WORD OF THE WEEK

IT really does not seem that long ago when we were celebrating Christmas in the short days and long nights of December.

Since then, we have been spared the worst of any snow but seen more rain than in many a year. Despite the water-logged fields, parks and gardens we have been blessed with so many signs of new life and growth, even the grass needs cutting again! We have also probably all felt better coming out of the darkness of winter into the longer days and shorter nights, and that process will become even more significant this coming Sunday when the clocks spring forth an hour.

This coming Sunday, coincidentally, is Easter Sunday when we celebrate new life symbolised in chocolate eggs, young chicks and fresh picked flowers.

However, as with the new life in the beauty of creation around us there has to be a time of dying back and death, before new life can begin.

The Christian season of Lent, that began back at Shrovetide, with it’s forty days of reflection and simplicity, ended this last weekend.

That brought us to this Holy Week, the most important week in the Christian calendar, which culminates with Jesus’ death on the cross on Good Friday.

It’s the day when Ashbourne Churches Together will meet as Christians in Ashbourne with a Walk of Witness, taking time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice that He made for us.

All are welcome to join us for this event, starting at 12noon on the Market Place and taking a slow walk down to Victoria

Square and then finishing off at Shrovetide Walk.

The bleakness and solemnity of that day then bursts forth into new life on Easter day with the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead bringing hope to us all.