A BISHOP has delivered a message of hope in his last Christmas address before he retires.
The Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Reverend Alan Smithson, is due to move at the end of the month after 11 years in the position.
The bishop will move from his North-East diocese to western Scotland, becoming honorary assistant Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway.
Bishop Smithson will be replaced by the Venerable John Pritchard, Archdeacon of Canterbury.
In his Christmas message, he highlights conflicts and disasters, including the suicide bombings in Jerusalem, the September 11 atrocities and the war in Afghanistan.
In his letter, he urges people to think of the Christmas message in simple terms, and continue to seek happiness in spite of tragedy.
He says: "The One who made the Heavens and Earth made His home among us to share our sorrows and joys and bring us hope.
"So us this Christmas live as children of hope, a hope which the humble robin embodies in his tiny blood red breast.
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