Friday 22 December 2017

Watching, waiting and wondering





Three more sleeps until Christmas. Advent is almost at an end. Over the next couple of days preparations will be made, journeys will be undertaken and gifts will be wrapped. All will be made ready - let Christmas begin.


As we prepare, we join Mary and Joseph in anticipation of a new beginning. The birth of a child brings many changes. Life will never be the same again.

At Christmas there is a heightened sense of not just new beginnings but also of endings. We look back over the past year and remember. It is the season for joy but these last days of waiting can bring sorrow and anxiety.

We continue to watch, to wait and to wonder.

Saturday 16 December 2017

Hospitality and hope

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem is at the centre of the Christmas story. Although not much of a place it was here that Jesus was welcomed into the world. In Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were offered hospitality by a hard pressed innkeeper. And on that night hope came into the world in a new and special way.

Over the Christmas period churches open their doors in welcome. Many offer hospitality in the form of meals and mince pies. The nativity story will be told through carols and readings. Jesus will be worshipped as light and hope for the world.

Most local churches will, like the little town of Bethlehem, know themselves to be small and insignificant. The hospitality they offer will, like that of the innkeeper, seem inadequate. Despite all this, hope will once again be born into the world as the birth of the Holy Child is celebrated.

Monday 11 December 2017

Christmas trees and nativities

Baptists in Bridgwater have been busy with trees and nativity scenes of late. Three trees and a knitted nativity set at church, one of each in the shop window and a final tree in the Methodist Church Christmas Tree Festival.

Our Baptist ancestors might not have approved. The mix of sacred and secular that defines our modern Christmas can be hard to handle for people of faith.

A Toy and Nativity service at the Methodist Church yesterday brought the elements together in a special way. Surrounded by trees, Baptists, Methodists and visitors shared together in a service including a nativity play. Children and adults together told the story of the coming of the Christ Child. Presents were left to be passed on to children in our town for whom this Christmas might otherwise be bleak.

For me, the contradictions and tensions of Christmas melt away like the snow that almost arrived yesterday. The next two weeks will be full of community, caring and sharing as together we celebrate God's gift in Jesus.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

Window dressing

The Christmas Window is now up. Thanks to Biddiscombes for this annual opportunity and to all who contributed items to the display.

Our theme is peace. Doves were made by our CAMEO and Make It On A Monday groups to grace the display.

Last Sunday, the first in Advent, we prayed for peace in our troubled times. Everyone at the service wrote their hopes for peace on a paper dove. These are hanging on the prayer tree at the front of the window.

Take a look at the window if you can.  And pray with us for peace in our world, our land, our homes and our lives.

Monday 4 December 2017

Be prepared

Day four of Advent. The pockets of my Advent calendar have so far contained a potato peeler, a set of mini glitter pens and some chocolates. Two essential items for preparing for Christmas and one little treat.

At this time of year there is much to do as we make our way towards Christmas Day. Meals are prepared and shared with those nearby. Cards are written to update friends and family that we may not see so often. Sharing is very much a part of Christmas.

As we prepare for our own celebrations Crisis and other charities working with the homeless are gearing up to offer a litte cheer to those with nothing to share and nowhere to go. Food banks will support those in need locally and communities will give generously.

Sharing, caring and preparing go hand in hand at this time of year.