December 2009/January 2010
The Rectory, Mickleham

I wonder how many of us have already said ‘I can’t believe it is nearly Christmas again.’ Time does fly and with that fact comes an increasing awareness of the importance of the present. Life lived with a constant reference to the future is an existence that misses out on so much, including the satisfaction of having used the present to greatest effect. ‘Live this day as if it were your last’ is not a pious platitude, but the key to a good life if we also take seriously our commitment to others, rather than always putting our own selfish interests above theirs.

The events that we, Christians, recall at this time are all about the importance of living less selfish existences, inspired by the life of a man who from the start identified with the less fortunate. Born not in a place of great comfort, as those who anticipated his coming had confidently prophesied, but in anout-house surrounded not by the trimmings of privilege but the trappings of homelessness. A man who went on to spend much of his life keeping company with social outcasts not society figures and whose selflessness finally caused such irritation that he suffered the death of a common criminal.

Christmas celebrates this man’s birth, in the hope that our lives reflect his in the present.

Thank you for setting these celebrations in motion by the collection of shoe boxes, now on their way to different parts of the world, where they will be received with great excitement by children for whom this may be the first and only present this Christmas. They are great symbols of our concern and compassion.

There is a wonderfully diverse range of events to continue our celebrations, including Carol Singing at two of our local pubs on Friday 18th December, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 20th followed by mince pies and mulled wine at the Rectory, a Carol Party on Monday 21st in the Village Hall. Finally the Christmas services, details of which you should all receive in the form of a Christmas card, including our ‘live’ nativity on Christmas Eve at the Bethlehem barn.

I trust we shall all find something to enjoy with others within our community in the coming weeks.

Finally, on a more sombre note, we have had an incident in the community which I found very disturbing. A much loved family pet was injured by an air gun pellet, with the result that it has had to lose a leg. The vet also reported that a second pellet was lodged close to the animal’s kidney. This injury must have been malicious, and could have been even more serious. If any one can throw any light on the incident, perhaps you could let me know as we need to address the issue before anything more happens.

The event occurred in Mickleham in the Old London Road at the end of October.

Meanwhile I wish you all a very Happy and peaceful Christmas.

With every good wish
David Ireland

Please note: The Bishop of Dorking is to attend a special Service of Thanksgiving for the completed programme of building works at St Michael’s on Sunday February 28th NOT January as previously publicised. We hope as many people as possible will join us for this special occasion.