A season of goodwill

2009-12-14

One of my duties as Civic Chaplain this year is to attend meetings of the Borough Council.  At the last one - just a week ago - after the proceedings got underway with prayer, there was an item on the agenda that enjoyed the support of all the politicians present.  This was the Presentation of Awards when winners of a variety of awards gathered to receive them from the Mayor.

Of these awards, the first was to Dan Walton who had been named Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School, winning a national competition.  The second went to well-known local historian and archaeologist, Victor Smith, for his tireless work - and that of his group - on the Cold War Bunker in Wrotham Road.  Next came two Council employees - Carl Fenn and Joanne Rayfield - who had just completed their apprenticeships and were clearly popular colleagues.  Bryan Portway received an award recognising the news that Gravesend Town Centre had kept its 'silver award' status in the South and South East in Bloom Awards.  There was a clutch of awards connected with the work on local Cobham Park and Darnley Museum - which had relied heavily on the work of skilled professionals.  Finally, there were awards to the dedicated staff responsible for the borough's public conveniences, three of which had won top marks in the 'Loo of the Year' awards.

What all these awards shared, as they were presented, was a sense of goodwill on the part of those receiving them.  Each one had gone 'the extra mile', showing dedication and enthusiasm for the task.  I found it a very moving occasion, and the loud applause showed how much the contribution of each one was valued.

Christmas is often called the 'season of goodwill' and rightly so, as we are encouraged to put other people before ourselves and to remember those who are 'less fortunate' than we are.  It's a reminder of the angels whose voices rang out to the shepherds gathered in the fields - peace on earth, goodwill to men.  The goodwill came from God and it came in the form of a little baby, born in Bethlehem.  It was an inauspicious beginning for the Messiah - the one sent by God as Saviour - but that divine goodwill remains an example to us.  It has transformed countless lives and continues to do so.  It is the true spirit of Christmas.