Seasonal message from the Provincial Grand Chaplain

Provincial Grand Chaplain Brian Roberts writes:

Dear Brethren how quickly Christmas seems to come around, or perhaps it is simply our busy modern lives that cause the months to pass by quicker than we realise. Certainly the Masonic planning in the Grimsby office for the Provincial Grand Master’s team visits involves the seeking out and double checking of attendances months ahead of the actual day – the dates seem so far away when you first see them, but then before know where you are the summonses start to come through! So yes brethren time does fly and you are all busy people. However, I am hoping that you are not too busy to read this short message reminding us of the Christmas story. The message is essentially one of hope.

 The arrival of the Christ child over two thousand years ago gave hope to the world that His life of sacrifice in favour of us all reminds us that however down we may be feeling there is a bright star above us that we can look to for strength to handle the difficulties in life. This is easy to say to someone when you are feeling ok yourself but the real test is whether you can take on board the other person’s problem and to try to assist.

 Yet even after extreme suffering sometimes it happens that a light appears to guide us through the pain. Look at the efforts that Chris Jones has put in over many months to express his heartfelt thanks for the help that was given to him at a seriously difficult time. His return to Lincolnshire will be a relief for him, his family and supporters and we give thanks for his safe return and the contribution that his walk will make to so many families through the 2025 Festival fund.

 I would like us to think about such acts of selflessness for a moment because the Christmas story encourages us at this time of year to do so. The characteristics of selflessness are not restricted to Christian deeds as I can illustrate from a recent non- Christian reading which I found in a book of Celtic prayer. In it was illustrated an example of a “mitzvah” which is a “commandment” but which generally passes for a “good deed” in practical terms. In the twelfth century a Jewish writer Moses Maimonides in his “Guide for the Perplexed”(I can relate to that title brethren!) devised eight ways of working a “mitzvah” to attract God’s attention whilst performing a charitable act. The highest level of giving is that which makes the man who needs charity self supporting. Without going through all of the mitzvah levels, the seventh highest stage fits Masonry especially well, as it is that where neither the giver nor the receiver know each other.

 Through Masonic charity the generous Mason does not always know who the recipient will be, only that a good deed has been done for the benefit of an as yet unnamed group or person. Chris Jones  does not know in detail who will benefit from his efforts, it is sufficient that he knows that someone will. Eventually, as the Masonic process works its way through, both the giver and receiver finally get to know each other if, for example, a public presentation is made.

 Brethren you are all good men as far as the theme of this message is concerned, for you give generously of yourselves in time and money to the service of others, as far as it is within your capability to do so. Whilst our charitable instinct is heightened at this time of year what you do for others in the rest of the year is just as important.

Finally I wish you and your families a very happy and safe Christmas time.

“Let us think of those less fortunate than ourselves at this Christmas time- those who have no home or family or friends that they may be comforted
Let us think of those who are without the things in life that we take for granted,
Let us think of those who have to work at Christmas that we may remain safe and comfortable
Let us think of those who have to travel at this busy time that their journeys will be safe and successful
Let us think of those who are sick and too ill to be at home
Lastly, let us pray for all in need at Christmas time and ask for the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe upon them” Amen.

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