Welcome to the
North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit
The
Depth of Winter and the Dawn of Hope
Dear friends,
January can be a formidable
month. The festive cheer fades, leaving behind a lingering chill – not just in
the air, but in our spirits. The post-holiday blues set in, accompanied by
depleted budgets and a collective sigh as we attempt to shed the extra pounds
accumulated over the festive season.
Mary and Joseph, the parents of
Jesus, surely experienced similar challenges. Despite the joy of their newborn
son, they faced the hardships of poverty under the oppressive rule of the Roman
Empire and the tyrannical reign of King Herod. Uncertainty loomed large. What
future awaited them?
Their fears were tragically
realized when Herod, threatened by the prophecy of a new King, ordered the
slaughter of all male infants in Bethlehem. Forced to flee for their lives,
Mary and Joseph embarked on a perilous journey to Egypt as refugees. How did
they cope with this unimaginable ordeal? It's a question that resonates deeply
with us today.
Jesus himself endured a life
filled with significant challenge. This profound truth offers profound comfort.
In our own struggles, we can find solace in the knowledge that our Saviour
understands the weight of human suffering firsthand. He has walked in our
shoes, experienced our vulnerabilities, and borne our burdens.
The hymn writer Joseph Scriven
eloquently captures this truth:
"What a friend we have in
Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, Everything
to God in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge! Take it to the Lord in prayer!"
As we step into 2025, let us
anchor our hope not in fleeting promises of financial prosperity, physical
fitness, or warmer weather. Instead, let us ground our hope in the unwavering
foundation of Jesus Christ. He entered human history, sharing our experiences
and offering salvation. The Savior of the world has brought hope, joy, and
radiant light into our broken world, driven by an overflowing love.
Every blessing for 2025
Andrew
Welcome to the
North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit
The Depth of Winter and the Dawn of Hope
Dear friends,
January can be a formidable month. The festive cheer fades, leaving behind a lingering chill – not just in the air, but in our spirits. The post-holiday blues set in, accompanied by depleted budgets and a collective sigh as we attempt to shed the extra pounds accumulated over the festive season.
Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, surely experienced similar challenges. Despite the joy of their newborn son, they faced the hardships of poverty under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and the tyrannical reign of King Herod. Uncertainty loomed large. What future awaited them?
Their fears were tragically realized when Herod, threatened by the prophecy of a new King, ordered the slaughter of all male infants in Bethlehem. Forced to flee for their lives, Mary and Joseph embarked on a perilous journey to Egypt as refugees. How did they cope with this unimaginable ordeal? It's a question that resonates deeply with us today.
Jesus himself endured a life filled with significant challenge. This profound truth offers profound comfort. In our own struggles, we can find solace in the knowledge that our Saviour understands the weight of human suffering firsthand. He has walked in our shoes, experienced our vulnerabilities, and borne our burdens.
The hymn writer Joseph Scriven eloquently captures this truth:
"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour, still our refuge! Take it to the Lord in prayer!"
As we step into 2025, let us anchor our hope not in fleeting promises of financial prosperity, physical fitness, or warmer weather. Instead, let us ground our hope in the unwavering foundation of Jesus Christ. He entered human history, sharing our experiences and offering salvation. The Savior of the world has brought hope, joy, and radiant light into our broken world, driven by an overflowing love.
Every blessing for 2025
Andrew