An Evangelical Church in the Heart of Thatcham

Are we forgetting the lines?

First it was Stacey Solomon reading her lines from a clipboard at the panto and then it was Patti Smith, the stand-in for Bob Dylan, having trouble getting through the song lyrics at the Nobel Peace prize ceremony. Well I’m sure it’s not just them – you see I was going down the supermarket card isles and it struck me that the wording on Christmas cards is shrinking. Just a few years back there tended to be verses from the Bible explaining the pictures, now all we have is just one more stand-in called Santa. So here’s a festive “clipboard” with added cues lest we don’t really know the words any more:

 

Six centuries before Christ:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…”

“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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The angel to Mary:

“… Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”

Gabriel announces the Good News to the shepherds:

“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. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Jesus’ names and meanings:

“‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us.’”

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

I am the Pastor at Thatcham Evangelical Church in West Berkshire. This is an FIEC (Fellowship of Evangelical Churches) affiliated church.