Countless people are still held hostage by unnamed guerilla and terorrist groups.  Others are imprisoned for their beliefs.  A man is released from death row after 20years.  People released from Guantanamo face extradition and fresh charges.  Tomorrow I have a mega pastoral situation to deal with, which may well spoil a family's Christmas.  As I have pondered these facts, words from E Nesbitt's classic The Railway Children came to mind...

It is after the Russian gentleman has been taken in by the family, after the mother has had news about the children's father (in jail for fraud) that, at the end of Chapter 5 we find these words...

Presently [mother] said, "Dears, when you say your prayers, I think you might ask God to show His pity upon all prisoners and captives."

"To show His pity," Bobbie repeated slowly, "upon all prisoners and captives. Is that right, Mother?"

"Yes," said Mother, "upon all prisoners and captives. All prisoners and captives."

 

May it be God's word to us, this Christmas time.