Day 24 

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Day 19 

Join us on the last Sunday before Christmas Day for our 'Light Up Christmas' Carol Service, either in-person, with the service starting at 5:00pm, or live or at your convenience later on YouTube, below:
 

Day 14 

 

 Day 13

Day 12 

Today in the Shotgate Baptist Church, Sunday School the young people will be making Christmas biscuits, why not come along if you have children and they can enjoy making biscuits with our young people?

 Day 11

The Christian music  group Pentatonix brings us their song Mary, Did you Know?

 

 Day 10

Enjoy the wonderful carol in the Bleak Midwinter, courtesy of the choir at King's College, Cambridge.

Day 9

 

Let's get in the Spirit of Christmas

A Christmas Carol - O Holy Night, by Christian BSL

Celebrate the month of advent in an inclusive way with the Christian BSL, who have produced their own version of a classic Christmas carol.
 

 Day 8

 

This Little Babe 

How Great is Our God! Who would suspect a baby!

This little Babe so few days old is come to rifle Satan's fold; all hell doth at his presence quake though he himself for cold do shake; for in this weak unarmèd wise the gates of hell he will surprise.

With tears he fights and wins the field, his naked breast stands for a shield; his battering shot are babish cries, his arrows looks of weeping eyes, his martial ensigns Cold and Need and feeble Flesh his warrior's steed.

His camp is pitchèd in a stall, his bulwark but a broken wall; the crib his trench, haystacks his stakes; of shepherds he his muster makes; and thus, as sure his foe to wound, the angels' trump alarum sound.

My soul, with Christ join thou in fight, stick to the tents that he hath pight. Within his crib is surest ward, this little Babe will be thy guard. If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, then flit not from this heavenly Boy.

Day 7

 

A More Unusual Carol

Some English carols were called mystical because of their rich legendary lore. Many lacked the reverence but were festive and enjoyed by most. In one such carol the singer pretends to be Christ on the eve of his marriage to the church:

"Tomorrow shall be my dancing day:
I would my true love so did chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance"

From Song of Songs Chapter 8 verse 14

Arise, my darling!
Come quickly, my beloved.
Come and be the graceful gazelle with me.
Come be like a young stag with me.
We will dance in the high place of the sky,
Yes, on the mountains of fragrant spice.
Forever we shall be united as one!

Day 6 

The 6th December is known as St. Nicholas Day in Europe, it is also commonly known as the Feast of St. Nicholas. To celebrate December 6, have a feast with your family and friends. There’s nothing wrong with splurging on some food for a day.  Although St. Nicholas partially inspired the Christmas and Santa Clause that we all know and love, St. Nicholas actually derives from a different kind of tale. Let’s learn about St. Nicholas and what this day is truly about.

HOW TO CELEBRATE YOURSELF

Have a feast!

St. Nicholas day is also commonly known as the Feast of St. Nicholas, and it’s widely celebrated in Europe. To celebrate December 6, have a feast with your family and friends. There’s nothing wrong with splurging on some food for a day.

Help someone in need

Just like St. Nicholas was known to do, a great way to celebrate this day is to follow in his footsteps and help someone in need. Donate to an organization helping others, give money to someone in need, or help a friend or family member.

Decorate your own stocking or special St. Nicholas boot.

This would make for a great decoration around St. Nicholas Day. Buy a pair of cheap boots or DIY an old pair and turn them into a unique decoration to sit in front of your fireplace for St. Nicholas Day.

Day 5

 

The Living Crib

St. Francis of Assisi, c. 1182-1226



In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi traditionally created with the first "crèche," or life-sized Nativity scene. There, he and others sang some of the first carols, that is songs sun to lively music, with a series of verses punctuated by a refrain, and ring or round dancing. In part, these songs in the vernacular were intended as preaching aids, and went well beyond the Nativity, a tendency which would grow as the centuries past.

Day 4 

The word Advent comes from the Latin, adventus meaning “coming”

Maranatha is Aramaic - Come Lord Jesus
 

HOPE

 The first week of Advent is about hope, and haven’t we all needed some of that this year?

In the midst of difficulties, it is helplessness that we first encounter, whether we rage or submit to the worldly conditions around us, as painful as they often are. But Christian hope is beyond the world.

We have a sure hope in the Lord, and we can face the world because we know that God is ultimately the one in charge.



In this first week of advent, we start to wait in the darkness for the true light to come into the world. We might have only one candle for now, but we also have the confidence that, if we put even a little hope in him, God will do great things.

Frederique Gill

Extract from Advent Reflections,
Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

Day 3

 

Preparing for Christmas, German Style

Many families in Germany put an Advent wreath on the living room table the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The wreaths have four large candles and, traditionally, pinecones and berries. As lights are dimmed, the whole family gathers around the wreath. As one, they spend a quiet, reflective hour together.

Day 2 

 Today we are all singing Jingle Bells! Please join in!

Day 1

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.