LATest
24 February 2026
4th Anniversary of Russia's War against Ukraine
A Prayer for Ukraine
based on one at the
Shrine of St Thomas Cantilupe
Hereford Cathedral:
Lord God,
whose compassion never fails:
comfort and support, we pray,
the people on whom
the terrors of invasion and war have fallen;
and
if their liberty ever be lost to the oppressor,
let not their spirit be broken,
but stayed upon your strength
until the day of deliverance;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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22 February 2026
First Sunday in Lent
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land,
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven
Feed me now and evermore.
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14 February 2026
(Saint Valentine's Day)
Today Knights Templars of All Britain send our Blessings and Best Wishes to the new Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth, who today became the 12th leader of about 4 million Roman Catholics throughout England and Wales. He succeeds H.E. Cardinal Archbishop Nicholas Vincent who recently took part in the Conclave in Rome and which brought Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to become His Holiness Leo XIV as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
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27 January 2026
DIWRNOD COFIO'R HOLOCOST
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
And some there be who no memorial have;
Who perished are as though they’d never been.
For our tomorrows their today they gave,
And simply asked that in our hearts they'd live.
We heed their call and pledge ourselves again,
At dusk and dawn - we will remember them!
TODAY IS HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY, THE INTERNATIONAL DAY TO REMEMBER THE 6 MILLION JEWS MURDERED DURING THE HOLOCAUST, ALONGSIDE THE MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE MURDERED UNDER NAZI PERSECUTION OF OTHER GROUPS, AND IN MORE RECENT GENOCIDES IN CAMBODIA, RWANDA, BOSNIA AND DARFUR.
The Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilisation, and the world said ‘never again’, but genocides have continued to take place.
Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to come together to remember all those affected by the Holocaust and more recent genocides, and to take action to protect those currently at risk of persecution. From educating ourselves to better understand those whom we perceive as different, to reporting hate crime if we see it, there are actions we can and should take* to make our communities safer.
* Go to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website for more details.
We the Knights Templars of All Britain support the magnificent work of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust because the history of the Knights Templar was cruelly 'interrupted' by the false accusations made against the members of the Order in October 1307 by King Philip IV ('the Fair') of France who secretly ordered the arrest of the knights, including The Master of the Temple, Jacques de Molay, and the sequestration of their property.
Pope Clement V ordered an investigation into the charges levelled against the Templars and under immense political pressure, he ordered the arrest of all Templars within Christian Europe and the seizure of their property.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, Clement convoked the Council of Vienne in 1312. The lack of credible incriminating evidence led the majority of the Council Fathers to conclude that the charges lacked merit. Then the Pope on his own authority issued the Bull, Vox In Excelso, dissolving the Order. Templars were to be pensioned off and their property turned over to the Hospitallers. But since the Order had existed eleven years before Papal recognition (founded in 1118, recognized by the Pope in 1129 at the Council of Troyes), the Pope only had the power to remove his ecclesiastical recognition.
The final act came on March 18, 1314, when Philip IV ordered the execution by fire of Jacques de Molay and Geoffroy de Charnay as relapsed heretics. Finding courage at the end, they both vigorously denied the charges against the Order. Many kings and nobles, who had been supporting the Knights up until that time, finally acquiesced and dissolved the orders in their fiefs in accordance with the Papal command. Most were not as brutal as the French. In England, many Knights were arrested and tried, but not found guilty.
Later the Templars were absolved but by then the damage had been done.
We look at this episode in our history as a form of genocide since King Philip - through greed and jealousy - wanted to eliminate the Templars. Hundreds of years later the Nazis sought to destroy all Jews. And in more recent years oppressive regimes have tried to kill their opponents. One has to consider whether the current Russian unprovoked attack on Ukraine has a hint of genocide!
A hymn for remembering Holocaust victims
Words – Charles Henry Wood
This may be sung to the tune "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius
Grant peace, O Lord, across our strife-torn world,
Where war divides and greed and dogma drive.
Help us to learn the lessons from the past,
That all are human and all pay the price.
All life is dear and should be treated so;
Joined, not divided, is the way to go.
Protect, dear Lord, all who, on our behalf,
Now take the steps that place them in harm's way.
May they find courage for each task they face
By knowing they are in our thoughts always.
Then, duty done and missions at an end,
Return them safe to family and friends.
Grant rest, O Lord, to those no longer with us;
Who died protecting us and this their land.
