Give thanks you can shout out 'Merry Christmas', says Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness
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Bishop Mark Strange of Moray, Ross and Caithness, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, delivers his festive message:
There are many ways to greet people at Christmas, we have the religious, “blessed nativity to you” in some places it is “happy holiday” and for many it is “Merry Christmas”.
I am also very aware of my friends of other faiths who may also be celebrating important moments in their religion at this time of year.
Why so many greetings?
It is because we are a diverse community, even here in the Highlands.
We live in communities that have welcomed incomers for years and despite what some political leaders may suggest, I hope we continue to offer such a welcome.
This means that as we approach Christmas then we are not always thinking and experiencing this time in the same way.
At Midnight Mass in the Cathedral, I will be praying and giving thanks for the birth of Jesus. Why? Because I am a Christian.
Those who are maybe wandering along the riverside at the end of a Christmas night out will offer me a “Merry Christmas” to welcome what is a family holiday and a special time of rejoicing in the depth of winter.
And there will be those who want to acknowledge community at this time without any religious overtones, “Happy Holiday” they will offer.
How will I respond, with a smile of my own “Have a joyous time” and leave it at that.
I cannot understand those who will turn such greetings into an argument, simply give thanks that people wish to greet you at all.
We are blessed to live in a country that is largely peaceful but are so very aware of the many places around the world that are not, places where at this Christmastide there will be no peace.
I will receive greetings from friends in Bethlehem and Gaza on Christmas Day, but there will no respite from fear.
The Jewish community in Israel struggled to celebrated Hanukkah in the face of such horror perpetrated on them and in fear for their loved ones taken hostage.
The Orthodox Church Communities that meet here in Inverness will celebrate Christmas with the thoughts of the war in Ukraine and along the Channel coast people will offer prayer as they wait in the dark to cross the channel.
So please, this Christmas time give thoughts and if you pray, prayers for those who are living in great sadness and great fear.
Give thanks that you in your street, in your city can shout out “Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a Blessed Nativity” and apart form the occasional “Bah Humbug” the reply will be “Have a great time.”
