The Pointer December 2020 - January 2021
Rector The Rt Rev Darren McCartney 028 4175 3497 suffragan1@gmail.com
The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore This year, there has been very little talk about the switching on of the Christmas Lights. I can understand the concern organisers have about bringing large crowds of people together when we are still within the grip of Covid 19. The radio however has been upbeat and quite excited about the approaching Christmas season. Perhaps, like me, you find the Christmas Lights give us a little lift, in what for some, is a somewhat challenging time? Many people are feeling under pressure, the pressure that the changing regulations bring, as governments try to respond to the changing landscape that comes with Covid 19. Others face pressure to purchase gifts for family and friends. I wish to share two short reflections. The first is: try not to get yourself into debt over Christmas. Why? The chances are that in bowing to wider societies demands of showing supposed love to our family and friends, all we do is feed into a society and culture of expectations and demands met, the thinking that says, “If you really love me you will buy or meet my expectations and demands.” So, purchasing that really expensive gift may not after all have the desired effect. You may experience something of the disinterest and ingratitude that I mentioned above. I wonder have you experienced such a feeling? As I write I think of God’s gift to us in His Son, the greatest gift ever given to humankind and I am struck by humanities lack of interest and ingratitude in and for this gift. The second of my reflections has to do with the Christmas Lights and how they brighten the darkness of the shops, streets and even the faces of those hustling and being hustled. If you are a Christian, Holy Scripture makes it very clear that we are to shine! We are to shine as Christ’s disciples, being light in a dark world. I wonder, as people look at us what do they see? I wonder do we cause people to praise and
glorify our Father in Heaven as they see us shining through our ‘good works’ Matthew 5:16. I don’t think I would be the first to say that people work us out, not so much by what we say, but rather, by how we live our lives. In closing, it has been a tough year, a very different year, yet you have continued to faithfully meet, online and then when church opened for public worship, many in person. You have continued to support the church and you have supported one another and for this I give thanks. This has been a real encouragement and I thank you for that. I am also thankful for the wonderful country that we live in and the many blessings that we benefit from having a stable government, wonderful health and education services, great infrastructure and shops that have shelves stocked with produce. We are so blessed in so many ways. I have asked that the above picture be included and I think it is a beautiful reminder that a simple Christmas can be a special Christmas. Blessings this Christmas Season +Darren