HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Enjoy the prezzies, fun, TV, crackers… and in it all… spare some time to think, reflect, pray, read or attend Church, so that the great meaning of this day doesn’t pass you by.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians chapter 2). Don’t forget to open this prezzy of all prezzies!

(PREVIOUS DAYS BELOW)

CHRISTMAS EVE, 24th

Ooooooooooo… 1 day to go! Plan your Christmas day NOW (Don’t forget the Christmas Celebration, 10.30am at Church on the Roundabout)! Rule the TV…don’t let it rule you… Wrap up a family game or DVD. Open it tonight and play it!!!

… if you want to watch some good TV today…”The Nativity Story” BBC1 11.35am; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe BBC1 2.15pm ; A Christmas Carol Channel 5 7.05pm

What’s on? 1pm Community Carols in St Thomas’ Church;  A special Christmas story session at Newport Library 10.30-1145 (4-8yrs) –stories games craft- FREE just turn up

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Reflect… its more than a story… it’s life-changing…spend some time with God…experience that joy of knowing its true this Christmas

HO HO HO What did Adam say on December 24th?
‘It’s Christmas!  Eve.’

More on Christmas Day… see you then!

WEDNESDAY 23rd

Happy Christmas Eve Eve today!

More shopping?… remember this Advent the “don’t use more plastic bags challenge”…bring a bag or three… don’t use the shop ones! Tried Castle Books yet? Also…Give a gift of your blood…today 1-3.30 & 4.30-7pm at the Riverside Centre

 In Luke 2v15, we read, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”   Emphasis on “hurried”! At this stage of Christmas, there is a lot of last minute hurrying, (unless you’re the well organised type!), but here’s a challenge to hurry in the right direction… there is a way to God… through His son Jesus… hurry in His direction today…

HO HO HO What do reindeer have that no other animals have ?
Baby reindeer !

CLICK ON TOMORROW FOR SOME FUN CHRISTMAS EVE EVENTS FOR ALL AGES!

TUESDAY 22nd

Three days to go…Tired out?…find a good old Xmas DVD…get a duvet…and a nice drink…and enjoy it with family or friends!

 Getting EXCITED?… so was heaven… “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ”Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  (Luke 2v13,14). Enjoy the excitement of Christmas with God this year!

HO HO HO How do you make a slow reindeer fast ?
Don’t feed it !

MONDAY 21st

FOUR TO GO…STILL stuck for gifts?… how about thinking of something you could DO later in the year for someone, and make them a nice token, eg “Come round for a meal token”, “Coffee out on me” token… or “tidy my room” token!

Why did Jesus bother? The answer is spelled out clearly and concisely in John’s Gospel, chapter 3 verse 16: …”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

HO HO HO Why do reindeer wear fur coats ?
Because they would look silly in plastic macs !

SUNDAY 20th

With five days to go ’til Christmas… to feel really Christmassy, there’s only ONE place to be today… The Candlelight Carol Service at Church on the Roundabout, 6pm tonight

More on Christmas Attitude…In Philippians chapter 2, it says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  ⁶Who, being in very nature^[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature^[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man… “

HO HO HO What do you call a gigantic polar bear? Nothing, you just run away!

SATURDAY 19th

Shopping? If so… wishing you all the very best… build in some coffee breaks(!)… and bring your own bags (are you taking the Advent challenge- see day 15)… resist those plastic bags!  Also, how about giving to a charity collector and donating a smile- its contagious!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Peace to you this Christmas!

HO HO HO What did Jack Frost say to Frosty the Snowman? Have an ice day!

FRIDAY 18th

For those who looked at yesterday… I said I would let you know how it went… the spoiling someone special did go down VERY WELL! Might even try it again today…!

Still stuck for gifts and getting worried?… Wrap up some TIME for someone. Rather than giving a present you can’t afford and they don’t want, give them eg 2 hours garden tidying, room tidying (kids!) 1 hours ironing etc

Luke 2v12  “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” God … in a manger? Yes, he likes the humble, serving  approach to life… and has proved it here. This Christmas, lets try to show some of that attitude in putting others first…

HO HO HO Knock Knock
- Who’s there ?
Holly
- Holly who ?
Holly-days are here again !

THURSDAY 17th

8 days to go… hope you’re not feeling stressed, but remember… if you are then so are others… so here’s an idea- spoil someone special today- sit them down, make them that cup of tea that they long for… dare to ask, “is there anything I can do to help?” I’m going to try this today… will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

Luke 2v11: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord.” This is a meessage to the whole world, so the “you” means “me” and it means “you“… Jesus came to be our Saviour… think what this means to you personally today… chat it over with someone, or even with God in prayer.

