Well we have almost come to the end of our Advent Journey. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. For those who have joined me on my journey thank you for your companionship and support.
I started my Blog with the rather bold statement that I believed it to be God Inspired and as I bring the Blog to a close I will finish with the equally bold statement that I still believe it to be God Inspired.
I confess that the journey possibly did not turn out the way I might have expected. I suspect that somewhere in my thoughts I imagined some grand adventure, a new avenue opening up, lots of followers, lively comments and the possible conception of a successful writing career. (Stranger things have happened!!). Now I cannot be sure but I suspect none of the above has happened or is likely to happen in the near future, (put it this way I am still awaiting the phone call from the book publishers and no book agents have been beating a path to my door. Yet that does not mean the blog was not God inspired simply my perception and understanding of the reason for the blog.
At this time of year it is all too easy for ministers, vicars, priests and pastors (all Christians for that matter) to fall into the trap of, ‘flying by auto-pilot. Singing the Carols, reading the nativity and championing the cause for keeping Christ in Christmas without really giving it much thought. The Blog has caused me to take time and rediscover the joy, wonder and miracle of God Incarnate.
We often complain about people not having time for Christ, we liken our busy society to the streets, inns and houses of Bethlehem that, ‘had no room’ for the Christ Child. We forget that there are times when we in the church can be so busy being ‘religious’ that we have no room for Jesus. This year writing the blog has made me stop and take stock of the real meaning and purpose of God becoming man. I think these words of the Christian writer, Max Lucado sums it up;
“Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him- and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.” (emphasis mine).
So at the risk of repeating a question from a previous blog, it may well be that this one question is at the core of the purpose for my writing this Advent;
“Do you hear what I hear?”
Friday, 25 December 2009
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Christmas and children
“It’s for the children” How many times do we hear that when it comes to Christmas? When did it become about the children and why?
We put up Christmas decorations, cover our houses with lights, erect and decorate Christmas trees and exchange presents and when we are asked why we reply, “For the children, they love it” or variations on that theme. Yet I still ask the question. Why?
Think about it. The Nativity Story is not exactly child friendly. A young unmarried pregnant girl enduring a long arduous journey, forced to have her baby in a squalid stable because there was no place else for them to go and to cap it all off the young family then had to flee for their lives because the evil king had given an order to his soldiers to kill all boys under the age of three. As I said what part of that story strikes you as being child friendly? If we were to bring that story up to date and try and tell it Key Stage 1 children there would be a public outcry.
Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying we should not think about the children or that we should try and exclude them but the problem is when you start emphasising the children you start alienating the adult by concentrating on the children adults begin to think they have, ‘outgrown’ Christmas and the Christmas message. Christmas is for everyone, young and old alike.
The truth is the trimmings and trappings of Christmas that make it ‘child friendly’ have little or nothing to do with the Nativity; Santa Claus, reindeer, toys girls dressed as angels. At some point of reference changed from the Christ Child in a manger to something less important. In our attempt to get the message across we have lost sight of the message and focused on the means to getting the message across.
I am quite sure that you all know the legend of why we have tinsel ate Christmas. The Holy Family whilst fleeing from Herod hid in a cave and a spider spun a web over the mouth of the cave. In the morning the web was covered in morning dew that glistened in the early morning sun the soldiers who were searching saw the web, assumed that it had been there for a while and as it was not broken walked past without searching the cave. The problem is it would seem that tinsel is still ‘hiding’ the Christ Child for many people.
To slightly change the words of one of my favourite hymns,
“I’m coming back to the Heart of Christmas and it’s all bout YOU Jesus”
If we can get back to the heart of Christmas we will discover that it is for the children but NOT just for the children. Enjoy Christmas this year, after all…”Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of god like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15
We put up Christmas decorations, cover our houses with lights, erect and decorate Christmas trees and exchange presents and when we are asked why we reply, “For the children, they love it” or variations on that theme. Yet I still ask the question. Why?
Think about it. The Nativity Story is not exactly child friendly. A young unmarried pregnant girl enduring a long arduous journey, forced to have her baby in a squalid stable because there was no place else for them to go and to cap it all off the young family then had to flee for their lives because the evil king had given an order to his soldiers to kill all boys under the age of three. As I said what part of that story strikes you as being child friendly? If we were to bring that story up to date and try and tell it Key Stage 1 children there would be a public outcry.
Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying we should not think about the children or that we should try and exclude them but the problem is when you start emphasising the children you start alienating the adult by concentrating on the children adults begin to think they have, ‘outgrown’ Christmas and the Christmas message. Christmas is for everyone, young and old alike.
The truth is the trimmings and trappings of Christmas that make it ‘child friendly’ have little or nothing to do with the Nativity; Santa Claus, reindeer, toys girls dressed as angels. At some point of reference changed from the Christ Child in a manger to something less important. In our attempt to get the message across we have lost sight of the message and focused on the means to getting the message across.
I am quite sure that you all know the legend of why we have tinsel ate Christmas. The Holy Family whilst fleeing from Herod hid in a cave and a spider spun a web over the mouth of the cave. In the morning the web was covered in morning dew that glistened in the early morning sun the soldiers who were searching saw the web, assumed that it had been there for a while and as it was not broken walked past without searching the cave. The problem is it would seem that tinsel is still ‘hiding’ the Christ Child for many people.
To slightly change the words of one of my favourite hymns,
“I’m coming back to the Heart of Christmas and it’s all bout YOU Jesus”
If we can get back to the heart of Christmas we will discover that it is for the children but NOT just for the children. Enjoy Christmas this year, after all…”Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of god like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Members of St. Martins and Lewes Rd will have heard me tell them, more than once, the story of how for years I struggled with one line of the hymn, “There is a green hill far away.” I struggled with the line, “He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.”
For years I had understood this to mean that was all Christ could do and when all things considered it did not seem something worth singing about. What is the big deal about locking or unlocking a gate?
Of course I know now that what the line actually means is that only Christ can unlock the gate, no one else. A simple example of how the use of a small comma can make all the difference.
Only recently I came across another example of an oft misplaced comma which changes the meaning of a hymn, or in this case a carol. The carol, “God rest you merry gentlemen”.
It is a carol that we probably sing every Christmas and most of us probably sing, “ God rest you, merry gentlemen” believing or thinking (assuming we do think when we sing Carols!!!) that the carol is asking God to give merry gentlemen a rest. However it would appear that the comma should actually be placed after the word merry, making it read, “God rest you merry, gentlemen”
To the twenty first century reader it makes little sense but “Rest you merry” is in fact an old English phrase whose closest modern equivalent would be “rest assured”.
Placing the comma after merry then tells the listener, “Don’t worry, rest assured, the reason we celebrate Christmas is that Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.” The carol then goes on to tell us why it is good news, and it is the same reason given to Joseph by the angel in Matthew’s Gospel: the birth of Jesus is good news because “He will save his people from their sins (ch 1:21)
So this Christmas, “GOD REST YOU MERRY.” Do not worry, Rest Assured the message of Christmas is one of Salvation.
For years I had understood this to mean that was all Christ could do and when all things considered it did not seem something worth singing about. What is the big deal about locking or unlocking a gate?
Of course I know now that what the line actually means is that only Christ can unlock the gate, no one else. A simple example of how the use of a small comma can make all the difference.
Only recently I came across another example of an oft misplaced comma which changes the meaning of a hymn, or in this case a carol. The carol, “God rest you merry gentlemen”.
It is a carol that we probably sing every Christmas and most of us probably sing, “ God rest you, merry gentlemen” believing or thinking (assuming we do think when we sing Carols!!!) that the carol is asking God to give merry gentlemen a rest. However it would appear that the comma should actually be placed after the word merry, making it read, “God rest you merry, gentlemen”
To the twenty first century reader it makes little sense but “Rest you merry” is in fact an old English phrase whose closest modern equivalent would be “rest assured”.
Placing the comma after merry then tells the listener, “Don’t worry, rest assured, the reason we celebrate Christmas is that Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.” The carol then goes on to tell us why it is good news, and it is the same reason given to Joseph by the angel in Matthew’s Gospel: the birth of Jesus is good news because “He will save his people from their sins (ch 1:21)
So this Christmas, “GOD REST YOU MERRY.” Do not worry, Rest Assured the message of Christmas is one of Salvation.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Role Models
In the newspaper yesterday there was a story all about Santa Claus. Apparently he has fallen foul of the Health and Safety Brigade. It would seem that he's now regarded as a rather poor role model for our children and their parents. He encourages everything from obesity and drink driving to risk taking. It would seem that one of his misdemeanours is that he does not wear a seat belt when riding his sleigh? (Although I am not too sure how they know this!!!)
Anyway this got me thinking. Are we in danger of taking our role-models to far. Think about it what kind of role-model is Mary or Joseph?
