A Christmas message from the Vicar of Halifax Hilary Barber

The Minster is in full swing for Christmas: the Tree Festival has just finished and we’ve already hosted BBC Radio Leeds Carol Service and the Advent Carol Service, with a huge programme to follow.

But why we might ask ourselves is there so much fuss about the birth of a child some two thousand years ago?

For the Christian community it’s not the birth of any child, but the birth of the God we follow in human form – Emmanuel – God with us.

The birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ is the greatest story the world has ever heard or seen? Given the fact that the historical Jesus lived some two thousand years ago, none of us have ever physically seen him and yet millions around the world have come to believe in him as the source of all being and of the created order, of which we as human beings are a part.

Jesus helps us to make sense of the world we live in and who brings us hope for the future, and light out of darkness, and good over evil.

Christmas is also part of the cultural fabric across the whole of Europe, celebrated both by people of many different faiths and none, as a time for generosity and kindness, towards families and neighbours in distress, at home and abroad.

Christmas in Halifax and across Calderdale is an expression of who we are as individuals and as a wider community, bringing people together to celebrate the gift of a vulnerable child miles away a long time ago, but who still calls us to be kind to one another, tender hearted, and reminds us of people less fortunate than ourselves.

As well as thinking about people migrating from fear and persecution, and from the effects of the climate emergency, we also think of those men and women in the armed forces, serving their King and country abroad, looking at keeping peace in some of the war torn areas of our world.

For some it will be the first Christmas without a loved one, for others, it will be the first Christmas with a new arrival, both equally precious in the sight of God.

So whilst we enjoy the festive season, we are reminded once again, that this is a religious festival for the Christian community, and everyone is invited to join the party, whatever your faith or none may be!