December:
Christmas Joy for All People
We fear that we live in a world of increasing polarisation. Conflicts between and within nations play their part. The amplification of division and hostility by social media algorithms doesn’t help. Culture wars exacerbate matters further. Sometimes it feels like common ground is disappearing from underneath our feet like a sandbar being overwhelmed by the tide.
In such a climate, it’s good to return to the message that heralded the arrival of Jesus. ‘I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be for all people’ says that angel who announces the saviour’s birth (Luke 2:10). Jesus’ story quickly includes all types and sorts of humanity. From local shepherds to exotic visitors from afar. I wonder what the conversation was like as they all crammed into the stable to see the newborn child?
Jesus’s story quickly shows that not only is he for all people but that he needs all people. His family must have needed assistance when they fled as refugees to Egypt. Jesus must have needed help when his parents left him behind on a family outing to Jerusalem aged twelve. Jesus was constantly calling on and engaging with others as he went about his teaching and ministry.
What might counter the polarisation of our day? Amongst our greatest resource is to seek out the emotion that accompanied the news of the saviour’s birth – joy. When we encounter joy – from that cup winning goal to the marriage of much loved friends – such moments are never the time for division and enmity. We’re all far too busy shouting and hugging each other! The invitation of Christmas is to experience such joy afresh. Often, we see joy most obviously in children’s experience of the season. Might we seek it for ourselves too? For joy breaks down divisions, overcomes barriers, reminds us that we are one.
‘I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be for all people’ says the angel. A very merry and joyful Christmas to you all.
Michael Beasley
Bishop of Bath and Wells
January:
Time to Learn to Pray
By Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells
‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ In Luke’s Gospel it’s these words, spoken by the disciples, that cause Jesus to give them the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). Jesus says to his friends ‘When you pray say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
Many of us think that we should be able to pray automatically. And that if we can’t, it’s either because ‘it’s not our thing’ or because we’re failing. Yet in Luke’s Gospel, the disciples still need to ask Jesus how to pray, even after they’ve been knocking around with him for ages. So maybe we should give ourselves a break and accept that working out how to pray is not obvious and that all of us need to learn.
In 2026, I’m asking all of us across our diocese of Bath and Wells to make the year one of especial focus on prayer. I’m hoping we’ll all be able to say the words ‘Lord teach us to pray’ and that together we’ll all grow in our experience, understanding, insight and practice.
How can we learn about prayer? We have to make a start. We need to make some mistakes. We need to learn from others. It doesn’t happen in the abstract. Prayer is a ‘learning by doing thing’ where if we stick at it, we grow and change.
How might you learn to pray more this year? There isn’t a master plan designed to get everyone on their knees. Most action will happen locally where we can identify what we need, work out who can help us, and then get underway. Some simple resources designed to be helpful are being made available. More importantly, please do talk to your vicar or other church leaders about what might be possible where you are.
Together, let’s say these words in the year that is to come: ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ A very happy New Year to you all.