Christmas 1967
19 - CHRISTMAS - 67
Dear Friends,
The Vicarage, Blackmore,
Essex.
As is usual with our annual
Christmas Letter we sit awhile and cogitate seeking some inspiration for the
opening lines. It is our custom to compose the letter in October in time for
copies to reach overseas destinations in time for Christmas by surface mail.
This is written on the second day of December so it will be airmail for some.
All this year we have been
trying to catch up. From early February till the end of April I was out of
action through a slipped disc and Hilda has found life a real struggle.
Nevertheless our times of testing have allowed us to see how wonderfully God
has provided through our friends both in and out of the parish.
Last year we wrote of the
changing face of our parish and the change continues as regards buildings and
newcomers. In some respects however it has been a stand-still year. Nothing
more has been done in respect of the restoration of our ancient church,
although things are on the move now. We still have only two out of five new
classrooms and ancilliary buildings of our new primary school. This seems to
have resulted from "the Squeeze". Neither have we been able to start
the new village hall, possibly for the same reason.
Church life in the parish
continues largely as usual. Our parish magazine "Friends" is
delivered to each home as far as we can ensure this. We hope the majority are
read. This gives me a chance to minister through the printed page. We hold a
baptism service each month. Usually the church is comfortably full. This, and
the monthly family service, affords me the best opportunities for the ministry
of the Word. Otherwise, whilst our services are better attended than in many
country churches, the size of the congregations prove that the worship of God
and the ministry of his word have little appeal to the majority. A highlight of
the year was the holding of Deanery Lent Services in a different church each
week. Large congregations gathered to hear the Diocesan, Bishop John Tiarks who
preached on each occasion.
For the first time in ten
years our Garden Fete, held at Jericho Priory in June, was marred by incessant
rain. Over the August Bank Holiday large numbers attended the Flower Festival
during which friends presented a delightful concert of chamber music. In church
was a display of kneelers which a group of our talented ladies are
embroidering. The harvest services and supper were joyous occasions in their
turn and our year will close over a new ecclesiastical year already begun with
the Seasons of Advent and Christmas.
While in some respects the
cycle of events seems unchanging one may discern shadows of a sombre hue
creeping over the events of our time. It makes news that China is catching up
in the nuclear missile race. Vietnam has agonised through a generation of
warfare that has achieved nothing but loss of life and material impoverishment.
Rich nations have problems as numerous and complex as nations that are poor. A
massive unrest seems to grip the world and escape seems not to lie in either
wealth or poverty, strength or weakness, health or sickness, wisdom or folly,
youth or old age. Yet as the same sea will rage where tossed by the tempest and
at the same time lie placid in some sheltered inlet so in the sea of humanity,
tossed by the exingencies of our time, will be found those restful souls who
pursue an untroubled course.
The Prophet Jeremiah was given
a word to his people from God which points the way to a state of rest -
"Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the
good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls." This is an
invitation to look to past experiences and note that righteousness exalts a
nation but sin is a reproach to any people. As with nations so with
individuals. The person who fails to take note of the good way which has
trodden by men of worth from ancient times, will find no in this restless
world. The Prophet links a state of real with the good way.
God the Son, whose birth into
this world as Jesus, Babe of Bethlehem, we commemorate at the Season of Christ
declared - "I am the way", "learn from me and you will find rest for your souls."
This is our prayer for : that over this Christmastide and through the corning
year may enjoy the rest that stems from God Eternal, by the 'of the Holy Spirit
over your mind and heart, and by walking in that good way that leads to
fullness in Christ.
In sending our affectionate
greetings we express the hope that the season of joy and goodwill which prompts
this letter to you will also stir you to send your news to us.
Hilda and Montague H. Knott.
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