Jerusalem
Dear Friends,
Come and join our celebration, it's a very special day.
What does Christmas mean to you? The lights along the shopping streets, a Christmas tree in your window, presents and cards or a service in church? We all have stories to tell about Christmas time. Some will be happy memories of Christmases past— of tiny presents in stockings, of family sitting around a groaning table, of carol singing late at night. Others may be sadder— when times were hard and presents few, when it was a struggle to put food on the table let alone special festive food, when the family fell out and everything was too tense for comfort.
For me Christmas means the midnight service, first when my parents used to go and leave me in bed (with my Grandparents caring for me), then the expectation of being able to go myself and stay up until the next morning! Now, as a minister, it is still one of the most special services in the year, when we greet the new-born baby in the darkness of the night with a candle lit to represent his coming. To sing carols at that moment is better than any other day or time, because it truly celebrates His birthday.
How different to that first Christmas when, as travellers, Mary & Joseph arrived in a 'city' probably smaller than most villages, nothing like Preston, but heaving with visitors. The streets were thronged with people trying to find a room for the night. Imagine a couple from Scotland suddenly turning up on your doorstep and asking for shelter, he weary with travel, she heavy with child. Would we find a space for them in our lives, or are we so caught up in our celebrations that we forget the true meaning of Christmas?
This season I hope you do find a moment in the midst of all your busyness to savour the true Spirit of Christmas. Make time to go to a service or two, and relish the expectation of God born as one of us. Make space for Jesus in your life, and find peace from your worries. Share with your family what it means to be together, enjoy their love and give them yours. Remember the real story of Christmas that began the whole and holy story about Jesus our Friend and Saviour.
Come and share our jubilation, there's a new King born today.
I pray you all will have a Happy Christmas and joy-filled New Year.
God bless you and all whom you love,
© Fulwood Methodist Church
16:14:42 Wednesday, 26 October 2005
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