Readers may have watched or heard our new King broadcast his first Christmas message a few days ago, as he followed in the tradition of his mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
At this time of year, as we wonder what the New Year will bring, I am reminded of some words from another Christmas message, given by King Charles’s grandfather George VI in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War.
Darkness and uncertainty were all around.
Our late Queen, the then-teenaged Princess Elizabeth, suggested a poem to her father that might help people at such a difficult time: ‘God Knows, by Minnie Louise Haskins.
“I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown’, and he replied, ‘Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’”
Millions of people were comforted, encouraged and inspired by the poem.
These words can still speak to us today as we begin 2023 with much uncertainty with the cost-of-living crisis, industrial action, and the continuing war in Ukraine – things can seem very dark at times.
However, the Bible tells us that in choosing to put our hand into the hand of God, we connect with an inextinguishable light – Jesus, the Light of the World –who promises to be with us always through the darkness and the difficulties.
“The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
May this be a message of hope as we journey through 2023.
The Revd Tracy Watkins, is curate at St Michael’s Tilehurst, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading
