"Enjoy a simpler Christmas" Bishop of Salisbury pens festive message
The letter says that some good has come out of the pandemic after a difficult year
The Rt Reverend Nicholas Holtam, the Bishop of Salisbury, has said the global pandemic has taught us to look after each other just as much as we look after ourselves.
In a Christmas message, the Bishop highlighted the fact that Christmas this year will be very different, but it may be a good thing that it should be a little simpler.
He said:
"It’s a strange Christmas this year, we have all been saying so. The pandemic means we can’t meet in the ways we usually do. Family gatherings are limited. If you’re in hospital or a care home visiting is very limited. Churches are open but we’re also limited in numbers.
There have been plagues and wars, economic collapses and famine and Christmas still happened. And sometimes in the different circumstances something profound took place, like in the First World War when the British soldiers in the trenches heard the German soldiers singing Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night) and Christmas Day became a truce.
When the patterns change something new becomes possible. Yes, we’re all fed up with the impact of the virus but what we need to do for Christmas this year is to think of some small way to use it positively. Thank someone who has helped you; call someone who might be lonely; give to a charity caring for those in need; appreciate the goodness of people in remembering that Love came down at Christmas.
This year a simpler Christmas might be a better Christmas if what it teaches us for the New Year is to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves. We want that spirit of Christmas to stay with us in the way we live all the year.
Christmas is different this year. It is strange but it might be a very good thing. I hope you have a simpler, joyful, peaceful and very happy Christmas."
Rev'd Holtam also said that the pandemic has brought out things in us that will create a better life for us all:
"The pandemic is teaching us that we need to be both local and global, to care for one another because public health depends not just on me looking after myself but on everyone being healthy and well. Charity begins at home but does not stop at home. Looking after the world starts here but doesn’t stop here. That means a change of lifestyle that cares better for me, you and the world God has given us."