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The Bible does not give a date for the birth of Jesus. In the third century it was suggested that Jesus was conceived at the Spring equinox, 25th March, popularising the belief that He was born nine months later on 25th December.  John Chrysostom, the Archbishop of Constantinople, encouraged Christians worldwide to make Christmas a holy...

Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus is brilliantly told – the angel’s visit to Mary to tell her she would be mother of the long-promised Messiah, the old priest in the Temple told by another angel that his wife would have a son to be called ‘John’, who would prepare the people of Israel...

‘Christmas may look different, but the story is still the same!’ Coronavirus will make our celebrations this year look very different from usual. However, the message of the baby born in Bethlehem is still relevant! In one nativity play, the highlight was to illuminate Jesus, with a light in the manger, when all the other...

Ever wonder why Jesus was born when He was?  The Bible tells us that “when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son…” The Jewish people had been waiting for their Messiah for centuries.  Why did God send Him precisely when He did? Many biblical scholars believe that the ‘time had fully come’...

The hour was first chosen at Rome in the fifth century to symbolise the idea that Christ was born at midnight – a mystical idea in no way hindered by historical evidence!  No one knows the hour of His birth. Certainly in recent times, Holy Communion at midnight on Christmas morning has proved popular with...

All in the month of December BEETHOVEN: ‘from the heart to the heart’ The Arab Spring of 2010 John Lennon – 40 years since his death Remembering Bonnie Prince Charlie Mistletoe ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates in the month (this time, DECEMBER) down the years. Here is a range...

The traditional Nativity scene on our Christmas cards has Mary with the Holy Babe. Around her are the shepherds and Magi. We may also see stable animals, angels and a star! While Joseph is often included, his presence seems to be of minor importance. After all, we praise God for Jesus with our familiar Christmas...

It was: 400 years ago, on 21st December 1620 that the first landing party from the British ship Mayflower arrived at what would become Plymouth Colony (now Plymouth Massachusetts). They began building houses there two days later. 300 years ago, on 31st December 1720 that Charles Edward Stuart, commonly known as ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ was...

Our pretty Christmas cards do not do it justice – the stable that Jesus was born in would have been smelly, dirty, and full of mess.   So why did God not provide something better for His beloved Son?   Why let Joseph and Mary scrounge around until they ended up in a smelly stable? Perhaps because...

Joseph and his Amazing Journey Struggling for relinquishment.  (Part Two) A Quiz on 2020 Answers for Quiz on 2020 12 ways to avoid stress this Christmas How many Christmas carols do you really know? The one benefit of a Covid Christmas? How to impress the cat this Christmas Stark sign of the times Over two...

By John Kiddie, CHP (80p single copy; pack of 10, £7; pack of 50, £30) Churches all over the country will be marking Advent and Christmas in both new and familiar ways this year. ‘Comfort and Joy’, the Church of England’s 2020 Christmas campaign, will help enrich your Christmas It features daily reflections for the...

This year, 2020, is a special year for Beethoven: it marks the 250th anniversary of his birth on 16th December 1770. And so it was very fitting that back in August, at the first Live Prom this year in the Royal Albert Hall, the BBC Symphony Orchestra played his 3rd symphony, the Eroica. Beethoven composed...