It was a very dark time 2,000 years ago in the region we know as the Middle East. The Roman Empire, in a desire to continue its warring and building projects, sought to raise yet more taxes from the oppressed peoples in their empire. Political opportunism and corruption reigned in Jerusalem under a megalomaniac puppet king — Herod the Great.

The players have changed but the Middle East today is still in turmoil. The world is in turmoil. I have recently returned from a six-week sabbatical, literally stepping “off grid” to spend time in prayer, time alone with God.

It was perhaps one of the most challenging times of my life, physically and spiritually, as I had to come face to face with my own frailty and some inner demons, after a year of some significant bereavement. But the God I serve was there, bringing his grace and love to bear and restoring a sense of inner peace that has been lacking for a while.

But in coming home with a sense of freshness and renewal, I find that, even in Bermuda, for many life is like a pressure cooker, and the busyness and demands of this Christmas season do little to assuage the sense of anxiety, anger and sadness that many feel.

While many celebrate, many are weeping.

Two thousand years ago, in a very small and insignificant town in Judea, something was unfolding that gives the possibility of great joy to all people.

Angels appeared in the sky announcing to a group of hardened shepherds that a Saviour had come. But the form was that of a baby, born in obscurity to a teenage girl, who would shortly thereafter flee with her new husband as refugees to escape an assassination attempt.

Interesting! A Saviour who grew up in an ordinary working-class home, facing all of the usual struggles of life. A Saviour who then came out of hiding to show us what God is really like and to open up a way for anyone who would receive him a pathway to a life of purpose here and eternity.

This little “sideshow” then has potential even now to bring hope, life, peace, joy and purpose even now.

Christmas is really about that. It’s about the extraordinary creative God becoming an ordinary person like us to show the way and lead us back to Him and to break down the selfishness and sin, the division and hatred between us, if only we would receive Him and live following in His steps.

My prayer as we go through the family rituals and celebrations, as we look out to neighbours and our community to demonstrate love and giving we would invite and experience this Saviour, who loves us, and knows our deepest needs — in to our mundane, ordinary, and at times complex existence bringing not just a new perspective, but genuine life and healing.

Join us this Christmas season in celebrating this Saviour — at a church near you — and know that you are loved by a God who understands, hears and is present to all who call on Him.

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas and a joy-filled and peaceful new year.

• The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda