Hallelujah!

This is the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ. We take the opportunity to have a break from our usual everyday activities and meet with friends and family whom we may not have seen for some time, or at least send them a card with perhaps an update of what we

The Hope of Peace

The world seems anything but peaceful at the moment. We hear of wars, shootings, protests and other disruptions caused by people and nations. There are also natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes and floods. All of these bring suffering and hardship to hundreds, if not thousands, of people around the world. Even if we are

In Remembrance

There is a rich patchwork of ways in which individuals, groups and communities hold things in remembrance: whether that be the news of a birth, someone’s death, or an anniversary of some sort. I have been going through times of change in my life having lost my sibling last year and my Mum this year.

Anticipation

The story of Jesus’ birth so often told at Christmas time is one which is very well known. Even those who aren’t in any way religious would still most likely be able to tell you at least a few of the things which happened. But there are some lesser known parts of the tale which

A humble start

This is the time of year when we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He was born to be a king, but had a very humble beginning. We are told in Luke’s gospel: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman

The birth of Christ

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.   Luke 2 v 11-12

Let’s Celebrate!

Everyone loves a celebration.  It’s a time to forget routine and everyday matters, and instead to enjoy time with friends or family, or both, to mark a special occasion.  It could be the birth of a child, passing an exam, getting a job, a wedding or a significant birthday.  Whatever the event, celebrating involves forgetting

O Holy Night

Christmas is the time of year when we remember the birth of Jesus, our Saviour.  His birth was so special that angels were sent to announce it to shepherds watching their flocks near Bethlehem, and later, wise men came to visit the one who was to become King. Although Jesus had a humble birth and

The real meaning of Christmas

Season’s Greetings! Yes, it’s that time of year again, when the Christmas message makes its way around the world. And what exactly is that message? What the average greetings card will tell you is that Christ is born in Bethlehem, and that is fair enough – but there’s much more than that. The Gospel of

Trust in times of uncertainty

In Luke 1 v 26-38 we read the story of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she was to give birth to the world’s saviour. Mary was engaged, but not yet married, and as such, she was a virgin. This is uncommon in our day and age. But in Mary’s time, it