REFLECTIONS

Maurice Chevalier said, “Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.” Well at sixty I don’t consider I’m old, but I do agree with the sentiment of what he said.

As I write this article I’m still recovering from the most amazing birthday celebrations I have ever experienced. Celebrations that took me on patrol with my son in a police car in London during the rush hour, and then on to play golf over two days at a very nice hotel golf and country club in Hampshire. My daughter and the children took grandpa for a day out to Centre Parcs where (amongst many other things) I ‘body surfed’ the ‘open air’ rapids on a very, very cold day (it was indeed a sight to behold!). After a third birthday party celebration at St Andrews when we got home Poppy and Harriet asked, “Grandpa are you going to have any more parties?” Still to come as I write is a trip to Rome next week, and a Hot Air Balloon ride sometime within the next twelve months.

I have been overwhelmed by the number of cards and good wishes received from so many of you. The Devizes section party at St Andrews was truly a wonderful occasion. I do wonder why God has blessed me so much in allowing me (and Babs) to share in your lives! Thank you so very much!!

All this excitement and celebration has been against the background of much anxiety as the global economic crisis has gathered momentum.  I find the words of Jesus in the Sermon on Mount to have a particular poignancy about them at the moment,” Do not store up for your selves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, where thieve break in and steal. But store up for your selves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt.6:19ff. NIV). In whom do I put my trust?

It’s not all doom and gloom. In my opinion we have had across the pond arguably the most exciting and historic election to have ever taken place. Barack Obama has galvanized millions of people to vote, he has inspired thousands of young people to take an interest in politics, and he has brought a sense of ‘Hope’ at a time of great despair and disappointment. Only time will tell if he can deliver what he has promised with such passion and eloquence. I fear however that the expectations people have of this exciting charismatic young man may be too overwhelming.

As Christians, regardless of our political persuasion, we must pray for Barack Obama and his family, pray that God will bless his presidency and give him the wisdom, the discernment and the grace he will need in the months and years to come.

Well it’s December and we can’t get away from birthdays can we. Many economists are predicting a low key run up to Christmas this year in the shops as people’s resources are under pressure. It gives the Christian church a unique opportunity through our carol services, our crib services and all our celebrations to speak words of ‘Hope’ into the uncertainty and anxiety of many people’s lives.

The message of our Christmas celebrations must be that the birth of Jesus, God’s coming into the world is to offer us a treasure that will never rot or rust, treasure that is not dependant on interest rates, or stocks & shares, but dependant on God’s everlasting and never ending gracious love for us!

Every Blessing, Chris

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