Joseph was highly irresponsible undertaking a long arduous journey with his betrothed nine months pregnant. He compounded his mistake by not planning ahead and booking an hotel at a time when he could expect the town of Bethlehem to be very busy.
Mary does not escape unscathed. What right-minded mother would place a new born baby in a dirty un-hygienic animal feeding trough, add to this the seemingly cavalier attitude of visiting, allowing, it would seem, all and sundry to simply wander in and view their new born baby, they even accepted gifts from complete strangers!
Thankfully the Christmas Story is not about health and safety, wither we are talking about Santa Claus or the Nativity. It is about hope and love overcoming adversity. It is about God becoming man. It is about,
“Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine.”
A long journey, a dirty stable, a food trough for a bed, uninvited guests, regardless of what the Health and Safety manual might say, what better role model could there be?
Anyway this got me thinking. Are we in danger of taking our role-models to far. Think about it what kind of role-model is Mary or Joseph?
Joseph was highly irresponsible undertaking a long arduous journey with his betrothed nine months pregnant. He compounded his mistake by not planning ahead and booking an hotel at a time when he could expect the town of Bethlehem to be very busy.
Mary does not escape unscathed. What right-minded mother would place a new born baby in a dirty un-hygienic animal feeding trough, add to this the seemingly cavalier attitude of visiting, allowing, it would seem, all and sundry to simply wander in and view their new born baby, they even accepted gifts from complete strangers!
Thankfully the Christmas Story is not about health and safety, wither we are talking about Santa Claus or the Nativity. It is about hope and love overcoming adversity. It is about God becoming man. It is about,
“Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine.”
A long journey, a dirty stable, a food trough for a bed, uninvited guests, regardless of what the Health and Safety manual might say, what better role model could there be?
Monday, 21 December 2009
Impossible?
Let me ask you, what is your favourite part of the Nativity Story? Think for a moment…the angel appearing to Mary…Mary’s response…the journey to Bethlehem…No room in the Inn…the stable…the shepherds… the angels…the wise men?
Thought of your answer?
Now let me ask you, why? Why is it your favourite part?
Now that you have answered those two questions let me ask you a third and final question for the day, which might help you answer the first two, What for you is the core message, the wonder, the truth of the Christmas Message?
I suspect most of the answers will be Love, Joy, Peace, Hope.
The amazing thought of God becoming man, the beauty of the Angels’ message ‘Peace on Earth and Good will toward all men’ ; the innocence of the manger; the willingness of Mary to trust and believe in God. I am fairly confident that somewhere amongst all that I have suggested your answer. Perhaps not word for word but the right sentiment. I am also fairly confident that I can suggest another answer that few will have thought of, a part of the story that almost gets overlooked and yet which includes all of the above and so much more. The real heart, message, wonder, hope of the Christmas Story comes early on in the narrative and is a verse that contains six words, “For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Think about it: “born to a virgin” nothing is impossible; Angels appearing to shepherds, nothing is impossible; “Peace on Earth”, nothing is impossible; “Great Joy”, nothing is impossible.
Yes the message of Christmas is God becoming man, the message is Love, Joy, Peace on Earth but many people find it hard if not impossible to believe when we live in a world at war (as I write this news of another two British soldiers being killed in Afghanistan has come through) our newspapers are also full of reports on child neglect and abuse (the headlines in today’s paper deals with the sentencing of a Playgroup worker who sexually abused babies left in her charge) and we are constantly confronted with news about economic recession and banking greed. In fact December 2009 seems to have little or no, “Good News, Glad Tiding of Great Joy” and that is before I begin to look at the individual. For some this year has seen the loss of a loved one, seen them having to deal with the news of terminal illness or long-term health problems. It may well be unemployment, house repossessions, separation, and divorce.
For all those people and so many more, our task as Christians this Christmas and every Christmas is to share with them the message of Christmas and assure them that no matter how bleak the world appears, nothing is impossible with God.
Thought of your answer?
Now let me ask you, why? Why is it your favourite part?
Now that you have answered those two questions let me ask you a third and final question for the day, which might help you answer the first two, What for you is the core message, the wonder, the truth of the Christmas Message?
I suspect most of the answers will be Love, Joy, Peace, Hope.
The amazing thought of God becoming man, the beauty of the Angels’ message ‘Peace on Earth and Good will toward all men’ ; the innocence of the manger; the willingness of Mary to trust and believe in God. I am fairly confident that somewhere amongst all that I have suggested your answer. Perhaps not word for word but the right sentiment. I am also fairly confident that I can suggest another answer that few will have thought of, a part of the story that almost gets overlooked and yet which includes all of the above and so much more. The real heart, message, wonder, hope of the Christmas Story comes early on in the narrative and is a verse that contains six words, “For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Think about it: “born to a virgin” nothing is impossible; Angels appearing to shepherds, nothing is impossible; “Peace on Earth”, nothing is impossible; “Great Joy”, nothing is impossible.
Yes the message of Christmas is God becoming man, the message is Love, Joy, Peace on Earth but many people find it hard if not impossible to believe when we live in a world at war (as I write this news of another two British soldiers being killed in Afghanistan has come through) our newspapers are also full of reports on child neglect and abuse (the headlines in today’s paper deals with the sentencing of a Playgroup worker who sexually abused babies left in her charge) and we are constantly confronted with news about economic recession and banking greed. In fact December 2009 seems to have little or no, “Good News, Glad Tiding of Great Joy” and that is before I begin to look at the individual. For some this year has seen the loss of a loved one, seen them having to deal with the news of terminal illness or long-term health problems. It may well be unemployment, house repossessions, separation, and divorce.
For all those people and so many more, our task as Christians this Christmas and every Christmas is to share with them the message of Christmas and assure them that no matter how bleak the world appears, nothing is impossible with God.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Silent Night 7O'clock News
There are some moments in history that are etched on our brain. Do you remember where you were when John Lennon was assassinated, or when the Space Shuttle blew up on launch? I am certain we all remember what we were doing on 9/11 or when the news of Princess Diana’s death came through. Of course these are all national or international events however I am sure that there more personal unforgettable moments, that first kiss, the day you met your husband or wife, your children’s birth. There are some less obvious milestones for each of us, moments that are etched on our memories and possibly have had a profound effect on our life or thinking.
I can remember the first time I heard Simon & Garfunkel’s “Silent Night” I was a young impressionable teenager and our family were visiting friends. The adults were in one room talking and the ‘children/teenagers’ were in another room listening to records (remember them?) when Colin put on this track... It has remained one of my favourite album tracks.
For some who hear it, it could be seen as a questioning of the Christmas message and that may well have been the intention of Paul Simon when he produced the track. However it could also be a reminder to us all the need the world has for the message of hope, love and peace that the birth of the Christ child brings to the world.
I found the track on Youtube and I have (hopefully) included it on my blog for you to make up your own mind.
A word of warning you might find some of the images upsetting. Of course the news items are dated to the late sixties early seventies but sadly the message is as relevant to today’s world, swap Vietnam for Afghanistan
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I can remember the first time I heard Simon & Garfunkel’s “Silent Night” I was a young impressionable teenager and our family were visiting friends. The adults were in one room talking and the ‘children/teenagers’ were in another room listening to records (remember them?) when Colin put on this track... It has remained one of my favourite album tracks.
For some who hear it, it could be seen as a questioning of the Christmas message and that may well have been the intention of Paul Simon when he produced the track. However it could also be a reminder to us all the need the world has for the message of hope, love and peace that the birth of the Christ child brings to the world.
I found the track on Youtube and I have (hopefully) included it on my blog for you to make up your own mind.
A word of warning you might find some of the images upsetting. Of course the news items are dated to the late sixties early seventies but sadly the message is as relevant to today’s world, swap Vietnam for Afghanistan
object width="425" height="344">
"I'm dreaming of a Right Christmas"
Well are you enjoying the snow? I must admit Thursday was a bit scary. Lynn and I went to pick Megan up from work at eleven pm and as we waited we watched the snow getting heavier and heavier, by the time Megan came out it was positively blizzard-like. It was rather hairy driving along the Coast Rd unable to see any markings on the road and only just about able to see the car in front. When we arrived in Rottingdean the driving conditions were even worse and we were travelling at the giddy speed of 10mph. We crawled up Longridge Ave, the car slewing from side to side. I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and we parked the car at the top of Longridge and walked down Rodmell Ave..
Waking up on Friday we discovered the snow was even thicker but the fun could begin. A walk to the shops a few snowball fights on the way. Jamie off down the park, sledging with his friends, Megan and Michael taking some lovely photos of snow on the beach and Lynn enjoying an unexpected day off work.
footprints in the snow
Everybody is now looking forward to a White Christmas. However here is the thing, as I understand it, even if the snow remains for another week unless snow actually falls on the Weather Centre in London it will not be classified as a White Christmas. There might be snow in the streets snowmen in front gardens but it will not be a White Christmas. On the other hand there have been years when we have had an ‘official’ White Christmas because a snow flake has fallen on the roof of the Weather Centre. The streets are wet, the front gardens are green but it is a White Christmas, figure that one out. As in all things we are willing to manipulate facts to suit our preferences.
We are willing, more than willing, to celebrate Christmas when it means partying, presents and over eating but many seem to struggle keeping Christmas when it means attending Church, reading Scripture. We call it Christmas because it happens to be December 25th but truly it can only be a ‘Right’ Christmas if we include CHRIST as the centre of our celebrations.
Waking up on Friday we discovered the snow was even thicker but the fun could begin. A walk to the shops a few snowball fights on the way. Jamie off down the park, sledging with his friends, Megan and Michael taking some lovely photos of snow on the beach and Lynn enjoying an unexpected day off work.
footprints in the snowEverybody is now looking forward to a White Christmas. However here is the thing, as I understand it, even if the snow remains for another week unless snow actually falls on the Weather Centre in London it will not be classified as a White Christmas. There might be snow in the streets snowmen in front gardens but it will not be a White Christmas. On the other hand there have been years when we have had an ‘official’ White Christmas because a snow flake has fallen on the roof of the Weather Centre. The streets are wet, the front gardens are green but it is a White Christmas, figure that one out. As in all things we are willing to manipulate facts to suit our preferences.
We are willing, more than willing, to celebrate Christmas when it means partying, presents and over eating but many seem to struggle keeping Christmas when it means attending Church, reading Scripture. We call it Christmas because it happens to be December 25th but truly it can only be a ‘Right’ Christmas if we include CHRIST as the centre of our celebrations.
Friday, 18 December 2009
The Season for giving
( I think it was the Pony Express that had the motto, "the post must get through" Whatever the weather, hail, rain or snow the post must get through...I know that this is an electronic post and is not affected by the snow but I thought the idea might give some sympathy for my lateness in posting today...still having problems with my computer and now my office computer has voted and decided to come out in sympathy....)
How are you getting on with your Christmas Shopping? Have you managed to buy all your presents or are you still struggling over what to buy that special person. There is always one person on your list that is, “difficult to buy for”.
Don’t panic I am here to help. I am easy to buy for anything to do with eating or money. In fact it would seem that chocolate coins would be the ideal present!!!
Seriously though, what are you planning to give this Christmas? When you buy and give presents what are you thinking? What motivates you? We are constantly reminded by the adverts and by the shops, ‘Christmas is the season for giving.’ The cynic in me thinks that this is less to do with their desire to proclaim the message of Christmas and more to do with their desire to boost their sales figures.
I know I am in danger of beginning to sound like Scrooge but stay with me for a few minutes. I am not suggesting that we should not give presents. I love giving and yes receiving presents but perhaps that is the problem.
One of the many legends surrounding St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) is that hearing of the plight of a poor family in his village he climbed up onto their roof and dropped some money down their chimney which landed in the shoes or stockings (depending on what version you hear) that were near the fire drying. It was intended to be an anonymous gift with no thought of any reciprocal arrangement. How many of us buy presents because presents are bought for us? How often do use as a measure, “How much do we normally spend on them?” To badly misquote scripture, “We give because they first gave to us”
Now I guess there is much to be said for the arrangement and anything that offers good cheer and good will should be encouraged but perhaps over the years the thought and principle of present giving has been overtaken by the act.
I suggested at the start that I was here to help; so a man of my word below you will find some gift suggestion for this year… What to give?
Your Time: Look for ways to help those who cannot help themselves
Your Love: Give love freely to those who need it most and deserve it least
Your Life: Your life was a gift to you from God; make it a gift from God to others
Your Lord: Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Introduce him to a friend.
(from A Stocking full of Christmas compiled by Mark Stibbe)
How are you getting on with your Christmas Shopping? Have you managed to buy all your presents or are you still struggling over what to buy that special person. There is always one person on your list that is, “difficult to buy for”.
Don’t panic I am here to help. I am easy to buy for anything to do with eating or money. In fact it would seem that chocolate coins would be the ideal present!!!
Seriously though, what are you planning to give this Christmas? When you buy and give presents what are you thinking? What motivates you? We are constantly reminded by the adverts and by the shops, ‘Christmas is the season for giving.’ The cynic in me thinks that this is less to do with their desire to proclaim the message of Christmas and more to do with their desire to boost their sales figures.
I know I am in danger of beginning to sound like Scrooge but stay with me for a few minutes. I am not suggesting that we should not give presents. I love giving and yes receiving presents but perhaps that is the problem.
One of the many legends surrounding St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) is that hearing of the plight of a poor family in his village he climbed up onto their roof and dropped some money down their chimney which landed in the shoes or stockings (depending on what version you hear) that were near the fire drying. It was intended to be an anonymous gift with no thought of any reciprocal arrangement. How many of us buy presents because presents are bought for us? How often do use as a measure, “How much do we normally spend on them?” To badly misquote scripture, “We give because they first gave to us”
Now I guess there is much to be said for the arrangement and anything that offers good cheer and good will should be encouraged but perhaps over the years the thought and principle of present giving has been overtaken by the act.
I suggested at the start that I was here to help; so a man of my word below you will find some gift suggestion for this year… What to give?
Your Time: Look for ways to help those who cannot help themselves
Your Love: Give love freely to those who need it most and deserve it least
Your Life: Your life was a gift to you from God; make it a gift from God to others
Your Lord: Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Introduce him to a friend.
(from A Stocking full of Christmas compiled by Mark Stibbe)
Thursday, 17 December 2009
For Sale...
In a few weeks time there will be appearing in the small ads section of local newspapers throughout the country some of the saddest words in the English language. A simple straight forward phrase made up of three words that leave no one in any doubt. The phrase, “Unwanted Christmas Present”
Now it could be argued that once you are given a present it is yours to do with what you wish. If you wish to sell it then you are more than entitled to do so but the phrase, “unwanted present” seems so ungracious and ungrateful.
Over the years I am sure that I have had my fair share of present disasters, shirts that do not fit, colourful sweaters, books, videos or DVDs that I already owned or would not want to own. I am also fairly confident that I have been the cause of a few present disasters but I think I can confidently say that I have given some thought to every present I have bought and have appreciated the fact, however misguided or misplaced someone has thought enough about me to buy me a present, after all it is the ‘thought that counts’
Now it’s one thing to sell unwanted presents but if you do not even open the ‘unwanted’ present that takes us to a whole new different level. Who would be so mean, ungrateful or ungracious to do that? Yet every single Christmas that is what countless number of us do.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” Christmas is the time when we celebrate the gift of love, hope and peace in the form of a baby born in a manger. We all know people who decide that it is an ‘unwanted gift’. That of course is their right but it is our challenge as Christians to encourage them to at least ‘open their present’
Although I can remember some unwanted presents I can also recall presents that if I am honest I would not have bought for myself but turned out to be unexpected gems.
Now it could be argued that once you are given a present it is yours to do with what you wish. If you wish to sell it then you are more than entitled to do so but the phrase, “unwanted present” seems so ungracious and ungrateful.
Over the years I am sure that I have had my fair share of present disasters, shirts that do not fit, colourful sweaters, books, videos or DVDs that I already owned or would not want to own. I am also fairly confident that I have been the cause of a few present disasters but I think I can confidently say that I have given some thought to every present I have bought and have appreciated the fact, however misguided or misplaced someone has thought enough about me to buy me a present, after all it is the ‘thought that counts’
Now it’s one thing to sell unwanted presents but if you do not even open the ‘unwanted’ present that takes us to a whole new different level. Who would be so mean, ungrateful or ungracious to do that? Yet every single Christmas that is what countless number of us do.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” Christmas is the time when we celebrate the gift of love, hope and peace in the form of a baby born in a manger. We all know people who decide that it is an ‘unwanted gift’. That of course is their right but it is our challenge as Christians to encourage them to at least ‘open their present’
Although I can remember some unwanted presents I can also recall presents that if I am honest I would not have bought for myself but turned out to be unexpected gems.
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Joseph (not the one with the technicolor coat)
In an earlier blog I mentioned the Innkeeper and the thought that he has achieved the status of hero slightly undeservedly. I say slightly because although it is true that he perhaps could have done more at least he did something.
So the innkeeper enjoys some undeserved adulation; it could be argued that some of that adulation could be re-directed to another participant in the Nativity who, although having a central part, goes almost unnoticed. I am of course talking about Joseph.
The truth is, we do not know an awful lot about the man. Tradition tells us that he was older than Mary. There is little mention of him in the bible ad we do not read of him at all after the story of the boy Jesus in the temple.
It is widely believed and accepted that he died when Jesus was still relatively young. One branch of the Church follow the belief that Mary was the Mother of God and therefore it was important that she remained a virgin her whole life further distancing Joseph from both the Nativity and the life of Christ.
So why do I think he should be given more credit and adulation that he does? Think about it, Mary knew without doubt that what the angel told her was true. She knew she had not been with a man so if she was indeed pregnant there had to be some supernatural, heavenly, miraculous hand at work. Joseph on the other hand only knew that he was not the father. He had to show faith in God and trust in his betrothed, Mary. Even before he received a visit from the angel he showed great dignity and generosity in the way that he was planning to break his ‘engagement.
There is also something in the story to learn about playing a supporting role to those who are following God’s plan just because you are not the central character does not mean to say you do not have an important role to play. Think of Joseph the next time you feel pushed into the shadows. Where would the Nativity be without the faith showen by Joseph when he accepted the command from God to take Mary as his wife?
So the innkeeper enjoys some undeserved adulation; it could be argued that some of that adulation could be re-directed to another participant in the Nativity who, although having a central part, goes almost unnoticed. I am of course talking about Joseph.
The truth is, we do not know an awful lot about the man. Tradition tells us that he was older than Mary. There is little mention of him in the bible ad we do not read of him at all after the story of the boy Jesus in the temple.
It is widely believed and accepted that he died when Jesus was still relatively young. One branch of the Church follow the belief that Mary was the Mother of God and therefore it was important that she remained a virgin her whole life further distancing Joseph from both the Nativity and the life of Christ.
So why do I think he should be given more credit and adulation that he does? Think about it, Mary knew without doubt that what the angel told her was true. She knew she had not been with a man so if she was indeed pregnant there had to be some supernatural, heavenly, miraculous hand at work. Joseph on the other hand only knew that he was not the father. He had to show faith in God and trust in his betrothed, Mary. Even before he received a visit from the angel he showed great dignity and generosity in the way that he was planning to break his ‘engagement.
There is also something in the story to learn about playing a supporting role to those who are following God’s plan just because you are not the central character does not mean to say you do not have an important role to play. Think of Joseph the next time you feel pushed into the shadows. Where would the Nativity be without the faith showen by Joseph when he accepted the command from God to take Mary as his wife?
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Walt Disney and the Red dress
I happen to have one of those minds that stores useless pieces of information and trivia. It serves no purpose at all other than when it comes to games of Trivial Pursuit or the occasional quiz. Even then some of the information I have stored in my head I know will never be of any use.
One of my favourite Trivia stories concerns the film maker Walt Disney. The story goes, fairly early on in the history of the Disney Studios, Walt turned up on the set of one of their live action films and saw the female lead in the film walking onto set wearing a red dress, as soon as he saw her Walt is supposed to have said, “What is that girl doing in a red dress?” The director, producer and all the studio people took it to mean that Mr Disney did not like the colour red and that is why, if you watch the early Disney Films you will not see any of the lead actresses wearing a red dress!! How is that for trivial information?
The truth is what Walt Disney actually meant was, “What is That girl doing in a red dress”. It was not the colour he disliked but rather he did not think it suited the particular actress. It is amazing how just a slight change in emphasis can completely change the meaning of a statement.
We are, of course, all familiar with the nativity story. We possibly might even be able to claim that we can recite it off by heart but what if we change the emphasis? Every year we listen to the beautiful story of the nativity and the last few words of Luke 2:7 almost go unnoticed, “ She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, (WHY?)…because there was no room for them in the inn.” The story of the unmentioned innkeeper is the subject of another blog, but for now just read the last nine words and change the emphasis…. “…because there was no room for THEM in the inn”
Over the centuries it would seem little has changed. WE can make time and room for friends, for people that we want to mix with. At Christmas we make sure we have time and room for all the festivities , fun and food but it would seem on our High Streets, in our Town Halls, in our schools we cannot make room for THEM. We do not make room for Mary and the Christ Child.
It occurs to me, at the danger of sounding controversial, in 21st century Britain we do our best to make room for the multi-faith approach. We make the effort to be welcoming to all faiths and persuasions but at what price? “Happy Holidays”, “Winter Festival” “Winter Solstice” all around we see more and more alternative names for Christmas in order that we might not offend….. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…” Rev 3:20.
In the words of the Carol, “Do you hear what I hear?” Will you have room this Christmas for the Christ Child?
One of my favourite Trivia stories concerns the film maker Walt Disney. The story goes, fairly early on in the history of the Disney Studios, Walt turned up on the set of one of their live action films and saw the female lead in the film walking onto set wearing a red dress, as soon as he saw her Walt is supposed to have said, “What is that girl doing in a red dress?” The director, producer and all the studio people took it to mean that Mr Disney did not like the colour red and that is why, if you watch the early Disney Films you will not see any of the lead actresses wearing a red dress!! How is that for trivial information?
The truth is what Walt Disney actually meant was, “What is That girl doing in a red dress”. It was not the colour he disliked but rather he did not think it suited the particular actress. It is amazing how just a slight change in emphasis can completely change the meaning of a statement.
We are, of course, all familiar with the nativity story. We possibly might even be able to claim that we can recite it off by heart but what if we change the emphasis? Every year we listen to the beautiful story of the nativity and the last few words of Luke 2:7 almost go unnoticed, “ She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, (WHY?)…because there was no room for them in the inn.” The story of the unmentioned innkeeper is the subject of another blog, but for now just read the last nine words and change the emphasis…. “…because there was no room for THEM in the inn”
Over the centuries it would seem little has changed. WE can make time and room for friends, for people that we want to mix with. At Christmas we make sure we have time and room for all the festivities , fun and food but it would seem on our High Streets, in our Town Halls, in our schools we cannot make room for THEM. We do not make room for Mary and the Christ Child.
It occurs to me, at the danger of sounding controversial, in 21st century Britain we do our best to make room for the multi-faith approach. We make the effort to be welcoming to all faiths and persuasions but at what price? “Happy Holidays”, “Winter Festival” “Winter Solstice” all around we see more and more alternative names for Christmas in order that we might not offend….. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…” Rev 3:20.
In the words of the Carol, “Do you hear what I hear?” Will you have room this Christmas for the Christ Child?
Monday, 14 December 2009
A Christmas Creed
I am still struggling with my computer and so today I thought I would share with you A Christmas Creed that I came across recently, the author is that well known and prolific writer; Anonymous. I hope that normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
A Christmas Creed.
I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.
I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.
I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.
I believe in the one whom the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand, whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.
I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible.
I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love as its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.
I confess my everlating need of God: the need for forgiveness for our selfishness and greed; the need for new life for empty souls; the need for love for hearts gown cold.
I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.
A Christmas Creed.
I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.
I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.
I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.
I believe in the one whom the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand, whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.
I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible.
I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love as its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.
I confess my everlating need of God: the need for forgiveness for our selfishness and greed; the need for new life for empty souls; the need for love for hearts gown cold.
I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
A 7lb Baby
A few years ago the car company, Volvo, ran a magazine advertising campaign which showed one of their estate cars filled to the limits. It was full of toys, stuffed animals, large suitcases what appeared to be a pram or a buggy a folding traveling cot, boxes of nappies and anything and everything else you might associate with a baby and running underneath the picture was the Tag Line, "There is no such thing as a 7lb baby"
Parents who read this blog no doubt will recall, when their children were young, the amount of equipment and planning that went into even the shortest of visits. It was like a military campaign making sure that everything that was needed was packed. Of course the main purpose of the advert was to sell a car that had enough room even for the most demanding of customers. I am quite sure the copy writers were not thinking of the bigger picture.
The truth is, there is no such thing as a 7lb baby, or a 5lb, 8lb, or10lb baby for that matter. In fact following the line of an earlier blog, it would seem that there is an indisputable law when it comes to babies; 'the smaller the child the more equipment needed.'
The baby you proudly take home from the hospital will in a few years time be the child you will be taking to school and the prams and buggies in the boot will be replaced by bikes and sporting equipment then a few years further down the line that child will be the teenager who will be asking you to take them to university or college or pick them up from the nightclub or from their boyfriends or girlfriends and then a few years later they will be asking for the car and so the journey goes on.
As a new parent struggling to get a nights sleep you are constantly reminded that the problems your young children present do not go away they simply change and you will still suffer from sleepless nights but now it will be because you are waiting for them to come home.
All this rambling from the parent of two 'grown-up' children is a rather long winded way of stating the obvious that every birth of a baby changes your life for ever.
As children we struggle to break free from what we consider to be the shackles of our parents and as parents we battle with the mixed emotions of pride as we see our children grow up and despair as they try to assert their independance and though there are times when we wistfully recall the days of innocence when we could gaze into our children's cot as they slept the sleep of innocents I am sure none of us would actually want our children to remain babies forever. Why then do so many of us struggle to let the child born in the manger grow up?
Like every other baby born the Christ child can and should change our life for ever. Let us not fall into the trap of wistfully looking into the manger, making funny faces and strange babytalk noises but instead look into the eyes of a child who grew up to be our Saviour and as we look into the Saviours eyes at Christmas may we recall another time, a time to come...
"The Lord turned and looked upon Peter...and Peter remembered"
Parents who read this blog no doubt will recall, when their children were young, the amount of equipment and planning that went into even the shortest of visits. It was like a military campaign making sure that everything that was needed was packed. Of course the main purpose of the advert was to sell a car that had enough room even for the most demanding of customers. I am quite sure the copy writers were not thinking of the bigger picture.
The truth is, there is no such thing as a 7lb baby, or a 5lb, 8lb, or10lb baby for that matter. In fact following the line of an earlier blog, it would seem that there is an indisputable law when it comes to babies; 'the smaller the child the more equipment needed.'
The baby you proudly take home from the hospital will in a few years time be the child you will be taking to school and the prams and buggies in the boot will be replaced by bikes and sporting equipment then a few years further down the line that child will be the teenager who will be asking you to take them to university or college or pick them up from the nightclub or from their boyfriends or girlfriends and then a few years later they will be asking for the car and so the journey goes on.
As a new parent struggling to get a nights sleep you are constantly reminded that the problems your young children present do not go away they simply change and you will still suffer from sleepless nights but now it will be because you are waiting for them to come home.
All this rambling from the parent of two 'grown-up' children is a rather long winded way of stating the obvious that every birth of a baby changes your life for ever.
As children we struggle to break free from what we consider to be the shackles of our parents and as parents we battle with the mixed emotions of pride as we see our children grow up and despair as they try to assert their independance and though there are times when we wistfully recall the days of innocence when we could gaze into our children's cot as they slept the sleep of innocents I am sure none of us would actually want our children to remain babies forever. Why then do so many of us struggle to let the child born in the manger grow up?
Like every other baby born the Christ child can and should change our life for ever. Let us not fall into the trap of wistfully looking into the manger, making funny faces and strange babytalk noises but instead look into the eyes of a child who grew up to be our Saviour and as we look into the Saviours eyes at Christmas may we recall another time, a time to come...
"The Lord turned and looked upon Peter...and Peter remembered"
Saturday, 12 December 2009
The best laid schemes!
It was Robert Burns, the national poet of my homeland, that wrote, "The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a glay" (apologies for any spelling mistakes)If memory serves me correct it is from his poem, "To a mouse" which he wrote after turning over and destroying a mouses nest whilst plowing.
I mention this poem not just because I have been writing this blog for nearly two weeks and I have not mentioned Scotland once but also as an excuse/reason for any interuptions in service. I have been writing my blog on my small netbook and as I mentioned previously, to ease me into the thought of a daily blog and to shoehorn it into an ever increasing Christmas diary and workload, I have been trying to store up some blogs(I am about four days ahead)unfortunately it would seem my net book has caught the equivalent of swine flu and is refusing to work this means; I am restricted to my main computer, not a major problem until I discover and realise that my main computer runs Windows XP as does my netbook but sadly whereas my netbook has Office 97 (I think) my main has an older version which results in all my saved blogs being unreadable on my main computer. So for the present here I am at 5am on a Saturday morning trying to catch up, get ahead and stay ahead. As I said, "The best laid schemes..."
Thinking about it however, in the great scheme of things...
I mention this poem not just because I have been writing this blog for nearly two weeks and I have not mentioned Scotland once but also as an excuse/reason for any interuptions in service. I have been writing my blog on my small netbook and as I mentioned previously, to ease me into the thought of a daily blog and to shoehorn it into an ever increasing Christmas diary and workload, I have been trying to store up some blogs(I am about four days ahead)unfortunately it would seem my net book has caught the equivalent of swine flu and is refusing to work this means; I am restricted to my main computer, not a major problem until I discover and realise that my main computer runs Windows XP as does my netbook but sadly whereas my netbook has Office 97 (I think) my main has an older version which results in all my saved blogs being unreadable on my main computer. So for the present here I am at 5am on a Saturday morning trying to catch up, get ahead and stay ahead. As I said, "The best laid schemes..."
Thinking about it however, in the great scheme of things...
Mary and Joseph had their plans. A new life together, starting a family, Mary looking forward to her wedding and setting up home, Jospeh probably had dreams of his son/s following him into the family business.Perhaps as a couple they had sat talking about all their hopes and plans and dreams once they were married just as any couple would. They had not accounted for God however and what His plans for them were, yet both with little or no complaint gave up their plans and obeyed and followed God changing their lives forever...
and here I am bemoaning a computer glitch! But still
BAH HUMBUG!!!!
Friday, 11 December 2009
Christmas Card Law
There are certain laws in life that no matter how hard we try it seems impossible to escape. There is; ‘Murphy’s Law’, anything that can go wrong will go wrong, who of us have not suffered from this one? Then there is the queue law, you know the one, no matter which check-out you choose in the supermarket it will be the slowest. There is also the teaspoon law, in the days before dishwashers when we washed the dishes in the sink no matter how thorough we were, every time we drained the water there was one teaspoon left in the bottom. I am sure that there are countless other laws that you can think of, I will just mention one more, one that is especially relevant this time of year. It is the one that states; no matter how many Christmas Cards you buy, write or send you will receive one more. In other words there will always be someone you have overlooked.
Of course there is a possible solution, delay writing your cards to the very last moment ,in that way you are simply able to reply to the cards you receive. There is however an inherent danger in this solution someone else could be waiting for yours! It is not so much that we have forgotten someone it is more likely that we simply have overlooked them.
In the run-up to Christmas it is very easy to overlook something or someone and although we understand that, we do not want be the one that is overlooked.
We read in the bible that God is a jealous God. Just, without doubt, Patient, beyond question, Merciful most certainly and Loving beyond compare but nevertheless jealous. “Thou shalt have no other God...”
However understandable it is to overlook someone in the Christmas hustle and bustle surely there is something wrong if we overlook the reason for the season.
Time is getting on, if you have not written your cards yet why not do it today and accept the inevitable that you cannot avoid or defy the law of the forgotten Christmas Card just do your best to make sure that it is not the Christ child you overlook
Of course there is a possible solution, delay writing your cards to the very last moment ,in that way you are simply able to reply to the cards you receive. There is however an inherent danger in this solution someone else could be waiting for yours! It is not so much that we have forgotten someone it is more likely that we simply have overlooked them.
In the run-up to Christmas it is very easy to overlook something or someone and although we understand that, we do not want be the one that is overlooked.
We read in the bible that God is a jealous God. Just, without doubt, Patient, beyond question, Merciful most certainly and Loving beyond compare but nevertheless jealous. “Thou shalt have no other God...”
However understandable it is to overlook someone in the Christmas hustle and bustle surely there is something wrong if we overlook the reason for the season.
Time is getting on, if you have not written your cards yet why not do it today and accept the inevitable that you cannot avoid or defy the law of the forgotten Christmas Card just do your best to make sure that it is not the Christ child you overlook
Thursday, 10 December 2009
What is it?
In an earlier blog I admitted to the affliction of not being good at presents. Never knowing what to ask for.
As a child I can remember a neighbour visiting us on Christmas morning with presents for my sister and me. It was totally unexpected and I eagerly ripped open the carefully wrapped present. The problem was, to a small boy, it was not immediately apparent what the present was. However, well behaved and good mannered as I was, I remembered to say, “Thank you”. Unfortunately I also added the very simple and understandable statement, “What is it?” At that moment the joy, excitement and feel-good factor of present giving and present receiving changed.
Mrs Hamilton took it well but my simple question brought into question all the thought and planning she had put into buying my present. An old lady had made the effort, taken the time, to first of all think about buying presents for her neighbour’s children and then to go out and buy them. As I said Mrs Hamilton took it well and perhaps there is something we should learn about the manner of giving presents as well as receiving them(similar to the skill of being a good winner as well as good loser!!!)
Now when it comes to the very first Christmas present there is much I still do not understand and cannot fully appreciate about God’s gift to me and to us all that first Christmas, however I learnt from Mrs Hamilton’s Christmas present to truly appreciate all the thought and consideration God has shown to mankind through the gift of His Son and to simply enjoy the gift of God’s love.
As a child I can remember a neighbour visiting us on Christmas morning with presents for my sister and me. It was totally unexpected and I eagerly ripped open the carefully wrapped present. The problem was, to a small boy, it was not immediately apparent what the present was. However, well behaved and good mannered as I was, I remembered to say, “Thank you”. Unfortunately I also added the very simple and understandable statement, “What is it?” At that moment the joy, excitement and feel-good factor of present giving and present receiving changed.
Mrs Hamilton took it well but my simple question brought into question all the thought and planning she had put into buying my present. An old lady had made the effort, taken the time, to first of all think about buying presents for her neighbour’s children and then to go out and buy them. As I said Mrs Hamilton took it well and perhaps there is something we should learn about the manner of giving presents as well as receiving them(similar to the skill of being a good winner as well as good loser!!!)
Now when it comes to the very first Christmas present there is much I still do not understand and cannot fully appreciate about God’s gift to me and to us all that first Christmas, however I learnt from Mrs Hamilton’s Christmas present to truly appreciate all the thought and consideration God has shown to mankind through the gift of His Son and to simply enjoy the gift of God’s love.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Do you hear what I hear?
I have mentioned previously that the thought of an Advent Blog entered my thinking a few weeks ago. It did seem a good idea at the time but I confess the thought of writing a daily blog for a whole month filled me with not a little trepidation. To try and ease the fears I came up with the idea of building up a store of blogs, thinking that all I would have to do is cut and paste. The bloggers version of the TV ‘live’ Christmas special filmed in July!
The only problem with this plan is I need to be organised, a concept that does not come naturally to me, as no doubt some of you can testify to, and secondly I might become victim to current affairs.
A perfect example of this is the very recent furore caused by a bishop moaning about Christmas Carols. I happen to have already written my blog on Carols but you will have to take my word on that. The curious thing about the debate is the bishop is bemoaning the ‘tweeness’ of the Carols and the great army of the unchurched are on the side of ‘tradition’.
All the discussion has made me reassess my earlier effort. The truth is that for many people today the only knowledge they have of the Christmas Story comes from the popular Carols, they shape their thinking and understanding of the wonderful mystery of God becoming man. There is nothing wrong with the work of poets I can even accept and enjoy a little romanticism at times but we have to be careful that the poetry does not hijack the truth.
So what if our favourite Carols are not accurate representations of the Incarnation surely anything that gets people to think about the Christ-child cannot be all bad. It is our task as Christians to introduce them to the real beauty of Christmas. When you think about it the Angels simply sang to tell the shepherds where to find the child. They did not plan to go into the whole theological reason and purpose of his birth or explain the concept of Original Sin. They sang, the shepherds listened, they followed and they found for themselves the baby and the beauty.
As we sing the Carols this Christmas let us hope that our ‘Angelic’ voices will announce the birth of the Christ child that new seekers might listen, follow and find for themselves the baby and the beauty.
“Do you hear what I hear...”
The only problem with this plan is I need to be organised, a concept that does not come naturally to me, as no doubt some of you can testify to, and secondly I might become victim to current affairs.
A perfect example of this is the very recent furore caused by a bishop moaning about Christmas Carols. I happen to have already written my blog on Carols but you will have to take my word on that. The curious thing about the debate is the bishop is bemoaning the ‘tweeness’ of the Carols and the great army of the unchurched are on the side of ‘tradition’.
All the discussion has made me reassess my earlier effort. The truth is that for many people today the only knowledge they have of the Christmas Story comes from the popular Carols, they shape their thinking and understanding of the wonderful mystery of God becoming man. There is nothing wrong with the work of poets I can even accept and enjoy a little romanticism at times but we have to be careful that the poetry does not hijack the truth.
So what if our favourite Carols are not accurate representations of the Incarnation surely anything that gets people to think about the Christ-child cannot be all bad. It is our task as Christians to introduce them to the real beauty of Christmas. When you think about it the Angels simply sang to tell the shepherds where to find the child. They did not plan to go into the whole theological reason and purpose of his birth or explain the concept of Original Sin. They sang, the shepherds listened, they followed and they found for themselves the baby and the beauty.
As we sing the Carols this Christmas let us hope that our ‘Angelic’ voices will announce the birth of the Christ child that new seekers might listen, follow and find for themselves the baby and the beauty.
“Do you hear what I hear...”
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
'The Golden Reception Bell' Awards
Readers of a certain age will no doubt remember Esther Rantzen’s consumer programme “That’s Life”. For many it was essential Sunday Night viewing. One of their regular features was the ‘Jobs Worth’ peaked cap award. Each week they would highlight someone’s run-in with officialdom or a public servant who would not deviate from regulations regardless of how needless or ridiculous the regulations because to do so would be... “More than my jobs worth...” It was a popular feature because all of us have come up against someone that we find too officious and intransigent.
Today I would like to create a new award. An award that I believe is long overdue. An award that I am confident will catch the imagination of many. Winners of this new award will receive, figuratively if not literally, the Golden Reception Bell and it will be awarded to all those people who manage to get the greatest credit for the least amount of effort. The first winner of this award and the inspiration for the ‘Golden Reception Bell’ is the Innkeeper found in the Nativity Story, and before anyone writes in, I know that there is no mention of an innkeeper in the actual nativity story but bear with me.
Think about it. Each year in schools and churches throughout the land we make a hero of a man who found room in his stable for a young expectant couple because there was no room in his Inn. My question is, “Where did the innkeeper plan to sleep that night?” There may well have been no rooms left to rent out but he possibly could have given up his own room for a young couple in need. A truly worthy winner of the inaugural “Golden Reception Bell”
We are now in the season when this year’s nominations need to be chosen and announced. My first nominee for this year’s award is...”Graeme Allan” When I take time to consider all that God has done for me and in comparison the little he asks of me it does shame me to remember how reluctantly and how grudgingly I do it ...
“ What can I give him poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give Him – Give my heart.”
Today I would like to create a new award. An award that I believe is long overdue. An award that I am confident will catch the imagination of many. Winners of this new award will receive, figuratively if not literally, the Golden Reception Bell and it will be awarded to all those people who manage to get the greatest credit for the least amount of effort. The first winner of this award and the inspiration for the ‘Golden Reception Bell’ is the Innkeeper found in the Nativity Story, and before anyone writes in, I know that there is no mention of an innkeeper in the actual nativity story but bear with me.
Think about it. Each year in schools and churches throughout the land we make a hero of a man who found room in his stable for a young expectant couple because there was no room in his Inn. My question is, “Where did the innkeeper plan to sleep that night?” There may well have been no rooms left to rent out but he possibly could have given up his own room for a young couple in need. A truly worthy winner of the inaugural “Golden Reception Bell”
We are now in the season when this year’s nominations need to be chosen and announced. My first nominee for this year’s award is...”Graeme Allan” When I take time to consider all that God has done for me and in comparison the little he asks of me it does shame me to remember how reluctantly and how grudgingly I do it ...
“ What can I give him poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give Him – Give my heart.”
Monday, 7 December 2009
Angels from the realms of glory
Yesterday I had a moan about those people who learn the Christmas Story through Christmas Cards and suggested that we immerse ourselves in the ‘real Christmas Story’ well today I want to continue my ramblings on a theme.
It is interesting to note that in recent years, as a result of the PC brigade it would seem fewer and fewer schools have a ‘nativity play’. It has also been interesting to see in the letter pages of our newspapers the number of parents complaining that they are being denied the pleasure of seeing their little Linda, Lucy or Katie (or perhaps more likely, Brittney, Chardonay or Tallulah!!!) dressed as angels. Let’s face it who of us have not let out a sigh or wiped away a tear at seeing the host of tiny angels dressed in white standing around the stage singing ‘Away in a Manger’? Even if as teachers, ministers and parents we know that some of them are far from angels and the memory of the tantrums and tears at the rehearsals( and that was from the mums!) are still open wounds we cannot help but smile at the sight.
In an earlier Blog I took the opportunity of revealing a secret that I had long tried to hide. Such a cathartic experience as it was I would like to reveal another one of my long held secrets. Just once I would love to produce a nativity play where the angels are played by the men of the congregation, apart from the comic value of seeing six footers wearing white shifts. Just for a few minutes imagine the scene in your church, the looks on the faces of the congregation when the angels ‘danced in’ singing in their tenor, baritone and bass voices, ‘Away in the Manger’ that moment alone would be worth all the hassle of rehearsals and reason enough to try it.
However the real reason would be to perhaps be a bit more Biblically relevant. Take another look at the accounts in the bible of angels. Zecaraiah, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds not to mention all the accounts in the Old Testament or at the Tomb of Jesus. Very often the words closely associated with angels is fear and awe. With the exception of the little girl in the Haribo Sweet TV advert, fear and awe are words that I do not normally associate with little girls (actually thinking about it….!!).
Once again it would seem much of our understanding and thinking of the Christmas Story has been shaped by Christmas Cards…I guess I might not be getting many Christmas Cards this year….but please keep sending them where else will I get my sermon ideas from?
