Rectors Newsletter : December 2010

Creator of the Stars and Sea, became a Child on Earth for me.

Those words of John Betjeman reach to the heart of what Christmas is about. We all enjoy the lights and the trees and the food and presents of this mid-winter festival but if we are to receive the spiritual gift of the season, we need to look deeper. Christ-mass is about our vast and infinite God choosing to become one of us, to know our tears and joys, as the Carol says. To live our life and die our death and show us there s more that we cannot yet see. In the midst of all the planning and buying and busy-ness your Parish churches seek to offer you some opportunities to be still and have time to ponder the meaning of it all.

Christingle

On 12th December in Castle Bytham Church at 4.00pm the Christingle Service is a lovely way for children (and adults!) to prepare for Christmas by pondering its message by the light of the Christingle Candles.

Carol Services

The traditional service of Lessons and Carols, taking us through the Christmas Party, is at Careby this year at 6.00pm on 19th December. A good sing, and a wonderful way to begin Christmas week.

Another Carol Service, with some different readings, will be at Holywell Church on 21st December at 6.00pm.

Christmas Eve

For children, (and adults) there is the Candle Service, with its Nativity Play, in Little Bytham Church at 4.00pm and then, for those with the energy to stay up late, Christmas begins with Midnight Mass in Castle Bytham at 11.30pm.  This is perhaps, nothing quite so magical – ‘the dark night wakes, the glory breaks and Christmas comes once more’.

Christmas Day

10.00am at Little Bytham, a child-friendly Family Communion Service.  Bring along your favourite present to show us!

And on the Feast of Stephen

Come and remember Good King Wenceslas, as we celebrate Careby’s Patron Saint, and the first Christian Martyr at 9.00am.

… and in the New Year, we hope to be starting a Sunday School … watch out for details.

Have a very blessed and happy Christmas

Sue

Added : 14/03/11 : MG