For us in Northern Ireland, all those factors have been exacerbated this year by disruption on our streets, difficulties for businesses and for some, a sense of loss of cultural identity.
‘Where is God in all of this?’ is a question many are asking.
One of my favourite pages in the Bible is a page which says absolutely nothing: the blank page between the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is a page which represents many years when it was not clear where God was or what he was doing.
The truth of Christmas, which we know with hindsight, is that he was putting in place his biggest ever plan for the world: the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ.
My message for Christmas AD 2012 is quite simply this: When there is a blank page in our lives or our community, when God seems distant, never forget Christmas AD 1!
God has not forgotten us. He is still at work quietly but firmly behind the scenes.
That’s worth affirming and celebrating at a challenging and difficult time like this.
+Harold
Down & Dromore