Christmas is a renownedly difficult time
for the bereaved. The intrinsic joy of the season with its natural
family togetherness, the irrepressible excitement of the children,
carols and Christmas music, eating and drinking and sharing gifts
with friends and colleagues - all can lend themselves to nostalgic
feelings that tear at the throat and accentuate the grief of
loss.
Many people in our Parish have been devastated
by the death of a loved one in recent years. May our prayers
and our caring
extend to them this Christmas-time.
The hope inherent in the
birth of the infant Jesus, bore fruit in a wonderful life,
was cut short in early death, only to culminate
in resurrection and everlasting glory. May our sadness at Christmas-time
be alleviated by the belief that our departed loved ones have
now entered fully into glory with Christ, while we await with
eager longing our reunion with them.
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