HO HO HO Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
Mary
- Mary who?
Mary Christmas!

WEDNESDAY 16th

NINE DAYS TO GO… so how about bringing some cheer into someone’s busy life today with a nice, non-demanding, friendly text! Another way to get that Festive feeling…7pm A Christmas Carol LIVE at Quay Arts, put on by Solent Youth Theatre… OR (cos you can’t do both at once!) 7.30pm Café Church Coffee n Carols @ Thornton’s Ryde (with your hosts, Martin & Susan Gibson)

Another look at Luke 2v10… The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people“….Think… this good news of great joy is for ALL PEOPLE… by definition, that’s you and me, which is perhaps why the angel said this to “normal” shepherds and not great theologians in the first place!

HO HO HO: 2 snowmen in a field… one says to the other…”brrrrr, its cold out here.” The other says “Agggghjhhhhh a talking snowman”

TUESDAY 15th

Tues 15^th Take the “plastic bag challenge”…How many plastic bags will you get between now and Christmas when you go shopping? Less than 5… Congrats, you are an Enviro-pal; 5-10 Good effort…

In Luke 2v10 we read, “… the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”  Think: Great Joy…a joy that is on the inside and 24/7, not dependant on circumstance… why not ask God for this joy in your life this Christmas?

HO HO HO What happened when the snowman annoyed the snowwoman? She gave him the cold shoulder.

MONDAY 14th

Here’s a Christmas thought to bring you cheer… if you are a pupil, student or teacher of any sort, this time next week, you’ll be on HOLIDAY!!!

Make Peace…It’s the season of Good Will. Jesus came to bring peace and forgiveness to our world… Is there someone that we need to forgive or ask forgiveness from this Christmas?

Luke 2v10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” THINK… if Good news of great joy could be bought at Tesco’s, they would sell out fast… but it is available for all people, which by definition means you and me… and is only one prayer away

HO HO HO Why would you invite a mushroom to a Christmas party?
He’s a fun guy to be with!

SUNDAY 13th

It’s the last day of Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival… comes highly recommended @St Mary’s Church Brighstone. Open til 6pm. Also check out http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/tp/christmasgifts.htm for your top 10 Christian gift ideas

Have you got “attitude” this Christmas? Philippians 2v5-11 says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus… who was willing to take on the nature of a servant… and humble himself…”   Try out the effects of some Jesus “attitude” over the next few weeks…

HO HO HO Why do Canadians find turkey so popular at Christmas?
Because the weather is warmer there.

SATURDAY 12th

When Christmas shopping (if you’re brave enough!), pop into the Oxfam shop (no longer naff). Any gift you buy from there will be helping others too, including Fairtrade chocolate

In Luke 1v37 Mary is wondering how she is going to have this baby… seeing as she was a virgin. The angel tells her “Nothing is impossible with God!” That’s the great thing about being a Christian… with God anything is possible… there’s no limitations… there’s always hope! Why not bring some “impossible” situations to God in prayer today…?

HO HO HO! What’s the most popular Christmas wine?………… ‘I don’t like Brussels sprouts!’

FRIDAY 11th

CHRISTMAS FUN Visit http://christianity.about.com/od/christmas/tp/christmasmovies.htm to find their Top 10 Christmas movies. Watch one!

Luke 1v30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary” This phrase is echoed again and again by God to mankind…

HO HO HO Mum, can I please have a cat for Christmas? No.  You’ll have turkey the same us the rest of us.

THURSDAY 10th

So… with 15 days til Christmas… hows it going? All on target? Not too stressed? Enjoying the season? Here’s hoping! I hope that in this time of general business, you have time to have a look at this great verse from Isaiah predicting the birth of our Saviour… it says, “he will be called…Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9v6). What a title…and that’s exactly what Jesus wants to bring into our lives… Peace with a capital “P”. Now here’s a practical thought to bring something good into someone’s life…Give a gift of your blood…today 1-3.30 & 4.30-7pm at the Riverside Centre, Newport! You’ll never meet the recipitent of your gift, but they will be extremely grateful. On a lighter note…What do lions sing at Christmas?
Jungle bells!

WEDNESDAY 9th

Advent Idea: Go and see “Nativity” or “A Christmas Carol 3D” (Orange Wednesday)- take the family/ friend…talk about it. Alternatively…time for a few more Christmas cards (little by little…!)

Spiritually thinking… Isaiah 9v6 says “…he will be called…Everlasting Father”  Whether we have/had a great Father or not, God promises here to be a perfect heavenly Father to us. This Christmas, that’s just the sort of relationship He wants to have with us… and he’s only one prayer away

HO HO HO… What do you call people who are frightened of Santa?
Claus-traphopic.

