Region's religious leaders tell of hopes for 2010

Dec 24 2009 The Journal

As the nation prepares to celebrate Christmas, the region’s religious leaders take a look at what the last year has tought us and their hopes for the next 12 months

Right Reverend Martin Wharton, Anglican Bishop of Newcastle

EARLIER this year in Bethlehem, I found myself holding a newborn baby in my arms.

He had been abandoned by his mother, found at the roadside, and taken to the Holy Family Hospital. There were many others like him in this hospital, which is funded entirely by donations from supporters. All of us present felt that we were witnessing something of a continuing miracle of dedication and love.

What stuck most in my mind was a remark made by the sister in charge, as we stood over an incubator. “All of this is so important” she said, “because the poorest deserve the best”.

They don’t deserve the best because they’ve earned it, or because they’ve worked for it. They don’t deserve what’s left when everyone else has had their fill. They deserve it simply because of their need and above all, because they are all children of God.

Our world is not organised on this basic principle – the principle of Christmas – and perhaps never will be. But what a transformation there would be if we acted on the truth that the poorest deserve the best.

The child I held in my arms that day had no merits and no achievements. He deserved the best in spite of having nothing but his helplessness.

But this isn’t new. It isn’t news. We’ve heard this before – for 2,000 years. We sing every Christmas about the poor helpless child of Bethlehem.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born in us today

The mystery of Christmas, the mystery of Jesus being born in a stable as a poor helpless baby, is the mystery of God’s gift of Himself to us. And as He gives us His precious gift, He waits for us to receive Him and then go and offer the same promise to everyone.

Have a very happy and blessed Christmas.

Page 2 - Hari Shukla, Vice Chairman of Newcastle Council of faiths (NCF) >>