It is wonderful, at last, to be among you in Dorchester, to have moved into Herringston Road and to be slowly going through the process of unpacking and adjusting to living in a completely new context. I am beginning to find my way around the benefice, although I still rely heavily on my satnav to find places. Once lockdown is over, I am really looking forward to meeting many of you, although you will have to be patient with my ability to put together the right names and faces.
As we move towards our celebration of Christmas this year there will be many events and traditions that will have to be marked differently or may have to be missing altogether. However a less busy and frenetic approach to Christmas may gift to us more time to be still and contemplate the wonder and mystery of the coming season.
For a child has been born for us, a son has been given; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
God the creator loved creation so much that God wanted to come among us in the vulnerable form of a human baby born to a humble couple. Let that amazing reality resound in your hearts and may God bless you as you rejoice in the love that God has for you and for all humankind.