Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

It is to St Luke’s wonderful gospel that many Christians turn as the year draws to a close and Christmas approaches, for it is to St Luke that we owe the fullest account of the nativity. Luke alone tells us the story of Mary and the angel’s visit to her, and has thus given the...

By Richard Littledale, Authentic, £7.99 For many of us, putting out a crib set is one of our treasured Christmas traditions. But what do these scenes really tell us about the original Christmas story? Richard Littledale, a regular contributor to Daily Service and Sunday Worship on BBC Radio 4, shares reflections, Bible readings and prayers...

The Church of England’s Giving Team has produced a new series of week-long resources (Sunday to Sunday) to encourage people to live generously. It hoped that parishes will use them to organise their own Generosity Week, at a time suitable for them. The material includes eight daily podcast reflections based on generosity in the Bible. A verse...

By Vicki Howie, Bible Society, £2 This children’s story booklet offers a fresh retelling of the nativity story focusing on God’s heart for all He has made. Created in partnership with HOPE Together.

Here is a challenge:  why not spend some time learning the words to traditional carols this year? Polls have found that too many of us know the title of a carol and the tune and the opening line or so, but then we have to make it up. This year you probably have more time...

During this year we have explored the beauty and wonder of our world in the rich variety of all creatures great and small. In the months of lockdown and restrictions, many of us have used the time to look afresh at the world of Nature and have learnt to value it once again. When we...

Release International can confirm a total of 69 Christian prisoners of faith have now been released in Eritrea – while five more have been arrested. Release partners say that many have been long-term prisoners. One has been behind bars for 16 years. None has ever been sent to trial. When news of their release broke...

– Bishop of London’s message of hope The Bishop of London, Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, has said that despite this being a time of “great uncertainty and challenge” as the world struggles to “overcome a devastating pandemic that has cut short earthly lives, destroyed livelihoods, and separated us from the people and activities we enjoy,”...

Almost certainly not.  But the story of how that date came to be chosen as His ‘birthday’ is one that stretches back long before His birth. it seems to have started on the Greek island of Rhodes in 283 BC. That year the solstice fell on 25th December, and it was also the year that...

By Dai Woolridge, Bible Society, £2 This children’s story places a mouse detective at the heart of the action in Bethlehem, and he slowly discovers who Jesus really is: Emmanuel, Rescuer and King. It is perfect to give out as a free gift to children in your church or local school.

Last month we thought about one key element of gathered worship – the Welcome. It is for everyone, regardless of how they look, or dress, their faith or their behaviour. This month, being the month of Advent and Christmas, let’s focus on Grace. God, in Jesus, did not wait for us to become perfect or...

On the whole British people are happy with the title ‘Father Christmas’, a suitably neutral name for the central character in children’s Christmases, writes David Winter. In America, however, and by a process of cultural indoctrination increasingly in other English-speaking countries, the same red-coated and bearded fellow with his sack of presents is known as...