TUESDAY 8th

Practical tip: Give a Christmas gift to your teeth…floss them!!!

Spiritual Thought: Isaiah 9v6 “…He will be called Mighty God”  The little baby in a manger…alias Mighty God! There is nothing God can’t do in our life with our cooperation!

Havin a laugh! Q. Where do Snow-women like to dance?
A. At Snowballs.

MONDAY 7th

Practical Enviro Challenge: Try going the whole of Advent without getting another plastic bag from a shop!!!

Spiritual Thought: Isaiah 9v6 prophesies about Jesus,  “…He will be called Wonderful Counsellor”  We can bring our deepest thoughts, cares, confusions and questions to Jesus in prayer this Christmas

Havin’ a laugh: What do you get if Santa comes down your chimney when the fire is ablaze?
Crisp Kringle.

SUNDAY 6^th

PRACTICAL TIP: Get to PNP Carol service, 6pm at Downside Middle School… be part of our local community… and get that Christmas feeling!

Spiritual Thought: Isaiah 9v6 says, “For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Take  a few minutes to think and reflect on just who the Son of God is, based on this verse

Havin a laugh! Q. How do Snowman travel around?
A. By riding an icicle.

SATURDAY 5th

It’s the 5^th already… 20 days to go!

Practical Tip: Pop up to the Lavendar farm in Newport- a great place to buy presents which also help benefit the local community.

Then there’s a Carol Concert with “Renaissance” at newport Minster 7pm in aid of Love Russia (donation). Now that’s Christmassy!

Spiritual Tip: In Isaiah 9v3, we read, “You have increased their joy…”         Christmas is meant to be a joyful time, but isn’t always… The Christmas joy God gives is inside us, not based on events. Now that’s worth asking for!

Havin a laugh! Q. Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?
A. Because he had low ‘elf’ esteem.

FRIDAY 4th

Practical Tip: Another prezzie goldmine… Castle Books, at the top of Newport High Street. They do everything from stocking-fillers (pens, pencils, boucy balls etc) to great books (of course) and music CDs and DVDs. In this age of internet shopping, this local business could really do with our support

Spiritual Tip: In Isaiah 9v2, the birth of a Saviour is phrophesied 700 years before it happened. In it we read, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 2000 years after Christmas, Jesus still promises to bring His light into darkness we may have in our lives…

Havin a laugh! One Christmas, Joe and Peter built a skating rink in the middle of a field. A shepherd leading his flock decided to take a shortcut across the rink. The sheep, however, were afraid of the ice and wouldn’t cross it. Desperate, the shepherd began tugging them to the other side. ‘Look at that, ‘remarked Peter to Joe, ‘That guy is trying to pull the wool over our ice!’

ALSO VISIT http://www.whywearewaiting.com/ Church of England goes Green this Xmas

THURS 3rd DECEMBER

 Practical Tip: Can’t think what to buy that special person who has everything? Visit www.musthavegifts.org/?adid=dgmxmas08 . Your gift will really make a difference

Spiritual Thought: In Luke 2v7, we read, “Mary wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn.”   Make room at your “inn” for Jesus this Christmas… spend a bit of time with him… he’s only one prayer away!

Havin a laugh! Good King Wenceslas phoned for a pizza.
The salesgirl asked him, ‘Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?’

WEDS 2nd DECEMBER

23 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS! Welcome to our on-line Advent Calendar… Thoughts & Practical ideas to help MAKE THE MOST OF CHRISTMAS

Practical Tip: Have an GREEN Christmas this year…HOW? Well you can get some ideas by popping down to the Quay Arts Centre 6.30pm, for displays by local environmental groups (hopefully including freebies!), followed by (at 7.30pm) the film “Age of Stupid” (see http://www.ageofstupid.net/ for details). Cost £3 includes a glass of Fairtrade wine

 Spiritual Thought: In Matthew 1v23, the Bible tells us they will call the baby “Immanuel, meaning God with us”. Take a few minutes to think about God becoming a human… understanding us… feeling what we feel…

 Havin a laugh! How do you know Santa has to be a man?
No woman is going to wear the same outfit year after year.

1st Dec

Practical Tip: Start writing your Christmas cards today…you will have time to put something meaningful in them. How about making your own, or getting the kids to do a design and then photocopying it onto card. OR buy charity cards and help someone out

Spiritual Tip: Start Advent with God…dig out your Bible…Why did they call their little boy Jesus? (See Matthew 1v21)

Have a laugh: Why is Christmas like a day at the office? You do all the hard work and the fat guy in the suit gets all the credit!

SEE YOU TOMORROW!