Community

A Christmas message

Published

12 years ago

January 6, 2014

From Father Paul, St Francis Church, Milford Haven

THERE are many important festive seasons and vacation periods every year especially among the Christians around the globe. Each season celebrated has its origin, purpose, value and meaning attached to it. This again defines the pace of such celebration, hence the glamour and tempo of each celebration varies from place to place and from person to person.

For the Christians and those with Christian background, the month of December remains very special. First, for the non-Christians it marks the end of the year that creates a new hope and expectation for a new year to come. But for the Christians, the reason moves beyond this.

The December month remains special and calls for special and adequate spiritual preparation both physically and spiritually. The physical deals with the material needed for the celebration such as buying food, clothes and Christmas trees, lights, gifts and cards for friends and relatives.

The spiritual preparation deals with making our hearts ready for the coming of Christ through repentance and reconciliation. This will enable us to welcome Christ into our hearts and homes with joy. The spiritual aspect remains the most important. This is the message of John the Baptist who prepared the way for the Messiah (Matt 3:2-3).

For the Christians, especially the Catholics, the spiritual preparation begins with Advent, which lasts for four weeks. Advent means before the coming of Jesus Christ. Advent becomes a season that helps the Christians to prepare for the two fold inter-connected realities namely, the birth of Jesus Christ and his second coming in glory.

Advent becomes a season for sober reflection, meditation, prayer and reconciliation. It is a season of hope and expectation. Unfortunately, today the spiritual preparation is overshadowed by the material due to over commercialisation of the event and the season.

Through adverts many companies and supermarkets create the desire to buy things during the Christmas season. This perhaps explains why the Christmas means different things to different people.

Why some see it as an opportunity to make more money, to others it is a time of stress for poor families who have to struggle to meet the demand of their children expecting special gifts. To others, it is a time of joy, hope, consolation, solidarity, reunion and sharing.

The questions then are: What is Christmas? What is the biblical foundation of the celebration? How can we celebrate it properly? And finally how is Christmas celebrated in many parts of Nigeria?

Christmas has its foundation in the biblical narratives of the nativity of Christ, especially in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke which focused on the story of the conception and birth of Jesus in a poor stable in Bethlehem and how the glory of the newly born child was revealed to the three wise men known as the Magi or Shepherds and their subsequent visit to the Saviour to pay their homage guided by the star (Matt 1:18-22; Luke 1:1-14, 26-36).

The Gospel narratives of the birth of Jesus becomes the fulfilment of the various prophesies made concerning a virgin that will give birth to a child who will save the world (Isaish 7:14; 9:6).

It is the birth of Jesus Christ whose mission is to save the world that Christians celebrate every Christmas from December 24 to January 6 (Epiphany). The meaning of Christmas and its value therefore is not in the gifts received or given, but it lies in the fact that God has fulfilled his promise to save his Children.

In doing this, the Word became Flesh (Jn 1:14) so as to identify himself with the humans and be part of human history and struggle through humility and obedience to the plan of God the Father (Phil 2:6-8). This is clearly revealed in the name given to the Child by the Angel Immanuel (Matt 1: 23-24) which means the Lord is with us.

In line with the Old Testament, the child (Jesus Christ) will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Micah 5:2). It is through the incarnation of Christ that God truly reconciled the humans with himself (2 Cor 5: 18-20) This is the whole essence of the death of Christ on the Cross.

Christmas gives us the hope that we are not left alone. It shows the immensity of God’s love (Jn 3:16-17; 1Jn 4:10). As a good shepherd, Jesus will guide and protect us.

The ministry of healing and teaching of Jesus Christ in the Gospel and the post resurrection experiences of the early Christian community in the Acts of the Apostles rekindles yearly why his birth must and should be celebrated with joy.

Community

Police intervene after post raises fears of planned Pembroke Dock fight

Published

3 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Extra patrols launched after social media alert in aftermath of Tenby stabbings

POLICE intervened after an online warning raised fears of a planned fight involving young people in Pembroke Dock.

The development came in the immediate aftermath of the shocking stabbings of four youths at Tenby railway station on Tuesday night, which have caused serious concern across Pembrokeshire.

Pembroke Dock and Pembroke Police said they were made aware of social media posts suggesting a fight had been arranged for Friday afternoon (Apr 10), and that the reports were treated with “the utmost seriousness”.

The Herald understands concerns were flagged directly to Dyfed-Powys Police after troubling material was seen online, including a post warning parents about an alleged planned fight in Memorial Park, Pembroke Dock.

The post urged parents to check their children’s phones and referred to claims that children as young as nine could be involved, with allegations that knives were being discussed in group chats on social media.

In a statement, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, Superintendent Louise Harries said: “These reports have been treated with the utmost seriousness, and our priority is to ensure the safety of residents in this area, as well as disrupting any kind of violent or anti-social behaviour that occurs.

“Today, our officers have taken proactive measures to identify those involved in the planned activity, and have spoken to each young person, along with their parents and guardians.

“I’d like to thank the young people involved for co-operating with our officers and for their understanding of the potential dangers and risks posed by planning such an event.

“To provide further reassurance, officers and Neighbourhood Policing Teams will carry out patrols of the area and will be happy to speak with any members of the community about any concerns they may have.

“As we come to the end of the Easter holidays, I continue to urge parents, carers, and guardians to be aware of their children’s whereabouts.”

Police said neighbourhood officers would carry out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance and deter any further anti-social or violent behaviour.

The latest development is likely to deepen fears of further youth disorder following the serious violence in Tenby earlier this week.

Anyone with concerns or information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via 101 or online. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Community

PCSO clocks in after villagers raise speeding fears

Published

9 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HERBRANDSTON residents flagged fast-moving traffic as a key concern, prompting police to carry out speed checks in the village.

Concern over speeding in Herbrandston has prompted a local police response, with PCSO Adam out in the village carrying out speed checks after residents raised the issue through DPP Connect.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police said the concerns emerged after officers signed local people up to the messaging service, which allows residents to share feedback and receive updates from police.

Many of those who responded said speeding through the village was one of their main worries.

In response, PCSO Adam was deployed to monitor traffic and check vehicle speeds.

The move is likely to be welcomed by residents who have grown tired of motorists treating the village like a racetrack.

Community

Walk the Path for Wellbeing to span three counties in 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY is inviting communities, workplaces, families and friends to take part in the 2026 Walk the Path for Wellbeing challenge, with this year’s event expanding across three counties for the first time.

Taking place on Sunday, May 10 and Monday, May 11, the challenge will bring people together to celebrate the spectacular West Wales coastline through walking and other forms of active travel, while highlighting the strong links between nature, movement and wellbeing. A reserve weekend of May 17 and 18 has also been set aside in the event of severe weather.

Building on feedback from last year, the event will now take place over two days rather than one, giving more people the opportunity to get involved and creating a longer window for celebration, storytelling and community spirit.

While last year’s challenge focused on the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast, this year’s event will also include sections of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, bringing even more communities into the shared coastal celebration.

The two-day event will feature self-led sections for group entry. With the focus firmly on enjoyment, there is no pressure to complete every stage, and participants are encouraged to do only as much as they feel comfortable with. Together, those individual efforts will contribute to a shared goal of covering the full 313 miles of coastline.

Angela Robinson, Health and Wellbeing Officer at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The coast has an extraordinary ability to lift people, connect communities and create lasting memories. By extending the event across two days and into neighbouring counties, we’re opening the door to even more people to celebrate that connection together and share their experiences on social media.”