Ministers December Message 2020
Dear Friends,
When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings on earth.
That is the sign of the promise which I am making to all living beings.”
Genesis 9:16-17
In last year’s December Good Neighbour, I wrote about a Rainbow Tree that was going to be created during Advent in our link building. The tree was made from bare branches that had fallen from larger trees in the manse garden. Everyone was invited to hang a rainbow coloured ribbon on the tree in remembrance of someone. What started out as bare branches soon became an array of coloured ribbons, each one remembering someone special.
The rainbow has become a familiar sight this year in windows across our community and it has become a symbol of hope during the coronavirus crisis. It, therefore, seems very appropriate that we have a Rainbow Tree again this year. Unfortunately, because of restrictions, it is not possible to put a tree inside the church building, but I thought we could use the very lovely laurel bush in the grounds of the church, beside the Jack McKinlay garden, for this purpose. In Christianity, the laurel is said to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus Christ so it seems very appropriate that we use the bush for our Rainbow Tree.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, everyone is invited to bring a rainbow coloured ribbon and tie it onto the tree to remember a loved one who has died and/or as a symbol of hope for the future. Please wear a mask and maintain a 2-metre distance from others and please feel free to invite your family, friends and neighbours to bring their own ribbon too.
In the week leading up to Christmas the Angels that people have been knitting and crocheting, during the past few weeks, will have a brief Christmas message of hope attached to them and they will be distributed around the Parish for people to find and keep. If you would like to help distribute the Angels they will be at the link building, ready to set out on their journey, on Monday 21st December from 10.30 am to 12noon.
As we continue to face the realities of living with the pandemic my wish is that we will hold fast to the promise given to us, and this world, through the birth of Jesus Christ and know the hope and love of God with us, this Christmas and into 2021.
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