Skip to main content

A Christmas message from our Lay Pastoral Visitor and Co-ordinator

Image
By
Dear Friends,                                    
Joyeux Noel!

A favourite group of mine is the Carnival Band with Maddy Prior. They have a song called ‘Stuff’. Some of the words are:-

Christmas time is here again,
Time for family, time for friends,
Time for church bells, time for snow,
Tinsel, robins, firelight glow,
There is time, but not enough –
To get ourselves a load of stuff.

The song goes on to parody our greed at Christmas. 

During my Local Preacher training, we were introduced to the Charles Wesley’s Hymn (H & P 109) Let Earth & Heaven Combine. The last two lines in the first verse are:-

Our God contracted to a span,
 incomprehensibly made man.

For me, this had a profound effect in my walk with the Lord. The fact that our God was reduced to a hand span (you can hold a baby in the span of your hand) and that we cannot comprehend why he did this. Yet he did this because he LOVES us. He gave his Son to be born and die for everyone.
As Christians, how do we see this season of Advent and Christmas?  Advent (Lat. adventus, “coming, arrival) is the time of year when we prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child. But how do we prepare for this? This preparation can take many forms. It often involves the infamous School Nativity Play, or is our Christmas tree better than our neighbours?  Or as Christians, do we feel superior to the worldliness of Advent and Christmas?  I wonder what kind of picture of Jesus we present, not just in our churches but as individual Christians.

We see many nativity scenes presented to us. A very wise minister once asked our church, What is your Image of Jesus? Is it the baby in the manger? Then, over the years, has your image of Jesus changed? If it has not, then you are not maturing in the faith. Jesus changed from a baby to a man who died on the cross in pain for YOU. If we are growing in faith, then Jesus must grow with us. In this Advent season, I urge everyone to examine themselves and see where we are with Jesus.
We have a wonderful opportunity at this time of year to share Jesus with the world, both as Churches and Individuals.  H&P 465 says:-

 We have a gospel to proclaim,
 Good news for all throughout the earth.

In this time of the year, let us spread the word ‘The Christ has come’, wherever we are.

A very Happy Christmas to everyone.

John Wilson

Lay Pastoral Visitor and Co-ordinator

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

For such times as these! - A good news story from Windhill!

By
For such times as these! (Esther 14:14) On June 1st James Stannet (from e:merge , a Christian Youth organisation) began his youth work for Christchurch LEP in Windhill. He says, "Well! June has been a really busy but very productive month. On Wednesday, in the park, numbers are climbing week by week, now averaging 25. Good partnerships have been made with local organisations. this has been a blessing: enabling us to deliver varied sport activities and build good relationships.' 'The Hope Revolution, youth event, based at Christchurch LEP was a massive hit. A BIG Thank you is expressed to the Church for the support, encouragement and prayers. 200 people attended the Fun Day. Despite the rainy weather, 100 young people took part in local projects: two house clear-ups, school garden project (Windhill Primary) and running the Fun Day. 10 Christian Organisations working together resulting in several families requesting Christian children's activities.' ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Called to Preach? A Taster Session

By
Called to Preach? A Taster Session for the Local Preacher Training Course in West Yorkshire and Surrounding Areas starting this Autumn will be held on Saturday 4 th October at  Trinity Methodist Church Duckett Street, Skipton, BD23 2EJ from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm (Drinks available from 10 am) The course is a District alternative to Faith and Worship, it is user friendly, well supported and assessed by worship portfolios. Some people feel sure of their 'call to preach' but for others the first steps are very tentative. It is a process of discernment that is shared by the Church. This day will provide an opportunity to look at the course outline, ask questions and hear from participants on the current course. More details from Revd Richard Atkinson, Core Tutor telephone: 01756 793522 or Liz Whitfield, Course Administrator West Yorkshire District
Post a Comment
Read more

Circuit Talents Challenge

By
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money ..." Matthew 25:14-30 Why don't you take up the Circuit Talents Challenge by taking a £5 note and making it grow for the Circuit? More details ...
Post a Comment
Read more