December Reflection – Share Goodness: Sharing the Good News
By Amanda Allchorn
Amanda Allchorn is a former National Chair and Trustee of GBEW, and has been involved with GBEW since 2015. During her time in office between 2016 -2019, she was thrilled to attend the ICGB in Zambia in July 2018 with a small team from England & Wales, an experience she will never forget. She continues to stay in touch informally with our International President Priscilla Penny and GBEW National Director Jules Murdy.
Amanda is Granny to 3 adorable grandchildren under the age of three, a Spiritual Director for women primarily in church and secular leadership in the UK and France. She also co-leads annual retreats for Anglican Women in SW France. Amanda is currently a Trustee for Churches Together in England, and a Waterways Chaplain. She is semi-retired from a career in professional corporate and church senior leadership roles mainly in the City of London and Oxfordshire. Since her husband retired as a Headteacher in 2019, life is busier than ever before!
As I write this reflection my family are celebrating the safe arrival of our 3rd grandchild Eliana Grace, our 2nd granddaughter in our family in 3 months. We were so delighted and humbled at the excitement sharing our news created, especially at a time like this… good news was exactly what everyone needed to hear!
2020 has been a year like no other. As I look out across the world, I have been reflecting back on GB in a year dominated by the effects of Covid-19. The way amazing GB Leaders have been role models demonstrating Christ’s love, kindness, joy, patience and also creativity, resilience and courage. This month our Focus is ‘Sharing Goodness’ and alongside this how we share the ‘Good News’.
As we all look forward prayerfully, reflecting together on our theme, and on our Advent journey, the Christmas story in Luke 2 :8-20, of the Shepherds came to mind. You may recall, the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherd’s, often the most marginalised people in society, and chose them to share the news that Christ was born. They went obediently then to Bethlehem and found the new Born King baby Jesus, after which with great excitement, they ‘spread the word of Jesus’ birth. As I prayed with this passage, I couldn’t help wondering whether there were any women there too, as female shepherds did exist, just as they do today. We pick up the passage at verse 15.
Luke 2:15-20 (NIV)
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
I would like to invite each of us this Advent to consider ways we can share the Good News of Christ. By both what we say and do. Each of us can find ways of sharing the Christmas story, in the way that is natural for us either in our GB Groups or individually. Perhaps we could send someone in who is lonely a card and Christmas message of hope, make a gift of food or offer to help someone in need. In all of this too, to give ourselves time alone with God, perhaps with this passage, to ask to be re-inspired to have the confidence and energy to share His good news with others.
2000 years ago, the amazing news of the new Born King Jesus, bought great excitement. Wouldn’t it be amazing this Advent if we could all do or say just one thing, to share the Good News. Our world needs more than ever before to know the transforming love and hope that the New Born King brings.
My husband and I are not sure yet, when we can safely meet our new granddaughter, but the joy and excitement of the news of her safe arrival have been so precious.
May God bless you richly, as we travel through Advent together.
Just as Mary did, let’s ponder in our hearts all God has shown us, and whatever our circumstances praise Him for sending His own Son to save each one of us.