Bring healing, Lord, to those who, through their service,
Bear conflict’s scars on body or in mind.
With those who mourn support and comfort share.
Give strength to those who for hurt loved-ones care.
And some there be who no memorial have;
Who perished are as though they’d never been.
For our tomorrows their today they gave,
And simply asked that in our hearts they'd live.
We heed their call and pledge ourselves again,
At dusk and dawn - we will remember them!
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6 JANUARY 2026 : EPIPHANY
Epiphany is an ancient Christian festival and is celebrated across the world in numerous ways.
The word comes from the Greek έ πιφάνεια (epiphaneia) which means the “manifestation” or the “showing forth” of Jesus to non-Jews (the Gentiles) after his incarnation (his birth).
In the Western Church we usually relate this to the arrival of the Magi (wise men) at the house where the Holy Family were living, some 2 years after the birth of Jesus.
In the Orthodox or Eastern Church the word is Theophany (θεοφάνεια) meaning the "appearance of God".
According to the Holy Bible in the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 2:verse 11) the Magi offered Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Gospel account indicates that the Magi had been following a star which led them to the house where they found Jesus, his mother Mary and Joseph:
The star which the Magi followed can remind us of the lovely Epiphany Carol by William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898):
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly household bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
In that homestead plain and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!
Or as the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 2, verse 10) puts it:
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
This event is re-enacted by some children:
Epiphany can also represent the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt in order to escape Herod's anger and the murder of boys under 2 years in Bethlehem:
In Eastern churches, Epiphany usually celebrates the baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist,
in the River Jordan:
Alternatively it also commemorates Jesus' first miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee,
where he turned jars of water into high quality wine:
All of these celebrations and images seek to illustrate 'Epiphany', 'the showing forth' or 'revelation' of Jesus to non-Jews (that is, the Gentiles) - on various occasions during His life.
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NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2026
The world famous bell (known as Big Ben) was broadcast as it rang out over London at midnight (2025) signifying the start of 2026
Following Big Ben 15 minutes of fireworks and music lit up the sky, watched by 100,000 people standing along the Thames riverside
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A Franciscan Benediction
Attributed to the earliest followers of St Francis
May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done
to bring justice and kindness to all of our children and the poor.
Amen.
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NEW yEAR'S EVE
31 DECEMBER 2025
OUR FIRST THOUGHTS MIGHT BE FROM ....
Minnie Louise Haskins' poem which as Princess Elizabeth, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, gave to her father, the late King George VI, to say during his Christmas broadcast in 1939:
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 out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."
(So I went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.)
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28 December 2025
THE HOLY INNOCENTS
This is the day on which we remember, in particular, the young children (boys) in Bethlehem who King Herod ordered his men to kill in his attempt to destroy the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:16-18).
Jesus was unharmed because Joseph had been warned by God of this impending disaster and had left Bethlehem with Mary and Jesus and had fled into Egypt.
The Holy Family thus became refugees from violence and terror and surely today remind us of the fate of so many people across the world who leave their homes for the very same reasons and seek safety in other lands. They deserve our compassion and support.
Today is also the First Sunday after Christmas
(28 December 2025)
A Gathering prayer:
As we come together pause for a moment in silence to draw close to the presence of God.
Prayer of Confession:
For the times when we do not draw close to You
Father, forgive us
For the times when we do not see You at work in our lives
Father, forgive us
For the times when we fail to acknowledge Your sovereign authority
Father, forgive us
For the times when we place ourselves at the centre
Father, forgive us.
Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Emmanuel; God with us.
We thank You for Your presence in our lives
For walking with us in the everyday
For standing with us in times of pain and loneliness
For celebrating with us; the times of joy.
Amen.
Prayer for Others:
In your own words or thoughts take the opportunity today to pray for children and young people, as is appropriate to your context. This may be for children within your church, chapel or community; for those connected; grandchildren and neighbours; or for those children and young people within your local community who you can reach out to and serve.
Blessing / Closing prayer:
The Lord Bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.
Amen.
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THE FEAST DAY OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
27 DECEMBER 2025
One of special days (a Feast day) which the Order observes is that of Saint John, the Apostle and Evangelist, Deacon and First Martyr. Our Knights and Dames also re-read the Primitive Rule of the Templars and consider how their own lives reflect any similar concerns in the modern world to those experienced by our founders.
A translation of the Primitive Rule can be found as the first item on the page below this one and is entitled "Templars' History".
