A Letter from Reverend Rebecca
Dear Friends,
Christmas is a special time of year for so many people, especially Christians as we celebrate all around the world the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. It’s a time when the shops are full of Christmas decorations, Christmas trees and Christmas fare, and Father Christmas appears all over the place!
This time of year often brings out the very best in humanity as many give up their time to care for others, whether it’s making sure families who are struggling have enough gifts to give to their children, or people giving up their Christmas day celebration to volunteer at various projects serving Christmas dinner to those who are homeless or vulnerable. It really is heartwarming to see so much ‘good’ going on all around us, all sorts of people showing love and care to so many who really need it.
In the Christmas story we also see at its heart love and care. In Mary we see a mother looking lovingly at her newborn son, we see Joseph gazing at Mary in love and, most importantly, we see in this tiny vulnerable baby the complete and unconditional love of God. For this child is fully God and fully man. It is this baby called Jesus who is at the very centre of the Christmas story and, as well as bringing love, he also brings, joy, hope and peace.
‘Love’ is very definitely the very centre of Christmas. It is about a God who chooses to come to meet with us as a tiny little baby boy; profound and beyond our understanding. And as this baby grew into a man, that love for the whole of humanity continued to be revealed every single day of his life.
A poem by Christina Rossetti sums this all up very well and it happens to be one of my favourites and I would like to share it with you all this Christmas.
Love came down at Christmas by Christina Rossetti
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, all divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and people,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
So now, may the love of the blessed Saviour Jesus Christ rest with you and all your loved ones this Christmas and throughout 2026
Rev Rebecca Clarke
Team Rector North Meols Team