The Bishop of Oxford, Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft, has sent out his Christmas message which you can read exclusively in the Oxford Mail here: 

 

We all enjoy turning on the lights at Christmas. I love walking through the middle of Oxford and enjoying the warmth of the Christmas lights in the shopping centre.

In December, I love the lighting of the candles on the Advent crown Sunday by Sunday.

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I love the lights held high by tiny children at Christingle services.

Every day as the evenings close in, it’s good to draw the curtains and turning on the lights at home at the end of the day.

As I’m driving across Oxford in the evenings I really enjoy the Christmas lights on the outside of people’s houses. They make me smile.

There are some particularly good examples this year in Kidlington where I live. 

At the end of this year, the darkness in the world seems deeper than ever.

Covid has stretched us and hurt us. The war in Ukraine has been with us for most of this year and the terrible suffering there continues through the winter.

The cost of living crisis saps our energy and strength. We worry about the environment. We are at something of a crossroads in our national life.

Darkness is more than physical absence of light. Darkness can seep into the soul and strip away our hope and delight in everyday beauty and love. That’s why turning on the light is so important.

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No-one really knows at what time of year Jesus was born.

But I’m glad that Christians celebrate his birth just after the shortest day of the year and in the middle of winter (at least here in the in the northern hemisphere).

The difference Jesus makes in the world is like turning on the lights: a light which brings hope in place of despair, forgiveness in place of hatred; peace in place of strife.

But this kind of light isn’t the bright glare of a searchlight or the floodlights in a stadium.

This is the softest, most gentle kind of light: a candle flame, gently flickering; an oil lamp.

This is the kind of light which draws us nearer, to come and see rather than a beam which drives us back into the shadows. 

All across Oxfordshire this coming week, people will be celebrating Christmas by telling the story of the nativity.

The story of a young couple expecting their first child, the story of refugees far from home, of the birth of a king not in a palace but a stable.

It’s a story of light in the darkness.

The angels tell the shepherds on the hillside to go to Bethlehem in a chorus of joy. The wise men from the East are guided by a star, travelling by night.

In every place, church doors are open wide, lights are shining softly, waiting to welcome those who would come.

All of us are invited to come in, to sit, to listen to the beautiful hymns and carols, to peer into the stable, to wonder what this means.

People come to church at Christmas for many different reasons and in great numbers.

Some because we are regulars in church and our faith is at the centre of our lives. Some because we want to keep a connection with the faith which once guided us.

Some because we are staying with family or friends. Some because we are on our own. Some for the music and the readings.

Some because we want to take first steps across the threshold and explore the Christian faith for ourselves. Everyone is welcome.

The light shines in the darkness, says John. And the darkness has never overcome it. The gentle light which shines in every church at Christmas is a light which we can carry with us into every part of our city and county.

Every act of kindness, every gift to a foodbank, every act of care for a neighbour, every community connection lights another candle in the dark.

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As I’ve travelled across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire this year it has been inspiring to see so many community projects offering love and care to those most in need and binding neighbourhoods together. 

Schools and toddler groups, lunch clubs and advice centres are shining lights in dark places. 

May God bless you and your families this Christmas time and may you know the light which shines in the darkness and which will never be overcome. 

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF