Christmas services and beyond

One of my favourite services has always been midnight communion Christmas eve. As a student returning home I would go along to a local Anglican church as very few of the local methodist churches held one. In my early days of ministry I would drive out to my Hilton chapel in Cambridgeshire , the roads very empty and a sense of expectation in the air. Again it always seemed very special and the focus very different from a Christmas morning service. It's not about presents or food , just a moment to reflect on a God loving the world and all very vulnerable.

This year again worship down at out Pitsmoor church had that lovely feeling of expectation as we passed from christmas eve to christmas day , and bread broken and wine poured, and the mystery continues.

Christmas day at Firth Park was great as well with our two congregations gathering, and as the service progressed, and more joined us over 120, it felt to me like the gathering of the nations. Now thats an image to hold onto, peoples of the world  coming together because of Jesus.  

Then it was time to travel to London to spend the rest of  the day with family especially our grand daughter. Though she had lots of presents she didnt need any , 

Time for a cuddle out on a walk what more does a granddad need?

Well the holiday time soon moves on and back to routine and life in Sheffield.

The battle to save trees is an ongoing issue and good to see the protest outside the town hall.

The council really have misjudged this one. It can only be hoped that sense will prevail. Yet its good to see that the city of Sheffield that has always been a place of protest against injustice is alive and kicking. Especially in these uncertain times.

It was good in our staff meeting to worship and think ahead and symbolically express our thoughts, dreams and concerns. Laying them before both cross and candle.

  In sharing what they meant we learnt so much about one another. Being in community is of course about that willingness to  be open to another so we can grow closer together. Its not about agreeing. Its  about in love holding the tensions and not falling out. In a world of uncertainity when language used is so designed to divide. The Jesus community needs to be a cause of hope that walls do not have to be built because wallking and living Jesus life people can with justice live together. 

So a Christmas day service with people from around the world becomes the reality of what God is doing.