There are many things I don’t understand. One of them is why anyone would wish to be Prime Minister. Particularly now. I’m grateful that strangely someone does.
How swiftly the message of ‘peace on earth to all men’ can recede in Christmas’s wake. I shan’t wade into the Brexit debate. But at the start of this New Year the political wrangling and many uncertainties cast a heavy shadow. ‘The hopes and fears of all the years’ we sung; these now seem condensed into an event in March around which debate has become increasingly toxic.
‘Here’s a New Year message for you: the earth is protected by me and my mates, this year and every year.’ So says Dr Who in the trailer for the New Year’s Day episode. I am gutted that this will apparently be the only episode in 2019. I love Dr Who in all his/her incarnations. Jodi Whittaker and her predecessors give us a Messiah figure, saviour, role model, scientist – and theologian.
A recent episode was set in the witch-hunts of seventeenth century England. A woman justifies killing suspected witches by quoting from the new King James Bible. Dr Who’s reply? ‘That’s in the Old Testament – there’s a twist in the sequel: “love your neighbour”.’ Thank you, Dr Who, not just for quoting Christ, but for showing that love rises 
above narrow judgements. As Mother Theresa said, ’If you judge people, you have no time to love them’. (Dr Who also gives a pertinent lesson in interpreting the Bible: read the Old Testament through the eyes of the New.)
Dr Who continues the theme. ‘I like love,’ she says. ‘It’s like hope – like hope it abides’. This time it’s St Paul she echoes – ‘these three abide, faith, hope and love.’ And faith features to complete the trio: ‘Keep your faith, travel hopefully – the universe will surprise you,’ encourages Dr Who.
Going into the year ahead, we need things which abide and rise above the divisions. Faith, hope and love: may yours abide, and flourish, in 2019.
A final quote, from Winnie the Pooh. ‘What day is it?’ asked Pooh. ‘It’s today,’ squeaked Piglet. ‘My favourite day,’ said Pooh. May the year also bring appreciation of the jewels present each day.
