CAPTION: The Archangel Gabriel told the virgin Mary that she was going to carry the Son of God (not via email)
Exclusive: Leaked Email from the Archangel Gabriel
This Christmas we are able to bring you an exclusive ‘Leaked Email from the Archangel Gabriel’, courtesy of our own Bishop of Plymouth, The Right Rev’d Nick McKinnel.
My fellow Angels,
We have a problem in our favourite county of Devon this year. Miserable weather, economic worries, weary people and Covid restrictions are obscuring those glad tidings of great joy that we once announced to those shepherds on the hillside outside Bethlehem.
Forget the “Boris saves Christmas” stuff. It is up to us to act. Here is your mission:
Remind our friends there that “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Let them discover the joy of simplicity, the pleasure of sharing and the satisfaction of seeing the happiness of others … without spending more than they can afford.
Their national media is full of gloomy experts and dire predictions. We need to draw attention to the endeavours of carers and health workers, delivery drivers and shop workers, teachers and emergency workers, the real heroes of Christmas.
We sang about peace on earth all those years ago. They need to hear it again. Some are fearful of going out, others frustrated at having to stay in, all are grumbling about their leaders. Help them to hear once more the call at Christmas to care for the lonely, comfort the sad, and support those for whom life is difficult, so that they think more about others than themselves.
Much as you might want to help their football team (and well done in securing a new manager for them so quickly), that is beyond the mandate given to us by the Almighty. But you may help them find joy in sport, pleasure in music, refreshment on the moor or by the sea, and the chance to enjoy all the gifts given to humanity.
Encourage families to laugh together, neighbours to care for each other, churches to worship with joyful praise, strangers to wish one another a Merry Christmas, and all to wonder at the child in the manger who is Christ the Lord.
In fact, let wonder be our gift to them this Christmas, that they may wonder afresh at the humility of the Son of God who enters their humanity so that they can join with us in singing “Glory to God in the highest”.
With Christmas greetings to you all,
Gabriel (Archangel)
