Tag: The Nativity

Christmas Survival Guide

Tips To Help Christians Celebrate Christmas

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As someone who listens to Christian radio on a regular basis, I often hear phrases similar to “What is a Christian response to…” With this in mind (as well as our rich history of giving tips to Christians wanting to do things a Christian way), I wondered what tips I could find, to help Christians celebrate Christmas.*

  1. Whilst you /your family / housemates / toddler / small child lays peacefully in bed, gently waking up, play a gentle Bible reading around the house, so everyone’s minds are focused on scripture all day long.
  2. Before you open any presents. Dont forget to pray thanking God for the gift of his son Jesus.
  3. Ensure you are at Church on time to be on the (probably already full) front row. After all, that’s where the real celebration is.
  4. Spend the evening knocking on your neighbours doors, ask them if they’re also celebrating the birth of our Lord. If they give anything that isn’t a positive answer, offer to pray in tongues over them. Try and aim for the start of Doctor Who.
  5. Drink non alcoholic mulled wine.
  6. Host an outdoor worship service in your garden
  7. Listen to Christian Music Christmas Praise and Music when ever you have a chance.
  8. After opening any present, remember to stop and all pray thanking God for that present.
  9. Only give Bibles (or commentaries) as a Christmas present.
  10. Set up a biblical nativity scene in your front garden. Dont forget the bright lights, screaming baby, animals, animal smell…
  11. Have a smile on your face all day, dont snap at anyone, and always be joyful.

Have you got any tips to add to help Christians celebrate Christmas?

*Well if you’ve ever wondered how some Christians might celebrate Christmas… maybe its best to ignore the above.

How To Survive Christmas

Weekly Round Up: The Obvious Christmas Edition

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Hi, I’m Elvis. Elvis The Alien.

I’m one of the pets that sometimes sit on The Church when the two Andys arn’t looking.

Well seeing they are both doing Christmassy things they have left me in charge of the weekly roundup.

As its been hard to avoid Christmas stuff this week, I’m going to be predictable and keep with it…

  • Well… if you’ve had the BBC on during the last few evenings the chances are you’ve seen The Nativity on BBC1. I couldn’t help but love it, and thought the Tony Jordan interview with The Telegraph was an insight into the journey he went through while writing it. For a more traditional ‘media’ interview, it also worthwhile checking out the online press pack for The Nativity.
  • The Urban Pastor asks what does a Virgin Birth really mean?
  • Richard Littledale looks at a…rather odd themed Christmas service. Personally I’m not a fan, but as I’m an alien I dont really like food.
  • While finally… the mouse lets us see his letter to Santa…

Well thats me done.

Sorry about the photo btw… I’m not sure if ThatAndy knew what he was doing when he took it…

Christmas Survival Guide

What was Tony Jordans: “The Nativity” about?

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Well. Its been and gone, but what was Tony Jordans: “The Nativity” all about?

Easy Answer. The Birth of Jesus

Was it really?

You have the Magi, Herod, Elizabeth and the whole cast but the script seemed to really draw out two characters; Thomas and Joseph. Two guys struggling with faith. Thomas  has a simple job as a shepherd. He believes in God, but struggles with money, work, health, and finding his place in the world.

While Joseph, in my opinion has the biggest story of them all. A little shy and perhaps a little unsure of himself we see him fall in love with the girl he’s been dreaming for, we see how much he misses her when she was gone, and we see his heart break. We see him question, we see him run, and we see him return.

A few days ago I commented to @iccleanne, that the Church almost seems less human around Christmas time. Worship becomes about predictable carols, sermons almost become guessable, the whole Church thing at Christmas… I cant help but sometimes feel its scripted…

The Nativity reminds us of the humanity at the centre of Gods heart.

Even if Mary is wrapped in Blue by the end…

Watch on iPlayer.