St Aelred was one of the great Cistercians of the North of England in the twelfth century. The ruins of his monastery can still be seen today and are impressive in their grace and style. He himself is known as the ‘St Bernard of the North’. He said: ‘We should consider how much good our Lord did us, by His first coming and how much more He will do for us, by His second. This thought will help us, to have a great love for that first coming of His and a great longing for His return’.

Placed as we are within the Christmas season, it is fitting that we continue to reflect on the first coming of the Lord, as St Aelred suggests. So may we begin the prepare for His second coming, the time of which we do not know. His love and mercy are the bridge and the fulfilment; may we trust ourselves to them entirely, and may God bless you this day.