Christmas Message from the Methodist President - The Rev. Donald P Ker

Shaken Foundations

For many people in Ireland 2009 has been a testing year. Foundations have been shaken in church and state. There are still forces and tensions in our society which could drive us apart if we, through design or negligence, allow them. At times it has seemed that we in Ireland have lost our way. The old Advent hymn, which calls on God to ‘cheer our spirits' and ‘disperse the gloomy clouds of night', rings especially true.

How shall we use this crisis? Where our struggles have forced us to take an honest look at our lives, values and culture, and to ask for a fresh sense of God's direction for us, the crisis will not have been wasted. The good news of Christmas is that God has not abandoned us to our confusion and shame.

If we pretend that we are all right as we are then Christmas may disappoint, as a routine mid-winter festivity. If we recognise our need of help we may then discover help close at hand - a light shining in the darkness. God comes among us, one with us, to help us redirect our lives and discover new purpose and joy.

My hope and prayer is that you will discover Christ afresh this Christmas, and so experience peace and goodwill in unexpected ways.