Christmas Pastoral Letter 2025

If there was only one word to describe Christmas, that word might be: anticipation. It evokes the feeling of waiting and excitement: children looking forward to gifts, families preparing to reunite, lights going up, and the general sense that something special is coming.

From the longing of the prophets to the humble waiting of Mary and Joseph, the story of Christmas is woven with expectant hearts, full of anticipation. All of creation seemed to hold its breath for the moment when God’s promise would be realised in human form through a baby born in a manger, our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is easy in the midst of all the glitz and sparkle to forget the real reason for Christmas, especially when we see shops reduce it to Xmas. It is easy to push Jesus out of the Christmas Narrative, whether we do it intentionally or not, let us put Christ back in to Christmas.

Today as we live in anticipation, not just of celebrations, traditions, family, gifts and lights, as great as they may be, let us look for Jesus’ continual coming into our lives every day of the year, not just Christmas. Each Advent and Christmas reminds us that God still enters into our world in unexpected ways: in acts of love, in quiet faith, and in the hope that light will overcome every darkness. May our waiting be filled with joy, and our hearts readied with love to receive Him anew.

Keep Jesus at the centre of Christmas, for He is the Reason for the Season. God bless you all.

Dates for your Diary

All services are Sundays @ 11am in Bloomfield Methodist unless stated otherwise

30th November 2025 : 1st Sunday in Advent : Local Preacher in Training Ms Judith Carson

Tuesday 2nd December, Thursday 4th December & Friday 5th December - Follow the Star

Friday 5th December 2025 @ 7.30pm: Installation Service for new minister in Bloomfield Presbyterian

7th December 2025 : 2nd Sunday in Advent (Holy Communion): Rev Leslie Spence & Mr Colin Houston

14th December 2025 : 3rd Sunday in Advent (Little Blooms) : Sunday School Superintendent Mrs Ethna Cummings

14th December 2025 @ 3pm: Quiet & Gentle Service in St Donard’s Church of Ireland

(Joint Service St. Donard’s C.o.I. Bloomfield Presbyterian & Bloomfield Methodist)

21st December 2025: 4th Sunday in Advent: Mr Colin Houston

21st December 2025 @ 4pm: Carols by Candlelight: led by Local Preacher in Training Ms Judith Carson

Christmas Day 25th December 2025 @ 9.30am: (Christmas Jumpers are Optional) Mr Colin Houston

28th December 2025: Local Preacher Mr John Stothers, Knock Methodist

31st December 2025 @ 4pm: New Year’s Eve Last Light Service: Mr Colin Houston

4th January 2026: 1st Sunday in the New Year!!: Mr Colin Houston

11th January 2026: Covenant Service (Holy Communion): Rev Dr Janet Unsworth, Mrs Mary King & Mr Colin Houston