The Reverend Silke Tetzlaff Rector Tel: (01580) 891258 Email:  Rev Silke Tetzlaff Not available on Mondays

Clergy Magazine Letter - December 2011

Dear friends,

This is my first letter to you, which is written before my induction, but published when I am officially your new rector. What I can say at this point is that it was wonderful to feel as if Christmas had come early. On arrival my larder was filled with all good things so that I could focus on setting up home and didn't have to go out for days. It has been noticed! I really appreciated your gifts, cards and many more lovely gestures arriving on my doorstep almost daily.

Thank you for such a hearty welcome to Staplehurst. I have been out since and for quit a lengthy time at one point. That had been noticed too! In anticipation, I would like to let you know how much I appreciate all the efforts that have gone into the preparation for my induction service. Thank you very much, and more when it is my turn to write to you again. Sorry, therefore, for diving straight into my seasonal letter.

The True Reason for the Season

For some time I have felt uneasy about Advent and Christmas. It should be a time of solemn preparation and celebration, but wherever I look, people are more stressed and busier than ever. I keep thinking that cannot be right. Anybody who has prepared for the arrival of a baby can confirm that they slowed down and did not take up extra running lessons to prepare for a marathon. When the visible signs point to the great expectation of a new arrival in a family, then DOING all that is necessary and NO more than what is required, seems just right. And in the leading up to the great day of arrival a lot of things can wait and don't seem that essential any more. I believe that is not so dissimilar from entering into the season of Advent where we spiritually prepare ourselves for Jesus' Christmas Party.

When I look at the street decorations, the shop windows and the Christmas cards up for sale it clearly spells it out that it is a season for a reason where PEACE and JOY should fill the heart and nurture the soul. Advent is a time to DO all that is necessary and no more than what is required. Advent is a time to say 'No', BECAUSE: 'Jesus had twelve friends. He could do amazing miracles and he told marvellous stories. Each day he worked hard to make everything around him beautiful until one day he woke up exhausted from saving the world. That day the miracles didn't go quite so well. The next morning Jesus went to the doctor. After examining him the doctor advised, 'Take the day off, Jesus. Relax. Enjoy yourself. Sit and spend time with your family and friends. So Jesus told his friends what the doctor ordered, and then went out for a walk. It was a lovely cloudless day. First of all he did cartwheels right across the desert. Then he played catch with his halo. Then he had a picnic. After that he had a refreshing swim and finally he went on a long donkey ride, something he always enjoyed. It had been a wonderful day. But towards the end, as he sat in the sun, Jesus suddenly felt sad. Really the day had been wasted, and he'd helped no one. In fact, he felt so bad he decided to tell his dad all about it. When Jesus told his dad about his day off, his dad said, 'Look down there a minute, son.' So Jesus looked down.

Where you did your cartwheel, fountains of water appeared in the desert...
Where you threw your halo and ate your picnic, the trees blossomed with fruit...
When you went swimming, the fisherman had lots of luck
Whoever you passed on your donkey, felt instantly happy.

So you see, when you're feeling better yourself, you can only make others feel better too.' When Jesus got home his friends were happy to see him looking so well, they cooked him a delicious supper. That night, after he'd said his prayers, Jesus slept soundly. The next morning he was glad he'd taken a rest. He had this funny feeling there was a lot more good work to be done.'

The Christmas season can be a time when people become wrapped up in all sorts of things, and lose sight of the true “reason for the season”.

I wish you a peaceful and happy Advent and Christmas

Yours,

Silke

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