Births Fr Patrick writes…
In 2023 there were 591,072 live births in England and Wales, the lowest number since 1977, according to figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics. The total fertility rate in England and Wales dropped to 1.44 children per woman, its lowest since records began in 1938. A fertility rate of about 2.1 is required to sustain the size of a population. Population growth in the UK is attributable to people living longer and to immigration rather than to birth rate. There were less births despite there being more women of childbearing age than ever before, 12 million. The average age for becoming a new dad has risen to 33.8 and a new mum to 30.9.
Research by UCL on 32-year-olds shows that the most common reason cited for delaying having children is not feeling ready. It is clear that financial pressures and work-related reasons often lie behind this, as well as the difficulty of finding the right partner. I am reminded of the saying, “There is never a convenient time for having a baby.”
Sometimes a sense of pessimism can lie behind the decision not to have children. There is a concern that an extra child might contribute to over population and increased carbon emissions. It feels a bit risky to bring a child into a world so troubled by war, inequalities and climate change.
At Christmas time we celebrate God sending his own son into the world as a baby. We know that Mary and Joseph faced many pressures and difficulties; the Roman occupation, forced registration, birth far from home, and then becoming refugees in Egypt. But these difficulties do not distract from the great joy of Christmas. Mary and Joseph made space for the child and welcomed him as best they could. In fact, the various difficulties seem only to highlight the great hope expressed in the birth of Jesus, God’s investment in the world, his entrusting his son to an earthy home and to human frailty. And God entrusts his son to the world knowing full well that it won’t all go well. There will be sufferings and difficulties andultimately death. But it is still worth it. Thank God, human beings are worth it!
So, this Christmas, let’s celebrate this hope.
With prayers and best wishes, Fr Patrick
| CofE Additional Collect
for Christmas Eve Almighty God, as we prepare with joy to celebrate the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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