It is lovely to see many visitors at our Christmas services at the parish church, and we warmly welcome them. A full church particularly for our carol service and our children’s nativity service is very encouraging to see.
But once New Year comes, it’s back to reality for us as a church family with a more normal pattern of attendance. The regular church congregation is there because for them Christianity is not just for Christmas. By God’s grace we are disciples of Christ all year round.
And that makes sense when you think about it. One of the great Christmas biblical texts is from the prophet Isaiah, written about 750 years before the birth of Christ and looking forward to the coming of God’s King -
'Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Councillor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9v6).
‘The government shall be upon his shoulder.’ It would be a pretty odd government, not to mention an incompetent one, that only governed at Christmas. Thankfully, Christ exercises his loving rule over his people all year round.
He forgives us our sins all year round; he speaks to us through his Word all year round; he is present with us by His Holy Spirit all year round.
For us he is our ‘Prince of Peace’ all year round – he gives us peace with God, the gift of sins forgiven and the assurance of his eternal love, all year round.
The people of this parish are warmly invited to join us for our Christmas services. God willing, those joining us will discover that Christianity is not just for Christmas and we will see some of you again in the New Year.
With all Christian good wishes to your and your loved ones,
Julian Mann
Vicar
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT THE PARISH CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, OUGHTIBRIDGE
Sunday December 20th 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight
Christmas Eve (Thursday) 4pm Nativity Service
11.30pm Holy Communion
Christmas Day (Friday) 10.30am Family Service followed by Holy Communion
'Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful...' (Isaiah 9v6).
The greatest gift of all was given to us. It is only right that we thank God constantly, daily, weekly etc.
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