It is interesting to note that in recent years, as a result of the PC brigade it would seem fewer and fewer schools have a ‘nativity play’. It has also been interesting to see in the letter pages of our newspapers the number of parents complaining that they are being denied the pleasure of seeing their little Linda, Lucy or Katie (or perhaps more likely, Brittney, Chardonay or Tallulah!!!) dressed as angels. Let’s face it who of us have not let out a sigh or wiped away a tear at seeing the host of tiny angels dressed in white standing around the stage singing ‘Away in a Manger’? Even if as teachers, ministers and parents we know that some of them are far from angels and the memory of the tantrums and tears at the rehearsals( and that was from the mums!) are still open wounds we cannot help but smile at the sight.
In an earlier Blog I took the opportunity of revealing a secret that I had long tried to hide. Such a cathartic experience as it was I would like to reveal another one of my long held secrets. Just once I would love to produce a nativity play where the angels are played by the men of the congregation, apart from the comic value of seeing six footers wearing white shifts. Just for a few minutes imagine the scene in your church, the looks on the faces of the congregation when the angels ‘danced in’ singing in their tenor, baritone and bass voices, ‘Away in the Manger’ that moment alone would be worth all the hassle of rehearsals and reason enough to try it.
However the real reason would be to perhaps be a bit more Biblically relevant. Take another look at the accounts in the bible of angels. Zecaraiah, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds not to mention all the accounts in the Old Testament or at the Tomb of Jesus. Very often the words closely associated with angels is fear and awe. With the exception of the little girl in the Haribo Sweet TV advert, fear and awe are words that I do not normally associate with little girls (actually thinking about it….!!).
Once again it would seem much of our understanding and thinking of the Christmas Story has been shaped by Christmas Cards…I guess I might not be getting many Christmas Cards this year….but please keep sending them where else will I get my sermon ideas from?
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Cards and Carols
How well do you know the Christmas Story? I imagine most who are reading this, okay I know that will be single figures, will immediately say, “Pretty Well!” or “Very Well!” some might even say, “Off by heart” and the probability is you do know the story well and my initial question could be perceived as being one of those “SILLY QUESTIONS”.
So that being the case, here is the next question, “How did you learn the story?”
I ask this question because in this era of Political Correctness and the onslaught of trying to make Christmas less ‘religious’ or less ‘Christian’, it occurred to me that many of the objectors and or their objections are based not on the Bible Story but on the trappings we have hung around the story. Let me try and explain.
It is highly possible that many of today’s generation have learnt the Christmas Story from Christmas cards and Christmas Carols. The cynics try and dismiss the Christian Faith by arguing away Christmas cards. It is like analysing a football match by reading the programme, critiquing a play by reading the newspaper review, enjoying the English countryside by looking at Constable’s paintings or claiming you are an expert in Scottish History because you have seen the film ‘Braveheart’ countless number of times.
Dissenters laugh off Christmas simply because of the date. Yes December 25th is an invention, we do not know the exact date when Christ was born and what is more we do not claim to know the exact date so why not pick a date and make that the day of celebration? If it is good enough for the Royal Family (the Queen’s birthday is actually April but every year the Trooping of the Colour which marks the Queen’s official birthday takes place in June) then why not for Jesus?
Cynics laugh and question the idea of three kings visiting the baby. Well take another look. Nowhere in the bible is it suggested they were kings the bible described them as wise men, magi. Neither does the bible suggest a number, only three gifts are mentioned or rather three categories of gifts, ‘gold, frankincense and myrrh”
Was it in the bleak mid-winter, it might have been or it might not have been. If it was at winter it can get very cold and bleak in the hills surrounding Bethlehem, although I admit less likely that snow would fall, snow on snow, but once again the argument is with the Carol writer and not the Bible.
When all said and done most people’s objections are to the trappings of Christmas invented mainly by the Victorians. Next time you are challenged read again Luke1 & 2 and Matthew 2 and immerse yourself in the true Christmas Story.
So that being the case, here is the next question, “How did you learn the story?”
I ask this question because in this era of Political Correctness and the onslaught of trying to make Christmas less ‘religious’ or less ‘Christian’, it occurred to me that many of the objectors and or their objections are based not on the Bible Story but on the trappings we have hung around the story. Let me try and explain.
It is highly possible that many of today’s generation have learnt the Christmas Story from Christmas cards and Christmas Carols. The cynics try and dismiss the Christian Faith by arguing away Christmas cards. It is like analysing a football match by reading the programme, critiquing a play by reading the newspaper review, enjoying the English countryside by looking at Constable’s paintings or claiming you are an expert in Scottish History because you have seen the film ‘Braveheart’ countless number of times.
Dissenters laugh off Christmas simply because of the date. Yes December 25th is an invention, we do not know the exact date when Christ was born and what is more we do not claim to know the exact date so why not pick a date and make that the day of celebration? If it is good enough for the Royal Family (the Queen’s birthday is actually April but every year the Trooping of the Colour which marks the Queen’s official birthday takes place in June) then why not for Jesus?
Cynics laugh and question the idea of three kings visiting the baby. Well take another look. Nowhere in the bible is it suggested they were kings the bible described them as wise men, magi. Neither does the bible suggest a number, only three gifts are mentioned or rather three categories of gifts, ‘gold, frankincense and myrrh”
Was it in the bleak mid-winter, it might have been or it might not have been. If it was at winter it can get very cold and bleak in the hills surrounding Bethlehem, although I admit less likely that snow would fall, snow on snow, but once again the argument is with the Carol writer and not the Bible.
When all said and done most people’s objections are to the trappings of Christmas invented mainly by the Victorians. Next time you are challenged read again Luke1 & 2 and Matthew 2 and immerse yourself in the true Christmas Story.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
All I want for Christmas
When it comes to Christmas I have an affliction that means I am at an immediate disadvantage from most people. It is a problem that I fear is untreatable and causes me sleepless nights, night tremors, hot flushes. It is something that I am learning to live with although it is not easy and can be seen as rather anti-social.
Those of us who suffer from this find it embarrassing to talk about it and try to keep it quiet and many of us are still able to live a fairly normal life and to varying degrees of success manage to keep the problem from our loved ones and those who are close to us. It is something that people find hard to talk about which means we suffer in silence, putting on brave faces that belie the turmoil that is going on inside.
After many years of suffering in silence for the first time this year I feel strong enough and confident enough to share this problem and hope that I will not be harshly judged or looked at with pity. Someone needs to confront the issue and make a stand for the countless number of people who share this affliction with me.
Well, I have delayed it for long enough,….I suffer from… presentandgiftitos. This means I am hopeless, nay pathetic at gifts. When someone asks me what I would like for Christmas my mind goes blank, my mouth dries up and I am unable to speak. I know what I would like to say, my mind is working over-time but I just can’t share what is in my head with the person that asks. Fortunately I am not an extreme case as I do enjoy buying gifts for other people even if I struggle thinking of what to buy.
I look in all the shops and trawl through all the gift catalogues and mentally mark all the things I think I might like but at the decisive moment when the question is asked I just cannot bring myself to say anything. You can imagine the frustration that this causes for loved ones.
I think one of the main causes of this affliction is the sufferers thought, “Am I worth that much ?”
A side effect of this affliction which truly does irritate Lynn, is that around about this time of year just as she is struggling to think of what to buy me I go out and buy something that could have been my present ( and before you ask yes I have done it again this year).
The wonderful and awesome thing about Christmas is that each of us can marvel at the fact that we have received a present and gift beyond compare and more precious and valuable that we could ever ask for or ever hope to deserve. The gift of the child in the manger is God’s gift to all mankind. A gift of love, hope and peace. The problem is that it would seem that most of us when it comes to the real meaning and purpose of Christmas suffer from ‘presentandgiftitis’ and cannot believe that it is for us and as a result it remains unclaimed and I venture to suggest that is the main reason why, in contrast to the joyous news of the Angels, there is not at present, “Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward all men”.
Let us make an effort this year in defeating this unseen affliction and enjoy the gift that is given and marvel in the fact that we can receive a gift from God far beyond what we deserve….
Those of us who suffer from this find it embarrassing to talk about it and try to keep it quiet and many of us are still able to live a fairly normal life and to varying degrees of success manage to keep the problem from our loved ones and those who are close to us. It is something that people find hard to talk about which means we suffer in silence, putting on brave faces that belie the turmoil that is going on inside.
After many years of suffering in silence for the first time this year I feel strong enough and confident enough to share this problem and hope that I will not be harshly judged or looked at with pity. Someone needs to confront the issue and make a stand for the countless number of people who share this affliction with me.
Well, I have delayed it for long enough,….I suffer from… presentandgiftitos. This means I am hopeless, nay pathetic at gifts. When someone asks me what I would like for Christmas my mind goes blank, my mouth dries up and I am unable to speak. I know what I would like to say, my mind is working over-time but I just can’t share what is in my head with the person that asks. Fortunately I am not an extreme case as I do enjoy buying gifts for other people even if I struggle thinking of what to buy.
