Why is it so cold at Christmas? Because it’s Decembrrrrr!
Here we are once again with one of our season’s favourite times. Our ‘Tarn’ all lit up pointing to the light of the world – Jesus Christ: our Saviour, born to save the world.
Yet we see the actions of the President of a Turkish club who with a toxic attitude punched a referee, causing the Turkish Football Federation to suspend all league games. Or the 200 fans that clashed with police officers and stewards who were injured in serious violence outside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Waldstadion in November. Or the violent clashes that erupted in Naples, Italy ahead of their Champions League match in March. There has been a series of football violence everywhere. Even as we look into the situation within the Middle East and in Ukraine, where people’s empathy is weaponised and used against each other. It saddens our hearts, and it all reminds us even more that ‘we are all free to choose what we want but are not free from the consequences of our choices’.
But then again, all this seems so familiar even in the Bible 2000 years ago, when Jesus – conceived by the Holy Spirit – born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, had to flee in fear for their lives and lived as refugees in Egypt to escape the killing of children. And how they came back home safe after a brief waiting period.
In this climate of ongoing chaos, let’s give room for prayer for the peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, and pray too for healthy rivalry within the football world over this festive period. Let us also continue with the support of our Club, the hard work put in by our teams, staff, manager and all behind the scenes. For the good days that give us happiness, the bad days giving us experience, the worst days giving us lessons and the best days giving us memories! Let’s keep moving forward.
Christmas is about the birth of God's son – Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn't change from year to year. This is good news worth celebrating! And I wish all the fans, owners, members of staff and the players a very blessed Christmas time and a successful 2024. Thank you to Khaled El-Ahmad for his support for my chaplaincy and I wish him all the best for the future. I’ve now completed a year at the Club, taking over from our former beloved chaplain, Peter Amos who served 27 years and thank him for his mentorship and support. I am blessed to be with our Club on this journey.
And If Christmas time is hard for you, remind yourself that you’re not alone with how you’re feeling; and that you’ve survived every single holiday season in your life… you will survive this one too.
‘Emmanuel’ meaning: God with us.
COYR!
