Christmas Adjournment

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

My comments tonight are about the greatest story ever told. I want to cast people’s minds back to the first Christmas. I think of the distance that a young couple had to journey with no hotel booked and no way of knowing what the future held; I think of that young couple going through the most worrying time in their life with no help or support, wondering what the day would bring for their family. They had only their faith in God, which had called them to accept His will. They were uncertain, frightened and alone—how many families in each of our communities feel that way today? They need to know that God has a plan for their lives, and that He will bring an innkeeper who will provide.

I think of those rough and ready shepherds on the hillside—the forgotten men of society, ignored or frowned upon for their work and for being unlearned. These men were used to fading into the background, yet on that night God reminded them that He saw them and that they had a role to play. He sent not simply one angel but a heavenly host to give them the good news that the saviour of the world was born. This reminds me that there is always hope and a future for all. No matter where we are at a particular time, when we meet Christ, it can all change.

I think of the journey that those wise men undertook—years of travelling to find the truth and discover the true light of the world—and how this reminds us all to use our gifts and talents in this House and in our lives for His glory and to follow His commands to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. It reminds us all that we should be thankful for the Christian foundation of this nation. I am also thankful that the Gospel is for all and that everyone who kneels at the feet of Jesus can be changed.

The greatest story ever told is what we call the story of the Bible—the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. I believe it is the greatest truth that can be told about the power of Christmas acceptance, faith and hope, which remain today all wrapped up in the love of God, which is demonstrated in Christ Jesus.

This Christmas, I am thankful for my family, my friends, my community and my colleagues. Above all, though, I am thankful for Christ, my saviour God, humbled and born to lie in a manger, to walk this earth and to die an awful death on the cross for my salvation—and all our salvation—and to give us all hope and a future not just at Christmas, but all year through. Emmanuel, God with us then and now.

I thank you for calling me, Madam Deputy Speaker, and wish all right hon. and hon. Members a merry Christmas and a happy new year. May God bring you all the blessings that he should.