Category: Advent 2020

The Children of Lifton Primary School have been singing with Philip, our parish priest, to perform some Carols.

Advent Calendar Quiz

There are 14 letters in Advent Calendar, but how many words can you spell using those letters?

After a little research, it seems that there are:

 5 nine letter words

45 eight letter words

92 seven letter words

186 six letter words

171 five letter words

135 four letter words

77 three letter words

Advent Hymn Quiz

One of the great treasures of our tradition of worship is the joy of singing our wonderful Advent Hymns together. Perhaps it is because they are reserved for a small portion of the year, or because they sum up the hope and excitement of the Advent season, or because the words are matched beautifully with some magnificent tunes which make singing them a pleasure.

Unfortunately this year we can’t!

So instead, so that the words can still help us on our Advent Journey,  here are some lines from ten different well known Advent Hymns. 

Can you work out/Do you know which hymns they are from.

Answers later!

1. Carry on every breeze hope of a new world’s new birth:
   
2. And with the treasures of his grace
   
3. For great thou art, and wonders great
   
4. The wedding song swells loud and strong
   
5. Glad tidings from the King of kings
   
6. Gaze we on those glorious scars
   
7. Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
   
8. Then when next hew comes in glory
   
9. Born a child and yet a king
   
10. All knees must bend, all hearts must bow

We are very fortunate in having two members of our regular congregations who are studying on the Diocesan Foundation for Ministry Course.

Here: one of them, Nicola, reflects on one of the most influential books traditionally read, or dramatized, at this time of the year.

A favourite Christmas story of mine is that of Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol”.  Dickens wrote the story at a time of high social depravation and harsh working conditions.  Even so Scrooge’s parsimony and lack of empathy is extreme.  How could this happen?

The Ghost of Christmas Past provides an explanation.  As Scrooge looks back at past events he realises that he has been damaged by fear of being hurt by love.  Over time his heart hardened.  Without love he couldn’t relate to others and built a barrier to protect himself.  As Christians we can relate to this.  God’s love is there for us to accept and embrace.  Without letting it in we can feel and behave like Scrooge.

The Ghost of Christmas Present provides Scrooge with the opportunity to change.  He sees what is really happening in his community and what is wrong with his behaviour.   God gives us this chance to change.  If we accept God’s love, we can love people in return.  God’s love can shape our behaviour.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come starkly reveals Scrooge’s bleak future if he doesn’t change.  Thankfully he can finally allow love in and feel its positive change on his life.  A good ending for a Christmas story!   And what is best of all is that Jesus’ birth is a great beginning for us.

Felicity Mazur-Park, Director of Music at Bethany Lutheran Church, Dallas, Texas, plays an Organ piece based on the Advent Carol: People Look East.

Saintly Wordsearch

As we watch and wait for the coming of the Lord, we should be inspired by those who
have gone before us in faith.

Can you find the names of 31 people, who are all listed in the Church of England
Calendar. Some of them will be well known, and there may be a few surprises!

Answers: next week.

Answers for Previous Days

Answers:

1:      St Pauls

2:      Norwich

3       Leicester

4:      St. Albans

5:      Durham

6:      Portsmouth

7:      Winchester

8:      Southwark

Mary Mazur Park takes us on a wlatz round the churches and parishes of our Benefice……

A Grave Puzzle

Eight Pictures of the Graves/memorials of famous people who have all

been buried in English Cathedrals.

Do you know/can you work out which  Cathedrals are featured here?

Answers to be revealed later!

Answers

1:      St Pauls

2:      Norwich

3       Leicester

4:      St. Albans

5:      Durham

6:      Portsmouth

7:      Winchester

8:      Southwark