Ascension : BISHOP JOHN’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Internet Editor) 24.12.2009 (Article Archived on 07.01.2010)

The image of God’s goodness is light.

The Creator commands, “Let there be light” and the universe takes form.  At the birth of Christ light breaks forth in the midst of darkness – and John tells us that this darkness can never overcome this light of God’s presence.

Christmas is a time of light, joy and the singing of God’s praises, but in our time this is obscured by the destruction of our environment worldwide, by climate change, war, fighting, terrorism and the global economic meltdown.  Nearer home many on Ascension Island find little joy because they have lost their jobs and others fear they might be the next to lose theirs.  On St Helena there seems little to be joyful about too:  prices have reached an all time high and many can hardly afford to live.  The forces of the secular world and neo-colonialism seem to control us and we seem helpless and unable to resist them.  Our colonial masters have no regard for our culture and even want to undermine our belief in “Christian family values”.  We have a plethora of experts, advisors or consultants who want to solve our problems using a culture which is not ours.  They seem to fail to see that although we are British we are also St Helenian with a unique culture which is part of our identity.  Added to this is the frustration felt by all at the seemingly endless delays about fulfilling a promise made to build an airport.  The fears of those in business about the island’s economic decline made worse by the decision not to have the ship call at Walvis Bay next year and the resultant drop in tourism for next year because of the World Cup in South Africa and the lack of hotel accommodation there.  Many fear that this will have a knock on effect for the island and many may lose their jobs etc.  All making for a darkness that seems overwhelming.

But we need to remember that in the days of Mary and Joseph, the emperor Augustus believed power rested in his hands alone.  He decreed that “all the world” should be taxed and this obscure couple journeyed to Bethlehem to be registered.  But God had another purpose in history.  We now realize that thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities were acting unwittingly to fulfil prophecy and were used in God’s plan for the salvation of the whole human race.  As we find in Colossians 1.17 it is Christ and not the Emperor who is truly “before all things and all things are held together in him”.

The Message of Christmas is that the light of Christ still shines in the darkness that surrounds us and will not be overcome.  If we believe in him and trust him our salvation is assured and we will be transformed.

I leave you with these words from the Prophet Isaiah:

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government will be upon his shoulder

and his name will be called

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and

of peace there will be no end.”

May God richly bless you this Christmas and throughout the coming year and may the light of Christ be always before you.