The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Stephen Lake presided and preached in Salisbury Cathedral on Christmas Day morning.
In his sermon Bishop Stephen referred to the 'what3words app' which he uses to find parishes and schools as he travels across the diocese, which is one of the largest in the Church of England. He reflected on just how many times three words are used in scripture to sum up what God is sharing with us, especially at Christmas.
Some of the group of three words include:In the beginning - Word made flesh – God with us – Kingdom of God – God is love – Son of God – Go in peace – love one another – It is finished – Come Lord Jesus. The diocesan vision statement also uses just three words - Making Jesus Known.
The bishop challenged listeners to consider what three words we would offer the Christ child on visiting him in the manger. What three words we would want God to use about us when we meet him in glory? What three words do we want to use as our guide and direction through 2024? In a time of great change, coming elections and continuing conflicts, what three words will we want said about us?
He said: "At Christmas, when God is born among us as a child, we can know that whoever we are, God is saying three words to humanity, I love you."
Bishop Stephen's sermon was streamed live on Salisbury Cathedral's YouTube page. You can watch it below: