Christmas is a time of year when we can all be grateful for the good things that we are able to enjoy.
At the heart of the Christmas story is a really important truth: when things are hard and difficult, goodness will always come through in the end.
The original Christmas story is one of great joy and celebration, but also of a tiny baby who was born in extremely difficult and fragile circumstances. We celebrate that birth at Christmas because, whether we proclaim a Christian faith or not, we have learned over the centuries that good always comes through in the end – that is our hope.
It’s easy to say, I know, but it is the lived experience of so many down through the generations. It may not happen overnight, but it usually happens over time!
This is a time of year, also, to stop and give thanks for the good things that we receive and those in our lives who somehow make life easier. I would like to give thanks to my Deputy and all the town councillors and, of course, all of the council officers who are employed in the civic centre and around the town positively contributing to the lives we live in this lovely town.
On a personal level I give thanks for the love and kindness of my extended family and for good and faithful friends who also enrich my life. This year, another beautiful grandson was added to our number and to the town of Warminster. A rich blessing indeed!
Mostly, though, as we approach Christmas, I would like to thank you, the wonderful people of Warminster for your support and kindness to me during my mayoral year and for contributing, all of you, to the wonderful and truly special place Warminster is. It has been one of the greatest privileges and honours of my life to serve as your mayor since May of this year.
I would like to ask one thing of you all – please reach out this Christmas to those whom you know to be less fortunate or who are alone, to enrich their lives and to make their Christmas a little happier.
However you celebrate, and whomever you celebrate with, I wish you all every happiness and much peace this Christmas and good health and harmony in the New Year to come.
Andrew Cooper
