Vicar's Letter

The Prince of Peace

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

My Dear Flock, 

I don’t want to hear from anyone at the start of 2026 that you are doing “Dry January” – for that is sin! January is not a time for misery, dieting and relief after a busy few days, it is a time for great joy and merriment. Christmass is not a day, firstly it is an octave, so 8 days; some follow the tradition to Epiphany of the 12 days; but in fact Christmass is 40 days, it lasts until Candlemass on the 2nd February and every moment of it should be spent rejoicing in the Incarnation, the Word-made-flesh, the Christ child. (I actually keep my Christmass tree up until the 2nd February – that’s up to you). 

So when would be a good time to diet, or fast as is more appropriate to the life of the Christian. Before we get to Christmass we must live out Advent, the preparation time – it’s not quite as penitential as Lent I never feel, and certainly not as long, but it does have a feel of expectation, so in just these few weeks before we get to Christmass, abstain from luxuries as much as you wish, for ecstasy and everlasting felicity are coming. 

What you must not abstain from is time with God, time in prayer, time with the scriptures, a little bit of retreat time, a little more time with Jesus, a little time in silence, a little in preparation, time to watch and time to wait on the Lord…

Why do I tell you this? I tell you this because I work in His name. But I tell you also that one greater than I, one greater than John the Baptist even, is coming into our world. The long-expected Saviour is on his way! Where will you be? I simply come in ‘the name of’ the Prince of Peace, to remind you to wait and to watch.

As we travel through the journey of Advent and the wreath of candles, we recall the themes of the Four Last Things – Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell – traditional themes for Advent meditation. We especially remember the Patriarchs, the Prophets, John the Baptiser and the Blessed Virgin Mary, before we reach the celebration of the Christ child in the Nativity. And if you pray only one prayer each day of Advent, then pray, “Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus”. 

Advent is for fasting and waiting – January and Christmass is for feasting. 

Awake O sleeper and rise from the dead, for Christ will give you light. 

The Mass of Christ is coming! (and when it arrives, a very Merry Christmass to you all)

 

Blessings,

Your Shepherd

Fr Tommy