Christmas message from Reverend Anne Gilbert

Christmas message from Reverend Anne Gilbert, Vicar of Rochdale Parish Churches:
St Chad’s, St Mary in the Baum, St Edmund’s, St Luke’s Deeplish and St Peter’s Newbold.

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I came across a discussion amongst some clergy as to whether it was OK to have O Little Town of Bethlehem as a carol this year, it was felt that it was inappropriate to sing “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see you lie! Above your deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by” when there is currently a violent conflict going on.

Then the Mayor of Rochdale requested it for the civic carol service as it is his favourite carol and I didn’t hesitate and said yes, because I recognised that it is a carol about 2000 years ago and not today.

This does not mean that I am not heartbroken at what is happening in the Holy Land, the violence, the deaths, the suffering, the grieving, the fear. This is particularly poignant at a time of year when as Christians we believe that, as the bible says, 

“that a child was born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9.6)

Bethlehem, which we sing about how still we see thee lie in the carol, the place where the prince of peace was born is anything but today, and yes, my heart breaks.

The image of a nativity creche in the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, with the crib figures being laid out in rubble rather than a stable is a powerful one that is being shared across social media. It brings home the reality of celebrating Christmas in a war zone and what it would have been like if the Holy family arrived in Bethlehem today. A land that is sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims is not safe and is currently the heart of violence and pain.

However, O Little Town of Bethlehem also contains a prayer, a prayer for peace for all on Earth sung by angels to the lowly shepherds. A recognition that the child being born that night would bring a peace that the world cannot give. That in the midst of our suffering Emmanuel, which means God with us, is suffering alongside us. God too must be heartbroken at the pain being felt in the place where Jesus was born.

What does that peace look like?

I am not going into the politics behind these tensions and who is right or wrong, but I do know that I pray for peace for all who are suffering, that I pray for an end to the violence, I pray for healing and comfort for those who mourn in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine.

Carol Ann Duffy has written a poem called The Truce in remembrance of the soldiers in the German and British trenches in World War 1, who declared a momentary unilateral truce in the slaughter at Christmas 1914, in recognition of what united them as human beings, rather than the war that divided them as killing machines, it recalls them singing carols together, playing football and sharing photos of their loved ones before returning to the trenches.

It is a reminder of a war long gone, a reminder that the soldiers of both sides are human beings following orders, are human souls that also have families, soldiers that could meet each other in no man's land as friends and brothers before the resuming of violence the next day.

It offers hope that when we come together as human beings, we can realise that we have more in common than that which divides us.

There is currently a Banksy-style image being shared of a Palestinian girl and an Israeli boy, planting a tree in the rubble, this image offers so much hope for the future, of the seeds of peace, hope, and regrowth in the midst of destruction.

It is by coming together, despite our differences, that we can spread peace in our communities. I am not in a position to negotiate peace in the Holy Land or in Ukraine, I have to leave that to the world leaders, but I can make a difference here in Rochdale, I can join together with others of different political viewpoints, of different faiths, of different backgrounds and share kindness, compassion, peace and welcome.

Mother Theresa said “Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don’t really want to smile at; do it for peace.”

So this Christmas, when we as Christians celebrate the Prince of Peace coming into the world as God’s greatest gift, I make a commitment that I will do my best to spread peace in this community, with the gift of love and compassion and that will start by sharing a smile.

I wish those of you who are celebrating a blessed Christmas, and for everyone a time of joy, celebration and rest.