The Civic and Parish Church of Bournemouth

A Christmas Message from the Bishop of Winchester

A Christmas message from the Bishop of Winchester

The birth of Jesus – here and now


At a particular time, in a particular place, Jesus was born – sent by God to save the world he had created and loved. For God, who created the heavens and the earth, to confine himself to such a humble beginning is one of the things that continues to amaze those who hear the story. 

No one, except a tiny few – shepherds and seers – paid any attention to Jesus’ birth. Yet this year, around the world, people of every age and from every ethnicity and nation, will celebrate this event because Jesus has changed their lives. The baby in Bethlehem was the beginning of everything Jesus has done – from the life we read about in the bible, to the lives of billions of people who have recognised that God has drawn close to them in Jesus.

That is why you will hear Christians repeat the words “To us a child is born; to us a Saviour is given”, as if those historical events happened every year at Christmas. The story of Jesus’ birth is our story – what happened then and there is the greatest thing that God has done here and now. The baby of Bethlehem is the risen Lord Jesus who offers us new life, a life we can share with others, and the hope of a world transformed by the love of God.

The Right Reverend Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester