We're used to images of the Jolly fat guy who is kind to everyone. And even though he supposedly makes a list of "who's naughty and nice" - he never really leaves the naughty kids off the list - it's just a feeble attempt by parents to introduce justification by works into the Christmas story.
But the real St Nic was quite different, although stories about his life are more in the realm of folklore and legend than accredited historic fact. As the pastor of a church in Myra (in the SE of modern Turkey), he was a tough Gospel-preaching evangelist. His elevation to universal gift giver stems from a story about him throwing gold coins through a window to provide a dowry for three young Christian women whose family had fallen on hard times. Some versions have him dropping them down the chimney and/or the coins ending up in their stockings hanging to dry by the fire. But note the difference. His are not gifts to give delight to the already wealthy. They are gifts of compassion to rescue poor young women from a life of slavery or prostitution for a Christian future.... continue reading
Itâs such a privilege to praise God through song. And one of the things I love best about Christmas services is being able to belt out some great carols. While Iâm happy to sing (or, more usually, play) a whole range of songs, if Iâm honest I do have a few favourites. Those carols that I long to sing and sing again at this time of year. And it seems Iâm not alone.
Here are some of our blog teamâs favourite Christmas songs:
Alison: âO come, O come, Emmanuelâ - It gives the Old Testament background to the coming of Christ and shows Godâs faithfulness to His promises â and the tune is great too!... continue reading
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.... continue reading
Struggling to think of a good present? Here are some last minute gift ideas that are perfect...
For her: Compared to her 30% off
For him: The Hard Corps 30% off
For both: Every Good Endeavour 30% off
For children - The Beginner's Bible 30% off
For teens - The Graphic Bible 30% off
For everyone - The Cross of Christ 30% off
Simply use the code lastminute at the checkout.
Offer expires 20/12/2012.
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Weeks late, I finally got around to watching the latest Bond blockbuster Skyfall. An interesting experience, because I was only able to book to see it with subtitles in English. Having watched loads of foreign-language films with English subtitles, I thought it would be no problem.
How wrong could I be? It absolutely ruined it!
Seeing the words flash up, slightly before they were spoken made it look like they were just actors reading lines - not like Bond, Q, M and Moneypenny at all - just actors in a play. The subtle timing of jokes was spoiled. The scenes where there was supposed to be smouldering romance were emptied of passion as it became obvious that they were just pretending. The delicate illusion of the theatre had been torn away by the simple addition of some words along the bottom.... continue reading
Stuff happens. Jobs are lost. Relationships are broken. Ends donât meet. Illnesses take unexpected downturns. We make mistakes. The pressures of Christmas crash in. Life feels unpredictable. And most of us, to a greater or lesser extent, respond by worrying.
Some days the nagging insecurities about the future play irritatingly in the backs of our minds. At other times weâre overwhelmed by a torrent of panic that leaves us utterly inert. We want to know itâs all going to work out ok in the future. And we feel we canât relax until thereâs some tangible evidence it really is going to be fine.
But when we turn to the Scriptures weâre confronted with the inescapable fact that the Bible says, âdonât worryâ:... continue reading
Maybe it's a personality thing, but I never thought that following the herd was a good thing.
Safe, perhaps. If you didn't want to be embarrassed by standing out from the crowd perhaps.
So seeing this advertising line encouraging me to "be smart" by "following the herd" on the back of a van got me thinking about the whole cultural tension we feel between fitting in and being individuals. Our culture seems to encourage individuality. We are constantly being told to "be ourselves" and to "think different".... continue reading
âWe wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new yearâ
Speaking to a couple of friends over the last few days I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised that the number of carol services I am involved in can be counted on one hand; some of my friends need an abacus and some serious energy. Musicians: you are about to face the busiest time of the year â letâs not pray for merriment, but contentment and happiness as we serve our Saviour.
âBorn to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birthâ
When you sit down for Christmas dinner, utterly exhausted from carols and endless practices, will you resent the past weeks of energy sapping service or recall with joy that the gospel has been proclaimed? The gospel will be heralded in song and through the preaching of the Word to so many who for most of the year want nothing to do with the Christ of Christmas who offers a âsecond birthâ #joy.... continue reading
