The Magazine of the Methodist Church in Ampthill, Flitwick & Clophill

The Minister's Letter

December 2005/January 2006

Dear Friends

"O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum"

So you found the bushy one, just the right shape and just the right height so that it's top doesn't brush the ceiling as you struggle to get it in through the front door. There it stands - the Christmas tree, the greenery a symbol of eternal life in the dead of winter, a focus of hope, generosity and goodwill that is Christmas.

There's nothing quite like a real, fragrant, Christmas tree, even though it sheds its needles and you seem to be vacuuming them up for months afterwards! Of course, an artificial tree looks cheerful enough and very life-like these days. No shedding of needles, no need to water and when Christmas is over, you can carefully fold it up and put it back in the loft until next year.

But something is missing. The freshness and individual appearance of a real tree brought in from the cold, bears the fragrance of the forest. It arouses a sense of being in touch with nature that we can all enjoy, not matter how urbane our surroundings. The sight and smell evoke memories or wonder and excitement that stretch back across the years. And if we invest in a tree with roots, it can be planted in the garden when the festivities are over and become an enduring symbol of life and growth.

If we are not careful our celebration of Christmas can be like that artificial tree. The glitter and glamour are there, but no life. Then at the end of the season back in the box it goes, without a trace until the next year.

Our hope and expectation is that Christmas will be a time of togetherness, a time to put aside past differences as we intend to be generous and hospitable to one another.

"It's Christmas, everyone should be happy". Hopefully our generosity extends beyond our family circle to the wider family of God and we find ourselves giving to all kinds of charities and good causes.

But when Christmas is over, what shall we do with all that love and caring? Was it as artificial as the Christmas tree we pack away for another year? Or can it be something we have planted within ourselves and others to nourish and to grow? If we do, it continues to be fed and watered by the love of God within us all through the year.

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving"

With every blessing for a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year.

Gaynor

P.S.

If you like Christmas trees make a note of Clophill's Christmas tree Festival on Dec 9th, 10th and 11th - details in the churches.

PPS

All members should have received a questionnaire about small groups - an excellent way of making sure we continue to grow in our Christian faith. Please make sure you return your form to your pastoral visitor or to me as soon as possible.

Gaynor

The Magazine of the Methodist Church
in Ampthill, Flitwick & Clophill

Pages compiled by Peter Fletcher

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