Stephen Cottrell, who will become the temporary leader of the Church in England in January in place of the outgoing archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the church must "kneel in penitence and adoration" this Christmas and "be changed".
Cottrell noted that at the centre of the nativity was a "tiny, vulnerable child" and stressed that the C of E "needs simply to look at this vulnerable child, at this emptying out of power, to demonstrate the power of love, for it is in this tiny, vulnerable child that we are invited to see God".
He emphasised the imperative to look out for the needs of others "who are cold and hungry this Christmas, those who are victims of abuse and exploitation, those who like a little holy family, have to flee oppression and seek refuge in a foreign land".
This story is from the December 26, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 26, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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