End of Year Letter – Season’s Greetings from CViE

‘How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given,

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven;

No ear may hear His coming but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.’

Dear Friends and Supporters of Christian Values in Education,

As we come to the close of 2024, it is time to look back over the past twelve months and give thanks for the Lord’s goodness to us as an organisation, as well as to consider the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as a baby at Bethlehem. How easily we can sing the well-loved verses of many a Christmas carol or hymn, without reflecting on their timeless truths. In 1865 Phillips Brooks, the author of O little town of Bethlehem, travelled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve and visited the spot where the Lord Jesus was said to have be born. The wonder of it inspired him to write the carol for a Christmas Sunday School service. Whatever our view on how we should mark this season of the year, we pray that by faith we may go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass. We pray that the Lord will make it known to each of us, as it was to the shepherds in Luke 2.

The recent Parliamentary vote in favour of assisted suicide is a great grief to the Lord’s people. Thank you to everyone who responded to our statement on this and wrote to their Members of Parliament, and those who sent positive feedback. Very little time was spent debating this on the day, compared to that which many other, more trivial matters, have received. By comparison, the Fox Hunting Bill twenty years before was given over 700 hours. There was much fervent prayer that the vote would be rejected; may we earnestly pray on that the Lord will overturn what will be a seismic societal change. May there also be continued earnest prayer for all Members of Parliament, that their hearts may be changed and leaders raised up who live according to Biblical principles. The election in the summer brought about the departure of a few who have stood for right things, leaving an even smaller number. We pray that they will know continued courage to stand firm for the truth.

We thank all of our supporters for their kindness in supporting our work through another year. The Lord has abundantly supplied our practical needs and given help to all who have been involved. It is heartening to receive financial support as well as encouragement from different churches around the country. Your prayerful interest, as well as sacrificial giving, is much appreciated.

I would also extend a big thank you to our fellow Officers and Trustees, as well as our Business Development Manager Tim Wills, without whom the work could not continue. Behind the scenes, our ongoing work with publications, organising meetings and the National Conference has been quietly progressing. This year, we have started a new project to update and review several of our booklets to reflect changes and ensure we have a consistent format. Our most recent printing was the booklet ‘The Christian View of Gambling’, which was available at the Conference in September. Please contact us if you would like further copies, together with any of our publications. We hope to publish more revised editions in the coming year, God-willing, as well as improving the functionality of our website.

Our Online Meet-Ups have been well attended this year. In March, Julie Maxwell from Lovewise spoke regarding the right approach to Relationships Education, as well as advising on the forthcoming former Government’s Gender Consultation – it can be viewed here. She also spoke on their new publication for teens called ‘Challenges for living God’s way‘. Last month, our second Zoom Meeting saw a good attendance, with positive interaction afterwards. David Kay spoke with authority on the decline of education and how parents have a God-given responsibility to make Biblical choices for their children.

Our National Conference in September was again well-attended with over 350 coming to The King’s Centre in Chessington on the day. We collaborated with Truth in Science and the theme was ‘Foundations’, considering the need to be rooted in Genesis 1-11. We were thankful to have outstanding presentations from Professors Stuart Burgess, Steve Taylor and Andy McIntosh (available to view here), together with breakout sessions for all ages. A highlight was seeing over 150 children and teenagers attending, for whom we especially pray that the Lord will work in their young hearts. A good range of exhibitors also attended. Please make a note for your diary for our Conference next year which, if the Lord will, is to be held on Saturday, 27^th September 2025.

Our sin-cursed world is more troubled than ever as we close the year, with international conflict, political uncertainty and unrest seen in many places, besides the passing of erroneous laws. In our much-loved land, the liberal and godless attitude of many in authority continues, it seems, to prevail. Yet, we would give thanks that whatever may come to pass, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. God IS in control, and will certainly have the last word. His Word stands as true as ever, and we do well to heed its warnings and to pray to be prepared for a never-ending eternity. Another verse of a children’s hymn comes to mind when we think of the unknown future, especially the important recognition of who is in charge:

‘Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown,

Jesus we know – and He is on the throne.’

May we know His grace and help in all our ways.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and the Lord’s blessing in the New Year.

Thanks be unto God, for His unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9.15)

With Christian greetings,