Abbot Hugh Allan, O.Praem.

Apostolic Administrator of the Falkland Islands and Superior of the Ecclesiastical Mission to St. Helena, Tristan Da Cunha and Ascension Island

Pastoral Letter for Christmas 2023

Dear friends in Christ, 

When I was a school chaplain, I remember speaking to a class in Year 11 (around 15 years old) about the concept of responsibility. It was a something they seemed to really struggle with. That was until I talked about having a baby, and how life changes completely for a parent when they have someone they are completely responsible for. It was only then they seemed to understand the importance of sacrifice and responsibility. Clarity came to them when we talked about it all in terms of a baby. 

It is part of the wisdom and wonder of God that He comes to us as a fragile, beautiful baby that needs to be cared for and loved. With a baby, there comes a clarity in our eyes to live up to this new gift, and to take to heart the importance of giving everything to the smiling face we see in the crib. In looking into the Crib, we can all be given the gift of clearly knowing that God, who created all things and knows all things, loves us with a love beyond our comprehension. That He, who is all powerful, becomes a fragile little baby shows the depth of His love for us and His desire for us to get to our true home in heaven. 

Our response to this love should be to live the fullness of our Christian faith; to live the truth of Christ, who is the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be forever (Hebrews 13.8). In a world of turmoil and change, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Whatever confusion and chaos the times we live in can cause in our hearts, do not be afraid. Remain constant to Christ. St Augustine reminds us of that essential truth, “God created us to make the times we live in, not the times to make us.” 

The timeless and unchanging truth of Jesus Christ we see in the crib at Bethlehem. This Christmas, may it stir in all our hearts a clarity of vision so that we can see our responsibility to become more like Christ every day. If we want the world and the Church to become a better place, then we need to become better people. This means embracing the importance of conforming our lives to the loving and vulnerable baby at Bethlehem. Look into the crib and clearly see the joyful love of God come down from heaven to set us free from turmoil and chaos. He wants our hearts to rest in the clarity of His unending love. In the words of the “motto” I took when I became Apostolic Administrator seven years ago, “the purpose of our Faith is the salvation of souls” (1 Peter 1.9). This is the truth we see so clearly in babe at Bethlehem. 

May this Christmas be filled with joy, happiness and, I hope, laughter in your homes. Despite the problems and difficulties we face, never let go of the joy that comes from being loved by God – and the knowledge that to Him we are indeed lovable. 

And may 2024 truly be a year of grace for you and all those you love. 

Be assured of my prayers and my hope to see you again very soon. Please pray for me! 

+Hugh o. praem.

Abbot Hugh Allan, o.praem.