Christmas greetings

The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester, writes...

FEAR is the enemy of peace.

King Herod, who has a unique place as the wicked king of many Nativity plays and the murderer of innocent children was probably, in reality, just a rather ordinary, frightened person handling a situation rather too big for him.

In his play about Christmas, For the Time Being, W H Auden has the character of Herod shouting in exasperation: "Why couldn't this wretched infant be born somewhere else?" and, in a desperate attempt to remove the threat he saw in Jesus, he murders all the innocent children.

Those who run the world's affairs are actually ordinary human beings handling situations - and weapons - well beyond our capacity to manage. They have good reason to be anxious about what they - and we - are facing. But we know that exasperation and fear can have terrible consequences. So we rejoice that the message that came with the Christ-child was: "Fear not!"

War and the prospect of war may indeed be something we are afraid of, but the truth is that most wars are born of fear. So may the celebration of this festival bring all of us nearer to the point where we abandon fear and truly seek peace. And may peace be God's gift to us all this Christmas.

Peter Marshall, Dean of Worcester, writes...

THEY think it's all over - but it's only just about to begin!

Forty years ago, as a poor student, I was looking after a flat in London over Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, walking at the back of one of the city's most glamorous of shops, I came across two beautiful Christmas trees, still partly decorated, discarded lying on the ground with the rubbish, and Christmas had not yet started.

I took them to decorate the flat. They were real and the pine aroma helped! Christmas was about to begin.

A light meal and a drink and then on to the mystery of the Midnight Mass with candles and carols, music and worship, the Holy in midst of us ordinary folk, a different bread taken and wine sipped.

"Amen, (So Be It)," we said, and "Thank you". It was a quiet, hard night, ice on the air as car lights travelled past. I thought of High Streets, determined shoppers, sales staff, celebrations in schools, offices and homes, the energy and effort to make Christmas special and I thanked God for that also. It was not all over. In fact it had only just begun. A joyful and blessed Christmas to you all.

Councillor Robert Rowden, Mayor of Worcester, writes...

As we enjoy carols extolling peace on earth and goodwill to men, it is sad that the fear of terrorism pervades so much of it, even in places where a few years ago one would have thought that it could not occur.

Let us hope that it can be terminated and that peace can be brought back for people to live in harmony, whatever their location, religion or persuasion.

I feel fortunate to live in Worcester where I have learnt, as Mayor, of the many volunteers who work so hard for the good of folk less fortunate than themselves in various ways.

Our city is prosperous but there are those who need help and those whose need may just be some companionship. Let us make it a better Christmas for everyone if we can.

May I wish your readers a very happy Christmas.

Councillor Bob Bullock, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, writes...

CHRISTMAS is a time for reflection on what has passed, and anticipation of what is going to happen in the future.

This is the fifth year since the recreation of Worcestershire.

In those days of our liaison with Herefordshire, in 1974, many friendships were formed, which continue to exist today.

One of the greatest privileges of being chairman for this year is the opportunity to represent people in so many different places and renew acquaintances with former colleagues.

Looking forward - crystal ball gazing - is not easy. In our individual ways we all do our best but, sometimes, events out of our control lead to uneasiness.

May you all enjoy next year, in the hope that tolerance and understanding is uppermost in the mind of world leaders.

In the spirit of harmony, may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a New Year full of promise.

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, writes...

WE are almost at the end of another year and, hopefully, most of you will be spending Christmas with relatives and friends, enjoying the festivities.

Many different religions are represented within Worcester and it is important that we all respect the different types of celebrations at this time.

If we think back to last Christmas we would have been reflecting on the horrific events of September 11 and, during this year, we have seen other terrorist attacks in Kenya and Bali.

Clearly the world has not changed that much since September 11 and I know that many of you are concerned about the situation in Iraq.

But we must all work together, in the case of Iraq with the help of the United Nations, to ensure that peace on earth is not such a distant thought and we can prevent any further terrorist attacks in 2003. On a lighter note, it is said that a traditional Christmas dinner contains enough calories to power a television set for eight hours. If only the calories disappeared when we switched on the television.

Have a happy Christmas and enjoy this time, whatever you are celebrating.

Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, writes...

CHRISTMAS is still my favourite time of year. Although the Christmas message is now over 2,000 years old, it still seems as fresh as ever to me.