In the first extract from the Holy Bible below we read St John's own account of his encounter with Jesus. The second piece is from St John's Gospel. St John is sometimes depicted as an eagle and similarly used in church lecterns to hold the Bible - carrying the Word of God across the world.
The Epistle
1 John 1: 1 - end
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un-righteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The Gospel
John 21:19 -end
Jesus said unto Peter, Follow me. Then Pet er, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, That that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose, that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.
A Prayer
Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church,
that it being enlightened by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John
may so walk in the light of thy truth,
that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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The text of the King's Speech (in full) can now be found below at "CHRISMAS AFTERNOON- 3pm"
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SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY
26 DECEMBER 2025
Stephen's death (by stoning!) is recorded in the Bible as the first Christian to die for his faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Stephen is the first Christian Martyr.
Here is that account as recorded in The New Testament:
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Then the high priest asked him, "Are these things so?"
And Stephen replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. You are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."
When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.
(Acts 6: 8-7:2a,51c-60)
There are echoes of this action from the Old Testament in Psalm 31:
1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O God of truth.
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols, and I put my trust in the LORD.
7 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; for you have seen my affliction; you know my distress.
8 You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; you have set my feet in an open place.
9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbours, a dismay to those of my acquaintance; when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. I have said, "You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me."
17 LORD, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; rather, let the wicked be put to shame; let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against the righteous, haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.
19 How great is your goodness, O LORD! which you have laid up for those who fear you; which you have done in the sight of all for those who put their trust in you.
20 You hide them in the covert of your presence from those who slander them; you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD! for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a besieged city.
22 Yet I said in my alarm, "I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes." Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty when I cried out to you.
23 Love the LORD, all you who worship him; the LORD protects the faithful, but repays to the full those who act haughtily.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
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25 DECEMBER 2025
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON - 3pm
His Majesty, King Charles III, delivered his fourth Christmas message to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on Christmas Day at the traditional time of 3pm in the afternoon.
King Charles from the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey
Here is what the King said, in full:
"A few weeks ago, the Queen and I were delighted to make a state visit to the Vatican where we prayed with Pope Leo in a historic moment of spiritual unity. Together, we celebrated the Jubilee theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
"Pilgrimage is a word less used today, but it has particular significance for our modern world, and especially at Christmas. It is about journeying forward, into the future, while also journeying back to remember the past and learn from its lessons.
"We did this during the summer, as we celebrated the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. The end of the Second World War is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass. But the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all.
"These are the values which have shaped our country and the Commonwealth. As we hear of division, both at home and abroad, they are the values of which we must never lose sight. For instance, it is impossible not to be deeply moved by the ages of the fallen – as the gravestones in our war cemeteries remind us. The young people who fought and helped save us from defeat in both world wars were often only 18, 19 or 20 years of age.
"Journeying is a constant theme of the Christmas story. The holy family made a journey to Bethlehem and arrived homeless without proper shelter.
"The wise men made a pilgrimage from the east to worship at the cradle of Christ; and the shepherds journeyed from field to town in search of Jesus, the saviour of the world. In each case, they journeyed with others, and relied on the companionship and kindness of others. Through physical and mental challenge, they found an inner strength.
"To this day, in times of uncertainty, these ways of living are treasured by all the great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope: of resilience in the face of adversity; peace through forgiveness; simply getting to know our neighbours and, by showing respect to one another, creating new friendships. Indeed, as our world seems to spin ever faster, our journeying may pause, to quieten our minds – in TS Eliot’s words 'At the still point of the turning world' – and allow our souls to renew.
"In this, with the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure that right triumphs over wrong. It seems to me that we need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation; the way our Lord lived and died.
"This year, I have heard so many examples of this, both here and abroad. These stories of the triumph of courage over adversity give me hope, from our venerable military veterans to selfless humanitarian workers in this century’s most dangerous conflict zones; to the ways in which individuals and communities display spontaneous bravery, instinctively placing themselves in harm’s way to defend others.
"As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common; a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life. If we can find time in our journey through life to think on these virtues we can all make the future more hopeful. Of course, the greatest pilgrimage of all is the journey we celebrate today – the story of The One who 'came down to Earth from Heaven', 'whose shelter was a stable’ and who shared his life with 'the poor and lowly'.
"It was a pilgrimage with a purpose, heralded by angels, that there should be peace on Earth. That prayer for peace and reconciliation – for 'doing to others as we would have them do to us' – which rang out over the fields near Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago, still reverberates from there and around the world today.
