The Bishops’ Christmas Message 2024

A letter from the Bishops of Lincoln, Grimsby and Grantham, to the whole Diocese of Lincoln

Dear Friends,

Like many of you, we have been singing ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’ during Advent. This hymn picks up words from the ancient verses used at Evening Prayer before and after the Magnificat. These so-called ‘O Antiphons’ tell us the names by which Jesus will be known: Wisdom, Adonai (Lord), Root of Jesse, Key of David (both referring to Jesus’ earthly family), Oriens (Dayspring – light), King of the Nations and Emmanuel (God-with-us). In setting out the names for Jesus, the antiphons remind us of the scale of intervention that God makes in the life of the world through the birth of the Christ Child.

It is our prayer that all of us, this coming Christmas, may find hope, encouragement, strength and joy in our celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas 2024 looks dark. Horrors have been uncovered in Syria; violence still stalks Israel, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank, not to mention so many other places in the world. Thousands of people are moving in search of safety and security. Populations across the globe are living with the impact of violent storms, famine and drought – the consequences of climate change. Global political systems seem unstable, the mood of many people is volatile, and the cost of living is frightening. Churches of all denominations are being confronted with the dreadful reality of neglect, abuse, and cover-up – our own very much included. Are our actions adequate to the challenges we face? Is our theology fit for our task of being disciples together in the twenty-first century? Where is the light?

We look towards this Christmas very aware of our humanity and very mindful of our need for hope and for salvation– that difficult word that really means deliverance.

However, we also look towards this Christmas with deep gratitude for the faithfulness of God’s people in Greater Lincolnshire, and for the ministry and service offered by so many in this extraordinary diocese. Whether in formal or informal ways, Christmas will be celebrated in churches, chaplaincies, schools, colleges and homes by God’s people. And you will show the love, generosity, care and costly good-neighbourliness that mark you out as followers of Jesus. Thank you for this and thank you for all you do and all that you are, in his service. His light is and always will be with us, in 2024 and beyond.

Please pray for us, as we pray for you, and may we all find our hearts opened again by the birth of Jesus Christ, through which God intervenes in love to bring a new beginning to all that is created.

Yours ever in Christ,

+Stephen, +David and +Nicholas

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