willingness to take risks for progress, harmony and a sustainable peace – peace on earth to all on whom God’s favour rests. It will require a resurgence of our trust in God and the loving purposes of God.’

He will continue, ‘Based upon the rock-solid certainty of God’s faithfulness to all who trust him, may we, ourselves, begin to see others – including those whom we have regarded in some fashion as opponents – as folk with whom we are prepared to engage in trust for the future.’

The full transcript of the Christmas Day Sermon will be available here on the Church of Ireland website on 25 December.