Chaplains’ Chat

As we come to the end of another busy year at School, I suspect all of us are looking forward to a rest. The Christmas period is a wonderful time when typically all of us can have time away from work, School and the hectic nature of life to spend time with family and friends. Of course, as we enter this Christmas season, I am sure we will all have a chance to give and receive presents at Christmas. There is the excitement of seeing gifts under a Christmas tree, and perhaps even more excitement when we see the response of family members when they have opened one of their gifts. We all hope that this is a pleasant surprise!

But as we come to another Christmas season, we are also reminded again of the generosity of God in the giving of the greatest gift of all, his Son Jesus. The gospel of Matthew records the Magi travelling to see the baby Jesus, the one born a King. They show their worship of Jesus by giving gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. While these are precious gifts, the real gift to all of us is actually right there in the narrative. It is the baby Jesus, God’s King.  Jesus is God’s gift who will grow up, ultimately die on a Cross and rise to life, to give us the gift of life with God. We can receive forgiveness and be friends with God now and into eternity. What a truly magnificent gift this is, and it is my hope and prayer for all of us that we can see this gift afresh this Christmas. Wishing everyone a restful and refreshing break this Christmas.

Rev. Anthony Benn
Chaplain