Have You Seen the Angels?

This advent season we are focusing on angels.  Our service series is loosely based on the service series of Kenneth D. Koeman, we are following his title: ‘Have You Seen the Angles?’ and the Scriptural basis.

Here we want to post all the angels you encountered with this Advent and Christmas season, for they are around us.  They are there on the various posters, post cards, but they are also living and moving in our midst.  Have you seen someone doing good, being nice to someone else, helping with shopping, or just smiling, or just saying thank you?  Their actions, words can be a good news message to someone.  So if you see tha angels around take a photo of them and email it to angels@stcolumbahelensburgh.org

Click on the image of the angel to see the photos already taken.

Young Church at Christmas 2008

Photos taken by Roger Brown

Thought for the Week – Helen Caldwell

Luke Chapter 2 Verse 7

“And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger”.

The Christmas Story seems to mean more to me, reading it from the King James Version of the Bible, than any other. It brings back so many childhood memories and I am sure many of you will think that it is a sign of old-age creeping up on me!

Happily, many of the primary schools have their own Nativity productions at this time of year.

There is something very special about seeing and hearing of the Christmas Story through the eyes of a child. This was brought home to me recently at the Dorian Choir Concert, hearing the lovely voices and seeing the bright faces of the Hermitage Primary School Choir, telling the Story in song.

In these politically correct times in which we live, how refreshing it is to know that our children are hearing the Story of Christmas.

Prayer

Dear Lord,
This Christmas, may we all take time out of our busy lives, to remember the wondrous Story of Jesus’ birth.

Amen

From the Manse – December 2008

“You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

I was browsing through some Christmas images to use one as an appropriate illustration of the meaning of the occasion. Then I found this by a Hungarian artist Andras Simon. Somebody remarked it is a nice picture, but one hardly can see Jesus in it. He was right, indeed He is hardly visible on it, but it is exactly this aspect that makes the image so relevant today.

There are so many images that imply the coming of Christmas. Christmas trees are decorated, homes adorned with bright flashing lights, preparations for Christmas dinner keep us busy, and in the celebration – Jesus is hardly visible.

People keep notice and are waiting for the sales and the best bargains. (The other day Sue was in one of the great retailers in Glasgow and remarked it to the lady at the counter that it was very quiet in the shop. ‘Yes – she answered – everybody is waiting for the 20% off sale that will start tomorrow.’ Well, we missed it again.) Presents are exchanged as an expression of love, and even in that – Jesus is hardly visible.

Children’s attention is focused on Santa Claus and the attractions of grottos, where – Jesus is not at all visible.

On special stamps to mark the occasion (the birthday of Jesus Christ!) it is more likely to find some wintery scene or a panto character – for Jesus is hardly visible in today’s Christmas.

It seems that the western world celebrates a Christmas without Christ; a birthday without a birth; and the coming of a kingdom without a king.

But one had to look for Him on the first Christmas night too! I am afraid I never quite appreciated enough the words of the angels to the shepherds: “You will find a baby…” What an encouragement and promise. You will surely find Him if you go and look for Him. Therefore so did the shepherds and later the magi.

Can those who are seeking more this Christmas than just the mince pies, mould wine and good time, find Him? Can they find Him in us that are called to be His followers? Let us seek and display Him in our celebrations. May we find Him afresh in our midst, in our lives, so that we will be able to show His love and power when the celebrations are gone. For we are celebrating a living Saviour whose return we are awaiting.

Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With every blessing,

From your minister, George

Christmas Mailbox

Christmas Greetings to all, From St Columba Church

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