As we continue our six weeks journey, we continue to look beyond the tinsel and turkey and remember that Christmas starts with Christ.
Sunday 14 December
This week we are thinking about appearances, how we think we look to the world. Do you worry about how you look on the outside? It is lovely to dress up in smart clothes for Christmas parties, but is the love in our hearts that is of far more importance! So dress yourself in glitter and glitz by all means, but remember that God knows all about you, from the inside out.
Monday 15 December
‘This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Luke 2:12
When the world was waiting for Jesus, the Messiah, they pictured a King who would overthrow the government. A baby in a stable who grew up to be a carpenter wasn’t quite what they were expecting!
This photo is from our Christmas party with our Toddle Time group last year. The children, and the grown-ups, enjoyed making the manger with sticks and straw and then laying Baby Jesus down to sleep.
Our prayer for you this week is to remember that Jesus came as a baby in a manger, to share our human life. He experienced hunger, ridicule, sorrow and grief. He has been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Whatever you are facing, remember that Jesus shares your joy and your pain.
Tuesday 16 December
Here is a lovely poem, re-telling the Christmas story:
The Very First Christmas Day
His parents had no money, although He was a King—
An angel came to Joseph one night as he dreamed.
"Don't be afraid to marry her, this child is God's own Son,"
And with these words from God's messenger, their journey had begun.
They travelled to the city, their taxes to be paid—
But when Christ was born they found no place for the baby to be laid.
So they wrapped Him up and used a lowly manager for His bed,
With nothing else but straw to place beneath the Christ-child's head.
The shepherds came to worship Him, the wise men travelled too—
Led by a star up in the sky, they found the baby new.
They gave him gifts so wondrous, their incense, myrrh, and gold,
Thus completes the greatest story of a birth 'twas ever told.
He was just a tiny baby, born in a stable far away—
They had no reservations, and nowhere else to stay.
But His birth was so majestic, in a simple sort of way,
A baby born in Bethlehem on a very special day.
It was the Savior born in Bethlehem, on the very first Christmas Day.
Brenda Thompson Davis
For a reminder of the amazing story of Christmas, enjoy watching the video A Social Network Christmas, the Christmas story re-told using social media. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of external sites.
Wednesday 17 December
Breakfast in bed, a bunch of flowers, doing the washing-up without being asked...what is one of your favourite ways of showing your love for someone?
Thursday 18 December
Friday 19 December
‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made’
Psalm 139:13-14
Never forget – you are AMAZING!
Saturday 20 December
Join us for our Christmas Carol service tomorrow at 11.15am, where our children will give us their Christmas performance. In the past, we have had a stable make-over reality show and a Doctor Who Christmas, so anything could happen!
We will also be signing this service for our friends in the deaf community.
