Chaplain's Christmas Message - Wigan Warriors
Well, we weren’t expecting that!
Whenever we take a trip, we always anticipate a decent room! I don’t know about you, but I love a good hotel, with all the facilities, most of which I never use. If I have to ‘rough it’, I don’t mind but not when I’m travelling with my wife – oh no, Wigan people have standards, I think that you will agree!
For example, a great selection on the breakfast buffet (I’m a three-course man personally) and our room and bathroom must be spotless. I can’t imagine the conversation between Mary and Joseph, that first Christmas Eve as they arrived in Bethlehem: “Joe it’s a stable!” “You are kidding me? Surely there’s a bathroom, this cannot be happening!” “Joe, I’m nine months pregnant, and not a little unemotional! I thought you had booked in advance. Please tell me you looked at the reviews on trip advisor!”
Well, it’s true that everyone has a story. Everyone’s story matters (matters to you and I believe, matters to God). Nobody gets the story they want. Certainly, Mary didn’t get the story she anticipated. However, it’s about working with what you have and those close to you, to turn the barriers into building blocks to make your story great again.
As a Club, we haven’t always had the story we wanted this year. We suffered the tragic loss of special people, Carol Madden and Debbie Marshall. However, with Kris Radlinski, Matt Peet and the whole Club pulling together and pressing forward, we found the building blocks to make the story of our season great! Carol and Debbie would have been so proud to see Matt receive the BBC Sports Personality Team of the year award for 2024.
How about you? What’s your story? Decide to make it great! The Christmas story is a great story – Christians believe that Jesus started in extremely deprived circumstances. He lived in poverty and was murdered on a cruel Roman cross. Christians believe the good news that Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death. He understands your story. He wants you to make room for him…Invite him into your story this Christmas!
As a Club, we thank you for your loyal support this year and we look forward to welcoming you back next season.
On behalf of us all, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
