^{Dear Friends,}

^{As I write this, Christmas is approaching relentlessly. It seems to have started earlier than ever this year, with the decorations, the party food in the supermarkets, and the endlessly repeated  awful Christmas songs. If I find it so irritating, what must be he effect on those who really dread the coming of Christmas: those who are seriously ill (or caring for someone in that situation); those who have been recently bereaved and are dreading the first Christmas without someone special;}

^{those who have lost their jobs during the year, for whom the  constant advertising of expensive consumer goods must be a painful reminder of their enforced  restraint; and those who are just lonely, depressed or unhappy. The gap between the impossible fantasy of 'the perfect Christmas' and the reality of many people's lives seems to get wider, and there are always some especially sad stories at this time of year, either in the national press or in our own local community. Christmas can be a very painful time.}

 

^{What difference does it all make? John Betjeman, in his famous poem about Christmas ('The bells of waiting Advent ring, the tortoise stove is lit again....')  asks – almost, I feel, with a sense of desperation -}

 

                ^{'And is it true? And is it true? This most tremendous tale of all,}

                ^{Seen in a stained glass window's hue, a baby in an ox's stall?}

                ^{The Maker of the stars and sea become a  Child on earth for me?'}

 

^{And is it true? For if it is......What? Not an instant improvement for the miseries of many in the world this Christmas; not an overnight cure for cancer, or hand-outs for all the poor, or a sudden reduction in greenhouse gases.}

 

^{But another poet, U.A. Fanthorpe, described the moment in history when Jesus Christ was born – the moment before B.C and A.D. - as the moment when 'before turned into after', the moment which did, somehow, make a difference. Not a difference of magical transformation, as in a spectacular pantomime, when Cinderellas become princesses; but the difference of knowing that we're not alone in a bleak universe – that God has reached out and touched us with the warm,  caring hand of a human being, in the person of his Son, sharing our life in this world, with all its joys and sorrows. Life lived according to the teaching of this 'God with us' will have some meaning and purpose, even if it's troubled and far from perfect; and those who have decided to live by the values and teachings which this Christmas child brought with him have so often been the ones who have made a difference in the world – for his sake.}

 

^{Is it true? For if it is, I think I can put up with the dreadful songs ('Let it snow') and adverts and the carols I don't like (yes, not even vicars like singing endless Christmas carols), and the lists of jobs and the daft hats and silly party games – because if listen to the story carefully enough, and let it make an impact on my life, it make just make a difference. And my 'before' might become a new kind of 'after.'}

 

^{I hope Christmas brings hope for you, whatever that hope might be for, and that it will make a difference; and that 2010 will be the better for the way you have celebrated Christmas 2009.}

 

^{Wishing you blessings at Christmas and in the New Year – hope you will come and celebrate with us (and don't forget new Year's Eve – join us for bells and bubbly in Wraxall church at midnight, when 'before becomes after'.}

 

^{With love,}

^Rosey

 

 

^{THE OPENING OF THE CROSS TREE CENTRE}

 

^{I dare say that others will write on this topic in this month's magazine, but I wanted to put on record my great gratitude to those who worked so tirelessly to enable the opening of the Cross Tree Centre to take place on schedule on Sunday 6th December.}

^{Thanks to our Architect, George Chedburn whose flair and vision have resulted in such a}

^{fine building, which features not only the beautifully restored the old schoolroom, but combines with it the fine modern design of the new extension. Thanks to Wrencon, our builders, and especially Greg, who was on site daily,always ensuring that the workmanship was good. (Have you noticed, for example, the carefully restored old wooden doors, with new wood 'grafted' in to old – superb craftsmanship). And thanks in particular to Ytony Wellingham, whose expertise as a professional architect himself has been invaluable to the planning team over the three and a half years that this project has taken; Tony has given a huge amount of his time with great generosity, and we are enormously grateful for his guidance. He must have broken a record in the sending of e-mails – so assiduous have been his efforts on our behalf, to ensure that everything was as it should be.}

^{A huge thank you to the fund-raising team, so ably and inspirationally led by David Shattock, who was so clearly the right man for the job of spearheading the campaign. David, you have pumped so much enthusiasm into everybody, that you must be exhausted – thank you. Peter Sapsed,  John & Margaret Stevens, have also worked incredibly hard in getting in all the grants which made this possible – thank you. Bill Knight has written the fascinating book (What did you learn in school today?) whixh tells the story of education in Wraxall; and Carol Sapsed's painstakingly recorded memories of school days in Wraxall beautifully complements the book – thanks to all who contributed. The embroidery team have been working hard on a visible reminder of the life of our parish, to be on the window seats of the meeting room. Thank you to you all! Sunday 6th was a magnificent, happy day of celebration, with our Bishop (Peter Maurice) and MP (Liam Fox) adding to the sense of occasion – and weren't we fortunate in having that glorious sunshine!}

 

^{Now, a new future is beginning; Alistair Henderson, who will chair the Cross Tree Management Committee, is collecting ideas for how the new building can be used.}

^{We hope that this will be the start of many new opportunities for life in our community.}

^{A new building for a new decade......}

 

 

 

 

^{'A PILGRIMAGE IN INDIA', 3rd  Feb, 7.30pm, Cross Tree Centre}

 

^{Many of you have asked about my time in India last month – which was indeed a fascinating experience, which I should love to share with you. I'd like to invite you to an evening in our new Cross Tree Centre, on Wednesday 3rd  February, at 7.30pm, when I'll tell you all about it and show some slides. There will be some light refreshments (with a gentle Indian flavour!) and an opportunity to ask questions. There will be a small charge (￡4), and proceeds will go to a village community we visited which has great needs (eg no running water or basic hygiene),which I hope to support. All are welcome.}