Newark Congregational Church

This year the Newark Advertiser asked me, along with some other leaders of Christian Churches in the town, to provide some words for a Christmas Message, This is what I wrote. It appeared in today’s edition (24/12/2025).

Mark

Each year Christmas brings with it the familiar stories regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. We love to hear about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the angels and the kings that make up the traditional narrative of the nativity, all leading to the birth of a baby, as the children sing ‘Away in a Manger.’

But we shouldn’t just leave the baby there. That baby grew up to be the most important person who ever lived.

In later life Jesus would say that at the heart of his message was the need to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. It is right that we should demonstrate our love to others, but it is easy to overlook the need to love ourselves and be comfortable with what we are.

The Christmas story is one of inclusion. The baby attracts people who are local and poor (the shepherds) but also those from distant lands who are wealthy (the kings). The angel said ‘I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’

Whoever you are, and whatever you are like, the Good News of Christmas is that the message of Jesus is for absolutely everyone, including you.