My Christmas really begins each year with the Salvation Army carol service around the Christmas tree in Westminster Hall, when the Commons and Lords come together for a time of reflection and a good sing of the classic carols.

I'm glad it's the Salvation Army that begins my Christmas. I always read on the back of the service sheet of the great work the Army does with the poor and destitute in our society.

Those words remind me that Christmas is a time for giving - to our family and to our friends but also, I hope, to those less fortunate than us. Christmas is also a time for giving thanks - for all the blessings in our life.

Although we are surrounded by worries, poverty and concern, and those things can sometimes weigh heavily on our minds, we should remember that it is a blessing just to have been born into a rich, democratic and free country such as ours. A very peaceful and happy Christmas to you all.

Bill Wiggin, MP for Leominster, writes...

IT has been a fascinating year in Parliament, full of varied events and activities. I have made a few changes to the way in which your MP does his job in this constituency.

I felt that the old system of surgeries in the office in the market towns prevented me from meeting some people and seeing what was happening for myself. So I visited every village and town in the constituency, all 236 of them! This had two excellent results. First, far more people came to see me, perhaps because I was nearer to their homes, and I was able to see for myself any local concerns.

Second, I have spent my time outside in the most beautiful countryside talking to people about all manner of subjects, as well as any problems. Meeting people is, I find, probably the best part of my job.

I am also pleased at the number of cases which have been won for people here and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the police, council and other groups and agencies which respond not only to me but also to the needs of us all. The other significant change was to try to write to every household in my constituency to notify them about changes in the law on data protection and keep them posted on what I had been doing.

This proved to be a huge task and, while the feedback on my website www.billwiggin.com has been most encouraging, I think that in 2003 it might be better to send out a newsletter rather than a similar personal letter.

This year there have been some very special moments locally, such as helping a couple successfully adopt a child, and, nationally, convincing the Government that it would be right to hold bovine TB test trials in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I welcome people continuing to contact me if there are issues on which I can assist and wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Philip Bushill-Matthews, MEP, writes...

2002 will be remembered across the world as another unsettled year.

In many countries it will be remembered with sorrow.

Let us remember it with pride.

Let us remember that it was also Golden Jubilee Year, 50 years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Let it be a constant reminder of our past heritage.

Let it strengthen our determination to safeguard this heritage for future generations.

Councillor T A Spencer, Mayor of Droitwich, writes...

2002 has been a challenging but extremely positive year.

I am pleased that many organisations are now working in harmony with the sole purpose of improving the appeal of Droitwich Spa.

The Queen's Jubilee celebrations in June brought people into the streets, creating a joyous and colourful weekend.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the community celebrations with our many friends, both old and new.

In May, it was particularly pleasing to meet Burgermeister Josef Oster, my counterpart from Bad Ems, our twin town in Germany.

Thanks to the efforts of all our friends on Droitwich Spa Canals Trust, Josef and I enjoyed celebrating the opening of the locks, which marked the beginning of our long-awaited canal restoration.

May I thank all those who have greeted my family and I so warmly throughout the year and also my colleagues on town, district and county councils.

Finally, our town is blessed with a new-found accord within our churches, something that adds a richness to our society.

I look forward to celebrating a joyous and peaceful Christmas with them and our growing congregations.

A very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to all residents of Droitwich and surrounding areas.

Councillor Richard Hampton, Mayor of Pershore, writes...

Best wishes for everyone in Pershore to enjoy a carefree and happy Christmas.

May as many as possible have the happiness that comes from the giving of gifts and the delight of children.

Mayor Francis Victory, Malvern Town Council, writes...

IT has been a privilege to meet so many committed individuals who work so hard for the many charities they support.

The churches have all extended a warm welcome to me, as have all the other groups I have visited.

The town council celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, in Victoria Park, were enjoyed by 4,500 people, the Mayor's Ball was a great success and I would like to reiterate my thanks to the many traders who donated such generous raffle prizes.

The switching on of the Christmas lights by the Jubilee King and Queen and the Christmas Sweep was a special event, accompanied by the fine singing of the Hills Singers and their soloist.

The mulled cider donated by Knights and the hot chestnuts and candy canes started the festive season in traditional style.

It was wonderful to receive so many townspeople at our Christmas reception and, on behalf of Malvern Town Council members and officers, I would like to wish everybody a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.