Hope for all

22 Dec 2022 • From Bishop Richard Jackson

"The word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) -- perhaps the most important verse in the New Testament?  In this last video of the year, Bishop Richard reminds us that 'the message of Christmas is the message of grace.  No human brokenness is too terrible that God can’t heal it.  No human sin too grave that God can’t forgive it.  No separation from God too great for Jesus Christ not to bridge the gap.  Jesus Christ is the one who brings things together: God and humanity; our own fractured identities; our broken relationships.  He brings the human into the divine for it to be healed and restored.'

But when life is tough, how is this relevant?  Bishop Richard suggests that 'we can make the message relevant by modelling the same 'alongsideness' that Jesus demonstrated.  Christ draws alongside us, so we can do the same to others in need.  Our parish churches are uniquely placed, rooted in our communities, to be a focus of this sort of action, not just ourselves, but in partnership with others of good will.'

For transcripts, visit the Bishop of Hereford's Message section of the diocesan website.