A dark shadow has been cast over the Christmas celebrations by the tragic death of the husband of one of the staff at Albury School: Carol Brace-Day’s husband has been killed in a road accident.

Our deepest condolences are with her and Zara, her young daughter, and all the rest of her children and family. The greeting of “Happy Christmas” seems a little hollow at such times.  I was pondering over this as I write my Christmas cards. Each year there are some friends who have faced personal loss or suffering during the previous twelve months. I am thinking of my dear friends whose daughter has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer; and an aunt whose husband died a few months ago: “Happy Christmas” needs to be tempered by sensitivity to their true feelings.

A different greeting must be sent; yet we want especially at this time to reach out to them and express our concern and sympathy. 2009 has not been a good year for many people. I need hardly remind of the monetary crisis which has caused many to lose their employment and even their homes, and many more to fear for the future; the war in Afghanistan bringing death and suffering for some, and anxiety for us all; the natural disasters of climate change around the world, even threatening our own country; the crisis in democracy through the MP’s expenses issue.

Although there have been good things too, and real achievements, perhaps the majority of us will look with some relief and hope to a new year and a fresh decade. As Christians we are people with hope, a hope which is founded upon our trust in the goodness of God. It is not a hope we can articulate easily or comfortably to a grieving widow or an anguished parent, nor a hope that hides its face from disaster; but it has deep and strong foundations in Christ. Like a flower blossoming in a stony place, this hope struggles into the light and gives us courage to move into an unknown future.

Chris Boulton

My aunt, who is ninety four on Advent Sunday (November 29th) is coming to join us at the Rectory as we celebrate Christmas and Epiphany. She will take part in most activities, but some are just too much for her.

Wanting to give presents, (even though relations and friends would not expect them), but unable to go shopping for long periods, the family suggested that together we buy some things “on line”. Unable to write all her huge number of cards by hand, I suggested that we contact some of them by email, especially those abroad. It would be new technology coming to the aid of the older generation.

Wow, hard to believe! As I am writing this, a knock at the door from special delivery: my aunt has sent me my Christmas present! She is miles ahead of me. I have not even sent her a birthday card yet: I bet she is already writing her Christmas cards. It just shows that we have so much to learn from the elderly, from their grace and love, even in infirmity.

This time last year I was travelling through the desert regions of Namibia. Leaving the more fertile area of the Cape, we journeyed across long, dirt roads (I shall never complain about the Hertfordshire potholes again!), towards Windhoek and then the Skeleton Coast.

I returned today from taking communion to a man in hospital. The Chaplain had already been to visit; but for very particular reasons I was asked to do the service. The nurses were all very welcoming and helpful to someone not familiar with all the hospital routines and requirements.

A very mournful looking Andy Hornby, former chief executive of HBOS, said “sorry” before a Treasury Committee. He moved from ASDA to lead the Bank in 1999, and in 2008 aged 42, resigned on a salary with bonuses of £1.93 million.