Christmas Message from our Bishop Elect

To the clergy and people of the United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney:

Good news of great joy for all people.

I am taking a moment between carol services and home visits to send you greetings and assurance of my prayers as we come to the celebration of Christmas.

Preparing for the hospitality offered in this season, in our churches and in our homes, is particularly demanding. There is just so much to do. Our friends and neighbours are welcome any time of the year, but at Christmas they are very likely to come and join us. Friends and strangers will worship with us, and together we will hear the story of Christ’s nativity and sing again carols we know so well.

Preparing carefully for the Christmas services across the Diocese – the music, the preaching, the prayers, the flowers, the welcome – is important, and some of you will be feeling the burden of the responsibility of this. My hope and prayer is that you find some moments to hear for yourself once again ‘good news of great joy’, and know and celebrate that God is indeed with you. May your joy be infectious, and the good news of God’s love spill from you into your communities.

A very happy Christmas to you all.

Canon Anne Dyer

Bishop-elect, United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney.