Press Releases23 Dec 04

Bishop Harper's Christmas and New Year message

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE 2004
The Rt. Revd Alan Harper
Bishop of Connor

There is a sublime paradox about Christmas, encapsulated in the Gospels. On the one hand we proclaim with the evangelist, St John, that the God who is the source of all being, the King of Glory and Lord of all Creation entered personally into the human condition at a unique time and in a unique place in what was the crucial event in world history; yet on the other hand we declare that He chose to do so in circumstances which were the least favourable possible for His survival and the success of His enterprise. He chose the frailty and vulnerability of birth to a peasant woman living as a displaced person carrying a child who was not that of her husband, giving birth far from family, friends and support network, unable to find permanent shelter, forced into exile in fear of their lives. He, who is incomparably greater and more powerful than anything that is, put his survival into the hands of a naïve and inexperienced refugee. What weight of responsibility fell upon the one whom the Son of God would call mother! How extraordinary that she did not fail Him at any stage.

I draw three lessons from the gospel paradox. First, there are no risks that God will not take, no hardships He will not endure for the sake of humanity and all creation, which is his own. Second, that in deliberately identifying with and visiting the most needy, God points all who have power, influence and resources to bring those things to bear for good upon the lives of those whose need is great. Third, that the fate of the innocent, vulnerable, needy and weak is placed in our hands. When we sustain or reach out to support people in need or distress we are caring for the Christ-child himself.

There are many, many vulnerable and needy people and groups in our midst. It is not hard to find opportunity to reach out in Christ?s name. I have one group in particular on my heart this Christmas. They are many families in Belfast and across Northern Ireland this Christmas re-living the distress of loss and those for whom they grieve. Too many are grieving for family members lost through suicide and self harm. Whether or not the cause of each individual act of desperation is understood, there is an urgent need for us all to become much more aware of how the frailty and hurt present in our community, and how much need there is for healing and help. Into our hands is placed the responsibility for finding ways to sustain the lives of those experiencing fragility and pain, be they victims or survivors. My Christmas prayer is first, that the pressures of Christmas may not plunge others into stress and despair; second, that those who have known trauma or loss in the past year may be comforted by the presence of our loving and compassionate God revealed at Christmas and by the support and love of friends; and third, that government, voluntary groups, the Churches and the wider community may come together to recognize the need and respond with love, generosity, care and imagination.

May the glory and the frailty of the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ, inspire our praying and acting as we enter the year of our Lord 2005.