Christmas 1961
The Vicarage, BLACKMORE,
Essex.
December, 1961
Dear Friend,
We begin to find that the
writing of an annual Christmas letter is not the easiest thing to do. Looking
at the four previous efforts which have been sent out from Blackmore it is a
little difficult to maintain originality. There remains pre-eminently our
desire to send you greetings, to tell of our well-being and to send a thought
from out of the Holy Scriptures.
In our Parish things continue
in the pattern established and as indicated in earlier letters. We have
introduced a parish magazine entitled "Friends". It appears quarterly
and seems to be meeting a need. At least it affords the Vicar a means of
speaking regularly to all his people. Another venture is the monthly Family
Service, aimed at reaching young parents with young children. Numbers have
grown steadily throughout the year and it is encouraging to feel that for the
most part the service is attracting those who do not attend church at any other
time.
Repairs to the church fabric
continue. We have raised about £5,000 and spent £4,500. We shall need as much
again before the church is as it should be. Such an interesting and ancient
building, with all its hallowed and historical associations, deserves our care.
Although a year has passed we
feel not a day older. A loving heavenly Father has crowded our lives with
blessing and given us a sense of reward as we have pressed on in Christian
service.
Among other good things, the
year has given us the New English Bible. The following is the rendering of
Hebrews 9. 26 & 28: "Christ has appeared once and for all at the
climax of history to abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself … and will appear
a second time … to bring salvation to those who are watching for him".
We will commemorate at
Christmas the first appearing of our Saviour, when God showed in the person of
his Son, not only the perfection of humanity, but his will to redeem men, by
the sacrifice of his Son, from a world corrupted through sin and condemned on
that account.
Our recalling of his first
appearing ought, also, to bring to mind his second appearing. This is the
promise of God. Christ will appear a second time to those who are watching and he
will complete in them the salvation which has already begun in their believing
and expectant hearts. It is our hope and prayer that all who read this letter
will be found in such company.
There remains the third reason
for this letter - that we might send you greetings. We are so conscious of the
wealth of friendship with which we have been favoured that we find it one of
our chief joys to remember in a special way, at this season, all who are dear
to us by ties of nature and friendship. We send our affectionate good wishes
and pray that you may have a holy, happy Christmas followed by a New Year
filled with the loving provision of our Heavenly Father.
HILDA and MONTAGUE H. KNOTT.
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