"It is a prayer for our times, and our communities too, as we journey through our lives.
So, with these words and my whole heart, I wish you all a most peaceful and very happy Christmas."
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CHRISTMAS DAY, 2025
On Christmas Day in most chapels, churches and cathedrals the main Reading from the Bible will be taken from the first chapter of St John’s Gospel with the familiar first words: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God …” [Below you will find the whole section] But I just want to look at verse 14 where we hear that the Word (Jesus of course) came and dwelt among us. In the ancient Greek it is:
"Καὶ ὁ λόγο"ς σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρός, πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας."
The interesting word here is ἐσκήνωσεν which preserves the tabernacle imagery that John is deliberately invoking.
In his ”Emphasised Bible” Joseph B. Rotherham renders this verse:
"And the Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
For Templars I believe that this idea of Jesus pitching his tent with us reminds us of our roots – dwelling in the field of battle, ready for the fight against evil. It’s the same today. We are here for a while trying to follow Jesus, in spite of all the temptations and distractions of the world around.
BUT let us always remember that this is merely a temporary situation. Our permanent residence is not in a field. We are “Citizens of Heaven”. And that is where we are going …… Home at last.
May God
Bless, preserve and keep you safe,
in his eternal Love and Care
this Christmas and always.
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Here is St John's Gospel, Chapter 1, verses 1-14. This is taken from the Authorised or King James' version of the Bible:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
A popular Christmas Carol is "In the bleak mid-winter" :
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ..
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
Words by Christina Rossetti [1872]
Usual tune by Gustav Holst [1806]
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CHRISTMAS EVE, 2025
on Christmas Eve at the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Our senior Pentecostal Chaplain writes:
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
All news was miserable, made by a louse.
Well, that’s the way you might feel reading about many current issues, but seriously what can you expect a generation or two after ditching Christianity. It wasn’t always so. I remember when we were so poor the only time we saw chicken (no, not turkey), was at Christmas. Then, after cooking it and leaving it in the scullery (the room was too tiny to be called a kitchen), a cat came in though the open back door and helped itself to part of it. Mother did her best to make the remains presentable…. (It must have been around 1953.) Those were among the downers, which were many. The uppers were also many. You could leave your front door open. No murders, no knife crime, police on the beat and neighbours who would keep kids in order – with a thick ear if needed. Perverts virtually unheard of, etc. etc. In a word, society was poor but not sick.
But it is Christmas! Joy to the world! Yes, we Christians have it. Christ will return and sort it all out. Why should we worry? So do not despair in listening to the news of the world. Instead listen to the news of the coming Kingdom – and so much the more as you see that day approaching!
A funny sort of Christmas message you might think: a half-eaten-by-the-cat chicken! My point is the illusion of joy: it comes not with externals, but with the knowledge that, as the old gospel song says:“it is well with my soul”. Go to a Spirit-filled church this Christmas Day, get saved, and wipe the blues away!
Allow me to conclude with a favourite piece (even though written by myself) of poetry. It was inspired, as I walked along Oxford Street in London, coming to the curve of Regent Street, down which is Hamleys – a world favourite toy store.
It is close to Christmas, ten minutes past four in the afternoon and getting dark. It is raining and a cold wind is blowing. People, laden with gifts, are scurrying to get home and dry and warm after Christmas shopping.
The clatter of feet on Regent Street,
Busy in buying, with tiny tots crying,
Makes me think yet once more
Of those days gone before
When a poor Virgin Mother,
Laid her baby in fodder.
I reflect in the rain – while the shopkeepers gain
Of the shepherds’ pure homage
To that babe in God’s image.
Of a bright guiding star
Leading wise men from far,
Bringing myrrh, gold and frankincense -
Gifts that make true sense.
The darkness descends more,
The rain pounds and splatters
The shutters come down,
but what’s left is what matters :
The clatter of feet in Regent Street,
Is the real reason why
God’s Son came to die,
We need only believe that gift to receive.
May your Christmas be truly blessed.
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23 DECEMBER 2025
There has been much discussion on the radio and television and elsewhere in the media about the prospects of snow - especially on Christmas Day this year. It brings to mind the snow which fell in the Holy Land at this time of the year in 2013 in the town of Bethlehem and the city of Jerusalem. Here are some details and photographs:
DECEMBER 2013
SNOW IN THE HOLY LAND
With a reminder below of the Christmas carol "See amid the winter's snow" by Edward Caswall
the following photographs were taken in 2013 show it snowing in
Bethlehem and Jerusalem:
Jerusalem - Christmas 2013
A Palestinian youth throws a snowball in front of the Dome of the Rock
at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem
in December 2013
as a winter weather front hit the region,
bringing early snow and a steep drop in temperatures.