I look in all the shops and trawl through all the gift catalogues and mentally mark all the things I think I might like but at the decisive moment when the question is asked I just cannot bring myself to say anything. You can imagine the frustration that this causes for loved ones.
I think one of the main causes of this affliction is the sufferers thought, “Am I worth that much ?”
A side effect of this affliction which truly does irritate Lynn, is that around about this time of year just as she is struggling to think of what to buy me I go out and buy something that could have been my present ( and before you ask yes I have done it again this year).
The wonderful and awesome thing about Christmas is that each of us can marvel at the fact that we have received a present and gift beyond compare and more precious and valuable that we could ever ask for or ever hope to deserve. The gift of the child in the manger is God’s gift to all mankind. A gift of love, hope and peace. The problem is that it would seem that most of us when it comes to the real meaning and purpose of Christmas suffer from ‘presentandgiftitis’ and cannot believe that it is for us and as a result it remains unclaimed and I venture to suggest that is the main reason why, in contrast to the joyous news of the Angels, there is not at present, “Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward all men”.
Let us make an effort this year in defeating this unseen affliction and enjoy the gift that is given and marvel in the fact that we can receive a gift from God far beyond what we deserve….
Friday, 4 December 2009
Happy Birthday to Me!
I think I am getting to the age when I am not supposed to look forward to birthdays. The reality is I like the axiom, “Growing old is compulsory, Growing- up is optional”. I like the idea that for one day in the year at least I can be the centre of attention. I like receiving presents, I like being spoiled, even if it is just for a few hours.
The problem I have is my birthday is in June and falls very close to Fathers Day and occasionally falls on Fathers Day.
When Birthday and Fathers Day collide my family do their best. I do receive two lots of presents although I am reminded how confusing it is and was to work out what they are giving me for my birthday and what is for Fathers Day!! I still get to choose either what we have for dinner or where we go for dinner. I still enjoy the attention of my family.
A few years ago to celebrate my parents fiftieth wedding anniversary the whole family, my parents, my sister, her husband and her two children and Lynn, Megan, Jamie and I enjoyed a weekend together in a Scottish Hotel, coincidently it also happened to be the weekend that was my birthday and Fathers Day. Now I am not proud to confess this but it was a birthday I did not enjoy, despite the fact that I received an extra present from my sister, long ago it was decided that birthday presents were only for the nieces and nephews (a decision if memory serves me well I objected to!!). The problem was not only did I have to share the day with my own Father and watch him open his presents I had to endure watching my brother-in-law receiving presents from my niece and nephew. This was supposed to be my day, my birthday!!!
Recently I bought a badge which reads, “Jesus the Reason for the Season”. Inevitably when making that claim someone will point out that Dec 25th probably was not the actual day Jesus was born. They will also highlight the fact that the festivities of Christmas are closely linked to the Roman celebration of Saturnalia. They also delight in suggesting much of the trappings have little to do with ‘Christ’ or ‘Christianity’. All of this might well be true but it does not mean that we should not celebrate his birthday.
There will be other years when my birthday falls on Fathers Day. There are also countless numbers of people who actually share my birthday. Despite all that June 17th will always be my birthday. The fact that birthday cake, candles, balloons, presents and the song ‘Happy Birthday’ were not specifically invented for my birthday does not mean I can not or should not enjoy them on my birthday. (Okay may be not the candles and the song Happy Birthday). For me and mine “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON”
The problem I have is my birthday is in June and falls very close to Fathers Day and occasionally falls on Fathers Day.
When Birthday and Fathers Day collide my family do their best. I do receive two lots of presents although I am reminded how confusing it is and was to work out what they are giving me for my birthday and what is for Fathers Day!! I still get to choose either what we have for dinner or where we go for dinner. I still enjoy the attention of my family.
A few years ago to celebrate my parents fiftieth wedding anniversary the whole family, my parents, my sister, her husband and her two children and Lynn, Megan, Jamie and I enjoyed a weekend together in a Scottish Hotel, coincidently it also happened to be the weekend that was my birthday and Fathers Day. Now I am not proud to confess this but it was a birthday I did not enjoy, despite the fact that I received an extra present from my sister, long ago it was decided that birthday presents were only for the nieces and nephews (a decision if memory serves me well I objected to!!). The problem was not only did I have to share the day with my own Father and watch him open his presents I had to endure watching my brother-in-law receiving presents from my niece and nephew. This was supposed to be my day, my birthday!!!
Recently I bought a badge which reads, “Jesus the Reason for the Season”. Inevitably when making that claim someone will point out that Dec 25th probably was not the actual day Jesus was born. They will also highlight the fact that the festivities of Christmas are closely linked to the Roman celebration of Saturnalia. They also delight in suggesting much of the trappings have little to do with ‘Christ’ or ‘Christianity’. All of this might well be true but it does not mean that we should not celebrate his birthday.
There will be other years when my birthday falls on Fathers Day. There are also countless numbers of people who actually share my birthday. Despite all that June 17th will always be my birthday. The fact that birthday cake, candles, balloons, presents and the song ‘Happy Birthday’ were not specifically invented for my birthday does not mean I can not or should not enjoy them on my birthday. (Okay may be not the candles and the song Happy Birthday). For me and mine “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON”
Thursday, 3 December 2009
X marks the spot
Like most boys as a child I loved adventure stories. I loved hearing about pirates and soldiers and undiscovered jungles. I imagine I am not the only one who wondered or dreamed about what it would be like to discover a ‘ lost world’ full of exotic animals and fierce marauding tribes.
However if pushed to choose I guess my favourite ‘adventure’ was the idea of finding a long lost treasure map and following its direction to its secret treasure trove. Most men of my age were brought up with that wonderful phrase, “X marks the spot”.
In recent years the romance and fun of pirates and treasure has been rediscovered thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise and the wonderful character of Capt Jack Sparrow.
Ironically much as I loved the thought of adventure and dreamed of finding my own treasure map, where X marked the spot I happen to be one of those people who ‘hate’ the abbreviation Xmas. Yesterday I suggested the need to draw a line well it seems more and more people have chosen to draw the line even before the word starts and Xmas completely cuts out Christ from the celebrations.
I say ironically because when you take time to think about things the X in Xmas truly does mark the spot where the real treasure is. No gaudy baubles, long lost rubies or gold doubloons. Instead the treasure of the a child born in a manger, a child who was the King of Kings.
Perhaps after all I have found my treasure map. I have uncovered my treasure that truly is beyond compare;
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” Matt 6:19,20
Let us hope this Christmas someone else will discover that X truly doers mark the spot where the real treasure is.
However if pushed to choose I guess my favourite ‘adventure’ was the idea of finding a long lost treasure map and following its direction to its secret treasure trove. Most men of my age were brought up with that wonderful phrase, “X marks the spot”.
In recent years the romance and fun of pirates and treasure has been rediscovered thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise and the wonderful character of Capt Jack Sparrow.
Ironically much as I loved the thought of adventure and dreamed of finding my own treasure map, where X marked the spot I happen to be one of those people who ‘hate’ the abbreviation Xmas. Yesterday I suggested the need to draw a line well it seems more and more people have chosen to draw the line even before the word starts and Xmas completely cuts out Christ from the celebrations.
I say ironically because when you take time to think about things the X in Xmas truly does mark the spot where the real treasure is. No gaudy baubles, long lost rubies or gold doubloons. Instead the treasure of the a child born in a manger, a child who was the King of Kings.
Perhaps after all I have found my treasure map. I have uncovered my treasure that truly is beyond compare;
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” Matt 6:19,20
Let us hope this Christmas someone else will discover that X truly doers mark the spot where the real treasure is.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Drawing the Line !
At some point over the Christmas/Advent period you will have to make at least one major decision; well what will seem like a major decision to you if no one else at least. It might be about how many Christmas cards to write and send, how many party invitations to accept or send out. (my diary is open by the way), how much to spend on presents. Just a few ideas of at least some of the decisions you might face over the next few weeks. Whatever the decision or choice you face the probability is that you might justify at least one of your decisions by saying to yourself, “Well I have to draw the line somewhere!” All of us at some point over the Christmas period will have to draw the line somewhere. Draw the line at how much we eat, how much we drink, how much we spend. So the real question is, not what to do, but where to draw the line and if we get the decision right then everything else falls into place.
Many years ago one of my friends pinned to the church notice board a simple question, which if memory serves me well, he found in a Christian Poetry book by the poet Gorden Bailey. I will finish my blog today with the same question and leave you to consider your response….
CHRISTMAS/SACRED
CHRIST/MASSACRED
Where do you draw the line?
Many years ago one of my friends pinned to the church notice board a simple question, which if memory serves me well, he found in a Christian Poetry book by the poet Gorden Bailey. I will finish my blog today with the same question and leave you to consider your response….
CHRISTMAS/SACRED
CHRIST/MASSACRED
Where do you draw the line?
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