“Greetings” is the first word of the Christmas story. Today, it has come to mean a pleasant way to say hello to someone, but often, no more than this. Yet, in the Christmas story, the word "greetings" (Gk. χαίρω) is remarkably rich in meaning. Mary’s role in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world... Continue Reading →
The Crib and the Cry
The Crib and the Cry; The animals in wonder. * The Cross and the Why; The people in blunder. * Was this Jesus the Son of God? As a baby surely not! As a man, upon a cross, surely, no. What would it look like if God came to earth; * In disguise, as one... Continue Reading →
It’s Christmas!
Below is the script I wrote for BBC Radio Devon Sunday Service for Christmas 2016 (and I stand by every word, and many other words besides!): I am going to be honest with you this morning. And my honesty may cause concern, relief or perplexity in equal measure….or it may cause hope. I don’t... Continue Reading →
The necessity of the ‘upon-ness’ of the Spirit
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed, To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour." Luke 4:19-19... Continue Reading →
The Christmas Dinner
Christmas Day 2016 Turkey The Disciples Sometimes they acted like turkeys; sometimes they spoke like turkeys. Sometimes they are just like you and me. We are the type of people God loves; We are the type of people that Jesus came for. Roast Potatoes The Roman Soldiers Their on the plate,... Continue Reading →
Some Christmas Reality
Thanks Glen! Santa vs Jesus https://youtu.be/NmS_s23TL1k Four Kinds of Christmas https://youtu.be/59suAek3sqo Anti-Santy-Ranty https://youtu.be/IokTM3PEGiM
Die sin must or God
Christmas isn't usually the time to talk about evil, or of Satan's ultimate destruction, but that is precisely what Christmas, the coming of God in Christ, means. Evil encompases all the chaos and dysfunction in the world, all the rebellion against God; and God's salvation means an end to all that, and the return to... Continue Reading →
Ironies of the Nativity
A short reflection used throughout a candlit carol service at church. Ironies of the Nativity in Matthew 2 2:1 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea…” Bethlehem. The ancestral birth place of the Great King David, through whose line the promised Messiah would come. So Jesus was born of a royal human line... Continue Reading →
The Throbbing Whisper of the Lord
I have just found my recently misplaced 1889 copy of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, the 14th century Catholic mystic, and one of the world's most read books. It can be bought from any decent bookshop, but also downloaded as a PDF here, something I'm sure Thomas would have approved! In the... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 