Christmas

Christmas is really kicking off around the Poole Bay Methodist Circuit.

Our Churches have some wonderful services, events and displays on offer as we celebrate the season together.

For more information on events in Churches around our Circuit:

Christmas Calendar

A Christmas message from Rev Karen

We have now entered into the Christmas advert season, and I've been fascinated by the themes or styles of the adverts. Many are 'fairytale-esque' in their approach – magical creatures bringing together a wonderful spread and cheer or rescuing the Christmas spirit. There is even a 'who dunnit' that has left us with a cliff hanger.

Others have acknowledged the fact that Christmas is a difficult time for some people.

They are all aiming to be wholesome and inclusive and to reassure us that Christmas is more than just buying food and presents – although it would seem it can help to pave the way!

I admit, I enjoy these adverts. They are mostly well-crafted stories. I like the glitz and playfulness of them. I even appreciate how they are trying to tell a more rounded story around the Christmas season, cutting through the idea that its all about material things – that you can buy the Christmas 'dream'.

They are part of the established run up to Christmas in our modern day, along with Carol singing, school nativities, Christingles, the Coca-Cola lorry, the constant weather reports anticipating a white Christmas, and the fetching out of the emergency chairs for the big family Christmas dinner.

Yet in our churches this preparation for Christmas has a name, Advent. Here, we are encouraged to set aside time and space to listen to God. To acknowledge our need for God and to step out of the expectations of world just for a moment. To focus on the incredible gift God has sent for us in love, God's son Jesus, a baby lying in a manger.

Because Christmas is more than presents and food and festivities – it is about God's presence coming to earth. Not with great riches and power but born to an ordinary family, a vulnerable baby in a manger. Thus interrupting the expectations and challenges of the day and bringing hope and joy beyond that we can create for ourselves.

The thing is this wonderful event did have a range of adverts anticipating it. We find them in the words of the prophets. For instance,

The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now the light is shining on them...A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, 'Wonderful Counsellor', 'Mighty God', 'Eternal Father', 'Prince of Peace'.
(Isaiah 9:2,6 – Good News Version)

However you spend this time of the year, may you know the peace, love and joy of Christ.

Every blessing
Reverend Karen