was so impressed by a review of a recently released film that I wanted to go and see it for myself. Mind you, given its violence I was a little hesitant. The real problem, however, was time and yet again failing to honour good intentions.

It’s not that we don’t have time to relax and enjoy together as a family, but you know how it so often is… This autumn has certainly been full of highlights. I enjoyed thoroughly our trip to Dublin and the opportunity to broadcast morning service live on RTE television to an Irish audience in the region of 70,000.

Like so many of you I have been absolutely thrilled by our new buildings and the wonderful opportunities they are now offering for outreach and development. Coming back into the refurbished Church with a Communion service conducted by David Bailie was a special highlight, and all the arrangements for the official opening were very exciting.

I have continued to progress the vacancy in Trinity, Bangor, which has been looking for a new minister. At the time of writing we have made considerable progress and are short-listing nominations. It has been a rewarding but demanding experience.

On the domestic front my father has been in hospital since the end of July recovering from a broken femur and several severe chest infections. Also we have been putting our second child through the rigours of school transfer procedure. So minor in the scheme of life and yet for some strange reason not without pressure!

On another subject Barbara and I have recently benefited from a Marriage Enrichment Course with a weekly meal for two and the opportunity to have quality time together! Details about this and other items above appear elsewhere in West Church News.

Back now to the film and a review by David Mitchell of the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland. It’s the year 2027 and Children of Men depicts terrorist bombs in cafes, uprisings in refugee camps, air strikes, travel restrictions, repression and despair. It’s set against a background of racism, gratuitous violence, climate change and a pervading sense of meaninglessness with all restraint having gone. Humanity has been stricken with universal infertility, meaning the world’s youngest person is now eighteen years old. Miraculously, however, a girl is pregnant and a child is to be born.

David Mitchell comments: “This is yet another major film with a clear Christian metaphor and despair doesn’t have the final word. If the infertility is the physical mark of mankind’s spiritual barrenness, into the world comes a miracle baby, born a poor and vulnerable refugee, with the power to restore faith in the future. In the most affecting scene of the film, the soft cries of this baby are enough to silence the guns of hundreds of soldiers and rebels locked in a frenzied fight to the death. Children of Men is a reminder not just of how bad the world could get, but how bad it actually is. But ultimately, there is a seed of hope which can and will overwhelm the world’s worst darkness.”

The Christmas story is alive and well after all. The hopes and fears of all the world are still met in the Bethlehem baby. May you know the joy of the risen Christ in your hearts this Christmas and always.

Agape!

Charles McMullen

The author

Charles McMullen is minister for West Church and his main passion is to help people discover the great love God has for them.

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