The first Knights Templar knew that this was where the Temple of Solomon stood.
Consequently, when they made the site their headquarters, they came to be known as the Knights of the Temple - in short the Knights Templar - hence our name today.
Jerusalem - December 2013
Jerusalem - December 2013
Jerusalem - December 2013
Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity
December 2013
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BEFORE CHRISTMAS : 22-23 DECEMBER 2025
A message from the Grand Prior and Spiritual Protector of the
Grand Prior of All Britain which includes the Grand Priory of Wales and the Grand Priory of England,
together with our newer groups in Northern Ireland and Scotland which form the
Knights Templar of the Grand Priory of All Britain.
In the holy Name of the Lord Jesus: Greetings, dear brothers and sisters.
The Advent season is coming to an end and we prepare again to celebrate the ancient, yet always new, Christmas story which St Luke tells us about in his Gospel (Luke 2:14) and which The Revd Charles Wesley gave us in his famous carol "Hark! how all the Welkin (heaven) rings; Glory to the King of Kings".
I realise that we normally sing The Revd George Whitefield's modification "Hark! The Herald Angels sing: 'Glory to the new-born King'."
BUT the Gospel actually reads that the "multitude of the heavenly host" were "praising God and saying. 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'.” So Wesley was somewhat nearer to the angel's message.
However, a few verses earlier St Luke tells us that the announcement, made to the shepherds by the angel, of "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people," was that "born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
These are all familiar words from the Bible and/or our carol sheets but I would invite you to look carefully at these Bible words, the message and the promise.
At this time of the year we see a lot about a baby in a crib and about animals in a stable and schools show us children dressed as angels (or sheep) and the television abounds with mince pies, turkeys and tinsel.
BUT the Gospel stresses that the 'arrival' was of a Saviour, not a Christmas tree! Indeed the prophecy in Isaiah 9: 6-7 was being fulfilled:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
This was NOT the arrival of a Santa Claus with a sack of goodies.
Hopefully you and I, as Christians, know these facts but, frankly, the secular world which wants us to “spend, spend, spend” can so easily dominate our lives ….. . For example, I saw an advert on the television recently suggesting that pet owners should buy their animals a cuddly toy as a Christmas present! I don’t have a pet at present, though my wife and I did take in a stray cat some years ago, so I don’t necessarily disapprove of pets having ‘things’ but our cat seemed quite content with a ball of string to pat around the room. We didn’t have to purchase him an expensive musical, green mouse-looking ‘toy’ because it was Christmas!
I don’t want to appear to be a ‘kill-joy’ or being accused of not entering into the “spirit of the season”. But let’s remember that on that first Christmas Day it was God Almighty who came, entering His own creation, and not as a spirit but as one of us.
St John puts it very clearly in his Gospel account (John 1: 14):
“And the Word [Jesus] was made flesh [human] and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
No doubt that would have been very relevant to a pastoral community of the first century. But I venture to suggest that today it still has meaning – that our lives and possessions here are only in a temporary camp. Our Saviour, Jesus, asks us to follow him, all the way to heaven, since we are already its citizens and he has prepared a permanent home for us there. And so, surely, that’s the reason why Charles Wesley wrote:
“Hark! how all the Welkin rings; Glory to the King of Kings".
I pray that you all have a very Happy Christmas,
God Bless you and all whom you love.
Graham.
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It is with much regret that we have to report that our Webmaster is not at all well. He is waiting for a hospital appointment for a serious medical problem. We wish him well and pray that he will soon return to this site.
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SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2025
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
80 years since the end of World War II in Europe and the Pacific
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AT THE CENOTAPH IN CENTRAL LONDON
At 11.00am : Big Ben rang out and the UK fell fall silent
His Majesty King Charles III led the Nations' tributes to the Fallen
The King's wreath
The words on the Cenotaph
10,000 Veterans from all over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth marched past the Cenotaph and laid their wreaths
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Remembrance Tide
St John's Gospel: Chapter 15, verses 12 & 13
The Inquisitive Mind of a Child
Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love.
For the men who marched away.
But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?
Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died
In the fields where the poppies grow.
But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child.
The blood that our soldiers shed.
