Bishop of Exeter Encourages Focus on Christmas’s Positive Message

Dr. Mike Harrison, the Bishop of Exeter, has encouraged individuals to contemplate “the good news of Christmas.” He noted that the world is currently experiencing “a lot of uncertainty and anxiety.” Dr. Harrison stated: “What I’d love people to be thinking about is the good news of Christmas, that what we see at Christmas is a God who comes looking for us, who loves us, wants us to be in a relationship with him and actually leads us into becoming more of our best selves.” He further remarked: “That kind of good news I think is really important and light in the darkness, and there is plenty of darkness at the present time.” Dr. Harrison was consecrated as the 72nd Bishop of Exeter in November. He commented: “If you look at our world with war still raging in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere and issues at home whether that’s to do with the economy, or to do with mental health, there’s a lot of uncertainty and anxiety.” The bishop mentioned that he recently welcomed various charities from throughout Devon, noting that “it was good to hear some of the ways in which issues like rural poverty, transport, housing were being addressed.” He advised: “If you are feeling overwhelmed by Christmas, isolated or down, and would love to see a friendly face and gather with others for hospitality and more, then I would really encourage you to pop along to your local church.” In his Christmas message, the Right Reverend Hugh Nelson, the Bishop of St Germans, stated: “This Christmas, life is astonishingly beautiful. And this Christmas, life is hard and difficult. “And what’s true of the world is true of us as well. “We, like the world, are also utterly beautiful and broken.” He further added: “We are capable of the most astonishing things, and we are capable of hurting each other and damaging the earth.” For updates, follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. BBC Cornwall can also be followed on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.