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Here is our Christmas Countdown Clock! Day Fourteen activities If you have an Advent Wreath - here is a short reading and ceremony before lighting the two candles. Advent 3: VOICE 1: Today is the third Sunday in Advent, When we remember John the Baptist, who proclaimed the coming of Christ, along with all God's faithful messengers preparing the way for the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Saviour of the world. VOICE 2: And so despite imprisonment, hardship and cruelty, the Light shines on in the world, and John bore witness to the Light, he was God's Herald, and because of the coming of Jesus, We are all called to proclaim the Good News, the Truth, that all might believe through Jesus Christ. VOICE 3: We light the third candle to remember John the Baptist, and his faithful proclamation, give us grace to listen to the witness, so that in Jesus Christ we might fulfil all our dreams for life and human dignity and purpose, and Eternal life. Prayer: Loving God our Father we thank You for Your eternal Love to us. On this Third Sunday in Advent, as we light the third candle, we are reminded of the John the Baptist who was faithful in preparing the way for Your beloved Son, that he brought hope and forgiveness to many people and was faithful even unto death, mirroring the work and witness of Jesus. We stand in awe and wonder at the the names given to Your Son, help us to remember that the helpless babe that was promised grew into the man who gave his life that we might have life, help us not just to see the light of the candles, but the light of new life in Jesus Amen. A thought for the day and for others and an alternative Nativity A thought for the Third Sunday Advent. Luke Ch3 v7 and V10 to 14 John the Baptist gives good advice: "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay." In this passage we find John the Baptist responding to the people who were following him and interested in his message. He is giving them advice on how to live, work, serve and be content. A useful lesson for us all in these straightened times. I was thinking about the picture that I used on the front page of the website, of the nativity in a bus shelter. It made me think about what Mary and Joseph went through at the time of the birth of Jesus - but more of that later. John tells the people if you have sufficient then you should share or give to others, food, clothing and in your dealings with others treat them fairly. A very uptodate message for us all this Christmas. Jerome's Christmas Message is worth repeating here: Be calm, so that you may enjoy the time of preparing; Budget your time and money, so that you do not forget Jesus or your neighbour; Rejoice in your abundance, so that you can help those who are sad or who have nothing; Give and receive, so that you can be open to receive God’s love and give it to others. This Christmas, in the midst of all the preparation try to be aware of what is happening around you, watch for those who are sad or depressed, for those who are lonely and would appreciate a visit, or company to help with their Christmas preparations. Remember those who are ill, in hospital, at home, or even pretending to be ok, try to be sensitive, and finally take a little time for God and youself so you can benefit by his peace that passes all human comprehension. Prayer: Lord, sometimes we ask a question, like the people asked of John, "What should we do then?" But we don't really want to hear the answer incase it is too hard or difficult or demands too much from us. Father as we learn more about You this Advent season, we ask that we might be blessed by Your Spirit, help us to listen to that still small voice, willing, following and serving, sharing, caring and loving. Amen. Something to think about and do today Those in need at Christmas: Until this moment we have looked at our preparations for Christmas, we have learned about lots of our customs, legends and stories and we have read the the Advent Scriptures. Today's verses are different because John tells the people to share out of their sufficiency with those in need. At Christmas time there are many in need, particularly the homeless, and so that will be today's theme. The above poster is taken from the Salvation Army's appeal this Christmas, they have set out their commitment and hopes as follows: MIRACLES OF COMPASSION... for people who are homeless and desperate MIRACLES OF HOPE... for families struggling to survive MIRACLES OF FRIENDSHIP... for older people who are isolated Find out more about the Salvation Army Homeless Christmas appeal - Click here - Opens in a new window These are very good aims and intentions and very Scriptural. I have selected our readings for Advent, but if we use some of the ones from the lectionary - a list of Bible readings that follows the Christian year - then we find a very intersting theme developing. The passages tells us about the kind of people that God in Jesus came to help, those whom God goes out of His way to embrace. These Scriptures describe at least eighteen kinds of needy people who are perhaps forgotten by the world but who are remembered in God's compassion: the blind, the lame, the diseased, the deaf, the dead, the poor, the dumb, the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoners, the bowed down, foreigners, orphans, widows, the humble, and then my three favorites, those with feeble hands, weak knees, and fearful hearts. The Christmas message to these people is "do not fear, be patient, have confidence." Here are the Readings (Revised Common Lectionary, from Year A) - Isaiah 35:1–10 - Psalm 146:5–10 or Luke 1:47–55 - Matthew 11:2–11. why not see how many you can find? See if I have missed any! These Scriptures remind us that the Christmas story is essentially that of a God of tenderness and love who seeks to redeem us in whatever sort of lostness we find ourselves. On that first Christmas night, Jesus was born in a dirty stable and not a palace. The central characters in this drama were all homeless, albeit for a time — Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men. No wonder so many people missed the miracle. I wondered what it might be like if the story was brought uptodate! Thanks to Sandy Hunter for the Idea. Here is a photo of the local Bethlehem Herald with the story! I wonder if you have ever read GK Chestertons poem about the Nativity - well here it is: The House of Christmas There fared a mother driven forth Out of an inn to roam; In the place where she was homeless All men are at home. The crazy stable close at hand, With shaking timber and shifting sand, Grew a stronger thing to abide and stand Than the square stones of Rome. For men are homesick in their homes, And strangers under the sun, And they lay on their heads in a foreign land Whenever the day is done. Here we have battle and blazing eyes, And chance and honour and high surprise, But our homes are under miraculous skies Where the yule tale was begun. A Child in a foul stable, Where the beasts feed and foam; Only where He was homeless Are you and I at home; We have hands that fashion and heads that know, But our hearts we lost - how long ago! In a place no chart nor ship can show Under the sky's dome. This world is wild as an old wives' tale, And strange the plain things are, The earth is enough and the air is enough For our wonder and our war; But our rest is as far as the fire-drake swings And our peace is put in impossible things Where clashed and thundered unthinkable wings Round an incredible star. To an open house in the evening Home shall men come, To an older place than Eden And a taller town than Rome. To the end of the way of the wandering star, To the things that cannot be and that are, To the place where God was homeless And all men are at home. So what can we do this Christmas that will have lasting benefits - here are a few suggestions: Visit the website of Bethany Christian Trust in Edinburgh and find out how YOU can help - Click here - Opens in a new window Visit Shelters website and find out how YOU can help - Click here - Opens in a new window Visit The Christian Aid website and find out how YOU can help - Click here - Opens in a new window Visit The Chrisis at Christmas website and find out how YOU can help - Click here - Opens in a new window We were talking about the Shepherds earlier so here is a picture of the Nativity with the shepherds to colour in - right click to download the picture and colour it in using your Paint Programme.