The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.
Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.
For the men who never came back.
But why, Mummy are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child.
For the world is forgetting again.
(Author Unknown)
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
When you go home
Tell them from us and say:
"For your tomorrow
We gave our today"
† ‡ †
Gwae fi fy myw mewn oes mar ddreng,
A Duw ar drai ar orwel pell;
O'i ôl mae dyn, yn deyrn a gwreng,
Yn codi ei awdurdod hell.
Why must I live in this grim age
When, to a far horizon, God
Has ebbed away, and man, with rage
Now wields the sceptre and the rod?
These are the words from a poem entitled Rhyfel ("War") by Ellis Humphrey Evans (born 13 January 1887) - perhaps Wales's greatest war poet. In 1907 he had won his first bardic chair at a local eisteddfodau at Bala. In 1910 he was given the bardic name Hedd Wyn at a poets' meeting in Blaenau Ffestiniog. 'Hedd' is Welsh for peace and 'Wyn' means white or pure, hence meaning "blessed peace". In June 1917 he joined the 15th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Sadly he was fatally wounded at the start of the Third Battle of Ypres at Pilckem Ridge, Passchendale, on 31 July 1917. He had entered a poem, Yr Arwr ("The Hero"), for the National Eisteddfod and at Birkenhead on 6 September 1917 he was declared the winner (posthumously therefore). Hedd Wyn was duly awarded the highest honour to be bestowed on a Welsh poet, the National Eisteddfod Bardic Chair and empty Chair was draped in a black cloth!
In 2012 Hedd Wyn's home, Yr Ysgwrn, (below) was purchased by the Snowdonia National Park Authority with financial assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Welsh government. It was redeveloped with further grants as a heritage centre and reopened in 2017.
The body of Ellis Humphrey Evans (Service Number 61117) was buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, Belgium. After a petition was submitted to the Imperial War Graves Commission after the war, his headstone was given the additional words Y Prifardd Hedd Wyn ("The Chief Bard, Hedd Wyn").
In August 2014 the Welsh Memorial Park, Ypres was unveiled at Pilckem Ridge near to where Hedd Wyn had been mortally wounded.
Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis,
Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam
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23 OCTOBER 2025
UT UNUM SINT
Today in the Vatican His Majesty King Charles III met His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and they prayed together in the Sistine Chapel. Nearly five hundred years of complete separation and distrust between the English and the Roman churches seemed to melt away in friendship, goodwill and blessings. Our noble Order can assist in further developments in the ecumenical movement so that Christians across the nations can make even more progress towards the prayer which Jesus made, that we will be one (UT UNUM SINT):
“That they may all be one :so that the world will believe that you sent me”
(John 17: 20-21).
"so that the world will believe", that He was sent by God as the Saviour for all and especial the Friend of sinners, the poor and children.
Prayers in the Sistine Chapel
Praise the Lord!
Here is the Prayer for Christian Unity from the Swanwick Declaration of September1987 (see the Menu page entitled "Christian Unity and Ecumenical Witness"):
Lord God, we thank you
For calling us into the company
Of those who trust in Christ
And seek to obey his will.
May your Spirit guide and strengthen us
In mission and service to your world;
For we are strangers no longer
But pilgrims together on the way to your Kingdom.
Amen.
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22 SEPTEMBER 2025
AUTUMN QUINOX
The word Equinox is made up from two Latin words: "equi" (= equal) and "nox (= night) and simply refers to the fact that on this day the length of daylight is the same as night (12 hours).
Equinox sunrise at Stonehenge:
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5 September 2025
United Nations International Day of Peace
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5 September 2025
It was with great sadness and deep sorrow
that the death was announced today of the
Professor Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends
and especially to those involved with Sir Robert in connection
with Magna Carta research and the Magna Carta Trust.
Professor Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL
21 December 1933 - 5 September 2025
‡
In memoria aeterna erit iustus.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
The just shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
And let light perpetual shine upon them.
‡
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OUR PRAYERS MUST CONTINUE TO BE FOR PEACE
Almighty and ever-Loving God,
in fellowship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
the Prince of Peace,
we pray that You will speak to the hearts and minds of
Russian and Ukrainian people and their leaders,
that as fellow Orthodox Christians,
they will unite against the evil forces of division and domination
and recognise their common humanity,
rejecting war and its consequences of death and misery
on both sides and re-establish the bonds of peace
which are the rights of all Russian and Ukrainian people.
Amen.
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