End of Year Letter 2025

Christmas Greetings from CViE

May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your interest in and support of our work through another year. How quickly the year has passed, yet there is much to render praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for His mercies and goodness to us, both personally, collectively and as a charity.

As we find the season of marking the Saviour’s birth upon us, we do well to remember the almost complete ignorance of this highly significant event in those days. Just a handful of people witnessed the supposed insignificance of His coming in Bethlehem, a small city yet conferred the greatest honour in being the birthplace of the Son of God. How similar to today, where the Holy Word of God is similarly ignored and refuted. Yet, we are favoured and privileged to hold it in our hands and read it freely, not a liberty extended to all parts of the earth. How much do we really treasure its pages and remember that here is wisdom, the royal law, the lively oracles of God?

One of the carols sung at my school’s carol service this year really struck me for the simplicity of the language, ‘No Small Wonder’. Despite the wonder of those witnesses that did see it, we find a highly significant BUT in each verse which speaks of the eternal Son of God, His sacrifice at Calvary and His redeeming love to us. How utterly amazed we should be at the wonder of God made man, and like the shepherds, come with haste to worship and adore Him:

Small wonder the star. small wonder the light,

the angels in chorus, the shepherds in fright;

But stable and manger for God –

no small wonder!

Small wonder the kings, small wonder they bore

the gold and the incense, the myrrh, to adore;

But God gives his life on a cross –

no small wonder!

Small wonder the love, small wonder the grace,

the power, the glory, the light of his face;

But all to redeem my poor heart –

no small wonder

(Words by Paul Edwards)

The sanctity of life, a core Christian value, has always been in the sights of the enemy, but 2025 has seen downgrades in that realm that are deeply troubling to Bible-believing Christians.

In June MPs voted to decriminalise abortion – including after 24 weeks – by a significant majority. An effort to stop the ‘temporary’ pills-by-post abortions was soundly defeated. The vote was on an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, and still must pass in the Commons and the Lords before it can become law. For the pro-abortion lobby, it was hailed as a great victory, but it is a source of shame for our nation.

A few days later, assisted dying – euthanasia – was approved in England and Wales after the third reading of a bill that many considered to be rushed. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will allow those in England and Wales deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live to receive help to kill themselves. Despite the serious and credible warnings about the grave dangers of euthanasia, MPs voted by 330 to 275 in favour of legalisation, and it is now before the House of Lords. Similarly for the pro-suicide lobby it was seen as cause for celebration, however it is a source of great sorrow for our nation.

Christians must remain vigilant. Danny Kruger MP, speaking of Parliament, said, “We are the safeguard — this place, this Parliament; you and me. We are the people who protect the most vulnerable in society from harm, and yet we stand on the brink of abandoning that role.” We trust in a Sovereign God, and will not give way to despair – even as important values are cast aside by those who ought to yet fail to protect life. We pray on that He will appear over this matter.

For CViE, 2025 has been as active as ever, and we are so grateful to God for His favour throughout. We were pleased to publish a new publication, ‘Comparative Religions’, and host an online meeting on developments in education, and our website has seen a number of thoughtful personal reflections from our Trustees.

Two important advancements have been the distribution of a new Prayer Diary, and the launch of a Book Review Library to assist parents in directing their child’s reading. Undoubtedly the highlight of the year was the blessing of the National Conference in Luton, when the Lord allowed so many helpful elements to come together for the good of His people. Videos of the main speakers are available via our YouTube channel.

As we look into 2026 and the unknown way before us, may we be living by the words of James’ epistle in considering that, despite the challenges, we have a great God who rules over all things.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With Christian greetings,