A Christmas Message from Bishop James

In the Cathedral during the weekend of the Mathew Street Festival there was an evening celebrating Peace, Love and Understanding.  Tribute bands from all over the world played to a packed house songs by the Beatles.  At the end I spoke for a few minutes and led the audience in a meditation on Peace and Love.  One of John Lennon’s songs is called “Gimme some Truth”.  It’s a plea echoed by songwriters, poets and philosophers down the ages.  Hearing this prayer God answers it in a unique way.  Instead of sending us a set of statements about the truth God sends us a true person. 

Jesus is the truest human being the world has ever seen.  Whatever you imagine a true person to be, Jesus is it!  A true human being would stand up for the poor, heal the sick, fight for justice, stand up to the bully, forgive his enemies, give people a glimpse of God.  A true person would be full of peace, love and understanding.  That’s a picture of Jesus. 

Christmas is the time to celebrate that truth came down to earth.  The way Jesus lived and the things he taught are so down to earth and in touch with our world.

This Christmas will be tough for more people than usual.  Things we took for granted many of us will not be able to afford.  On the face of it you could think that this would be a miserable Christmas.  But the true Christmas based on the true Jesus is not in the end about all the material things.  It’s about opening the gifts of God that money can’t buy – love and peace.  If you feel that your heart is half empty ask God to fill it with his love. If you feel your soul is restless ask God to breathe his peace into you.  These are the real Christmas gifts.  Money can’t buy you a Christmas full of love and peace.  They are presents which only you can unwrap.  Well, go on!  Unwrap them.

I wish you a Christmas of love, peace and understanding.

The Rt. Rev. James Jones

Bishop of Liverpool