Merry Christmas Everyone!

This wee post is to wish you a fantastic Christmas Day and joy and peace for 2010.

Today I led the Christingle service; the regular folk from our own church were definitely the minority as relatives brought their younger loved ones and friends and neighbours. There were LOADS and LOADS of visitors from our local school, which is great as a bunch of folk are praying for it. In the past 2 years the prayer meeting for the local school has gone from 2 to 3 parents to 12 to 14.

The great news about the Christingle, apart from Jesus of course, is that no-one was burned (lit candles, under 10s and narrow pews - recipe for disaster) and the church building remains intact as about 200 Christingles were lit. Mind you, the silk strips to aid younger ones to move and dance in worship to "Shine Jesus Shine" (I love to resurrect!!) were not intended for garroting and at one point, unseen by any other eyes, I removed a bright orange bandana from the baby Jesus' head in the manger.

Last weekend was the all age nativity service focussing on hope - the Christmas story is increasingly relevent to a world that seeks answers, I feel.

Tomorrow I am speaking briefly at our Christmas morning service then eight days off to relax - yayyy!

Really looking forward to spending time with friends and family. Blessings, all!