A message from Rita Goddard, Lay Minister

Posted by Admin on 20 November 2008, 12:00 am

“Excuse me, but do you sell Christmas wrapping paper, please?” “No, I’m sorry, we don’t have any until we have our ‘Launch Christmas’ event in ten days’ time.” So began an interesting conversation in one of our local Superstores. I thought nearly every retailer had ‘bought into’ selling Christmas cards, decorations, gifts, non-perishable items at the end of August or thereabouts. Apparently not! Neither does everyone want to start buying such items towards the end of the summer season. My hairdresser thinks that takes away from the fun of last minute shopping. He is quite unperturbed apparently when his nieces and nephews arrive at his home a week before Christmas Day, asking why he hasn’t put up any decorations yet. God has made us in his own image but also as individuals and so we all have our own preferences. I wonder how you ‘Launch Christmas?’ Maybe you’re like my friend who can always be counted upon to send out her Christmas cards so that they arrive in the post on the first day of December. Maybe you’re more like me, waiting until nearer Christmas time to complete all the preparations. This gives me a shorter space of time ensuring that I focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Maybe there are some of you who would rather not celebrate Christmas, because it brings unhappy memories for one reason or another.

How did God ‘Launch Christmas?’ After all, that’s what we really need to think about. I know that he didn’t have the problem of looking too early for Christmas wrapping paper. But he did give the most amazing gift to the whole world, the gift of his one and only Son, Jesus Christ. There wasn’t any shining tinsel but there was a bright shining star leading men to an ordinary lowly, messy stable. There had been very little, if any, preparation for this new-born baby. No hand-crafted cradle or cot, just an animal feeding trough. God ‘launched Christmas’ by launching himself into the world through the humanity of his Son, Jesus. Just as people are grateful for the gifts they receive at Christmas, so we see the gratitude of those around the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem at that time. Hard working Shepherds were given a night to be remembered as angels broke into their sleepy world. They came with the news that a great and joyful event had taken place because the Saviour of the world had been born.

Wise men from the east travelled with gifts, as do so many of us at Christmas, but they travelled in search of a baby born as a King. When they saw the child Jesus with his mother Mary, they were overcome and knelt down and worshipped him.

Both shepherds and wise men glorified and praised God as they took part in God’s Christmas event. We invite you to come and join with us in our Christmas Services so that together we might glorify and praise God, thanking him too for the greatest gift this world has ever known.

I wish you a very happy Christmas.

Rita

Lay Minister

Do you know of someone who would appreciate a visit by the church? Or would you, yourself, like to meet and talk with someone from the church? Please let Lyn know or contact one of the Churchwardens whose details are given in Northwood News and in the Parish Church Officers section of this website. We’re happy to meet with you, to bring communion to you if you cannot come to church – or to explore with you if you just want to know more about the Christian faith. We are always here for you – because that’s what we’re about!

Lyn McRostie

Rector of Northwood.