Christingle Service 2016
It seems to be one of those basic human instincts: the desire, and even the need, to be with the people we most treasure, especially at the significant moments or episodes of life.
When two people first fall in love, it hardly matters what they do together; it’s the being with each other that’s all-important. The ‘be with’ factor is so strong that they can hardly let go of one another or lose eye contact.
At major birthdays or anniversaries, the nearest and dearest are all invited to come to be with the one celebrating. The party just wouldn’t be a party without them.
I’ve seen it countless times as the end of life approaches; the family strains every muscle to stay in the company of their loved one for every last day, every last hour and minute and second, right up to the point where death prevents them from being with one another any more.
It seems that we’re not alone in our longing to be with others. When Joseph was wrestling with the knowledge that Mary was pregnant, even though they’d had no sexual relations, God showed Joseph that the child to be born would fulfil the ancient prophecy of a child born to a virgin – a child named Jesus.
It seems this urge to be with others is a Godly thing. The claim of the Bible is that Jesus was truly God in person, God present among us, alongside us. Christmas reveals something quite wonderful about God – he has the same longing to be with those whom he loves. Jesus was also called Emmanuel and lived to fully express the meaning of his name: God-with-us.
This edition of Bowdon Church News has details of all our services and celebrations over the Christmas season. We’d be delighted if you would come to be with us to worship Emmanuel.
Ian Rumsey, Vicar