A Trip to a Little Village in France

The village of Camembert is situated in the midst of the Auge country, a region of hedge-rowed fields that is home to many of the cheese and cooking specialities that make up the reputation of Normandy. It's also not too far from our house in France, so we took a visit there

In the heart of Normandy, in the village of Camembert, lived a farm woman named Marie Harel. During the French Revolution, she offered refuge to a resistant priest, the Abbott Bonvoust. In return, he gave her his secret for making a cheese from the area. The recipe was passed down from generation to generation. But why have we heard of Camembert cheese? Perhaps above all other cheeses, it is the most famous. There are lots of other great French cheeses, but this one became popular first. In fact by the 19th century in France, it had national renown.

It was because of its little wooden box. transporting cheese was very difficult before the advent of electrical refrigeration. However, by the use of a circular box, the cheese could keep its shape and texture: ready for sale in pristine condition! Much later other cheese makers caught on and the likes of Brie and Pont L'Eveque used a similar approach. But what has this got to do with Orpington and Christ Church (apart from the fact that the vicar likes French cheese - and wine!)?

It teaches us an important lesson. It is not only the 'product' that must be of fine quality, but also the 'delivery'. The best cheese products - if not delivered with care will not be received well. The same is true for the message of the gospel. No, it is not a 'product' (forgive the clumsy analogy), but the good news of Jesus - his compassion and his sacrifice - must be communicated winsomely. In order to get the message to the wider audience, in the best condition, we must be creative and innovative. Each one of us - as Christians - is called by Jesus to share the good news. Do we do so in a way that respects the message and the recipient? Jesus was the perfect example of this. He was both the medium and the message. He was both the cheese and the box!! By that I mean, Jesus was both God and God's good news to humankind.

As we approach the Christmas period, and see again how God came in human form. May we be open to the God who is both the medium and the message - Immanuel: God with us.

Yours, in his service
Jay Colwill