Special services

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

What do you find wonderful and exciting about Christmas? – The decorations – the party atmosphere – the rich food – the holidays off work – being with your family and friends? – over-indulging in a little wine or spirits? – If you ask many families what they think makes their Christmas enjoyable and exciting – they will probably answer – the children – seeing their faces light up as they open their presents – giving and sharing time with them – There are many things wonderful about Christmas. The fact that we have a Christmas at all is a wonderful tribute to the overwhelming love and grace of God

So – How’s the celebrations going? – Did the day match up to your expectations? – has it been a Christmas to remember? – What’s been the best so far? – The food? Time with family or friends? – Coming to church? – Opening the presents? –or watching the children or grandchildren open theirs? – If you had to choose three words to represent your Christmas – what would you choose? – The Christmas Dinner? – the Queens Speech? – Morcambe and Wise? – I wonder what three words God would want us to choose ?

Gifts – we’ve seen a lot of them about lately. What with Christmas presents – the giving and receiving of the most precious gift of all – Jesus Christ – and in this season of Epiphany – the arrival of the three kings – and their gifts – of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Been to any good weddings lately? If you’ve been following the soaps this Christmas – you might be thinking that there’s no such thing. The scriptwriters seemed to have written in – every problem imaginable. Today on this feast of the Epiphany –-we are guests at another wedding – and this one too has big problems– but in this case Jesus was on hand to save the day –

Mothering Sunday is a special day! – a special day in the church calendar – a special day for families – when mum is given flowers or sent a card – children say thank you for the love and support she brings –

Sun-shine it makes all the difference. When the Sun’s out – we feel much better –– especially after a long gloomy winter. The Sun gives us light – warmth – a sense of – get up and Go! Easter too is all about the Son coming out. After the darkness of the cross – we have the brightness and hope of the resurrection.

Harvest time – conjures up all sorts of images – of fields full of corn – Farmers in their combine Harvesters – tractors towing carts piled high with – potatoes – turnips – and sugar beet – But probably the most familiar image of all – for Christians is Jesus’ parable of the Sower –