So many more ways to spread our message
On how the word of God spread in the early days
IN RECENT years the volume of letters posted in the United Kingdom has plummeted with half the number being sent compared to 2011.
Email and texting have certainly contributed to this decline, along with the increasing cost of just sending a letter.
It now seems that the main emphasis of the Post Office will be parcel deliveries which has become far more profitable. With more online shopping than ever before we are by now well used to seeing Royal Mail and other delivery vans in our communities. Then again, with substantial increase in postal charges introduced this month and with second-class mail to be delivered midweek it may be that this decline may well continue.
While it’s great to have the convenience of technological communication, there’s nothing quite like having that birthday card or similar greetings from you friendly postman or woman, – or am I being far too sentimental?
Letter writing was, of course, considered important and an art in its day. How many letters and cards have been kept and treasured by friends and lovers expressing their deepest feelings and desires to be read over and over again?
There was, and perhaps remain an etiquette of letter wiring. Concluding a letter ‘Yours faithfully’ for a formal letter or ‘Yours sincerely’ for a more friendly ending would fit the bill. To exclude any form of conclusion would have been considered impolite. Watermarked high quality paper and envelopes would add to the obvious care taken and a first-class stamp would certainly leave a lasting impression!
The New Testament in the Bible has ‘Epistles’ or letters written by the Apostles which expressed their faith and teachings to the early churches of the first century. No postal service or easy form of communication in those days. Just a trusted messenger travelling with scrolls of writings making a perilous journey to bring the precious and much welcomed word of God to the emerging Christian communities.
Traditions of communication may have changed and by today the Bible is more available than ever. In Word, online, TV and in a church or chapel near to you. God’s message to a humanity desperate for Good News– communicating love, peace and forgiveness with God’s ‘Stamp’ on every page – priceless and without cost!