BH Bulletin - Thursday 17 December 2020

Thought for the Day by Rich Arnold
​(Youth and Families Minister at Holy Cross)

Luke 1:46-69
And Mary said, 
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
     For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name." 

Sadly,  singing isn't on the menu for Christmas this year, and no doubt that will seem strange to us (a carol service... without carols?).  Sure, God's people have always sung: Moses led sung worship after crossing Red Sea; Hannah sung praise to God when giving Samuel to Eli; David regularly sang songs; when the temple was built the people rejoiced in song.  For God's people, singing is for life, not just for Christmas, and yet we will perhaps feel the lack of it even more acutely during the festive season than we have the rest of the year.   That is probably because this is a time of great joy, and singing is a natural expression of that (and also because we love a good carol!).  However, we need not be less joyful just because we can't join in with the singing.  The wonder, excitement, hope and beauty of the coming of Christ can (and should) still warm our hearts and be cause for much rejoicing.

We will see more of this on Sunday, but when we open up one of the most famous songs in the bible - Mary's song (the 'Magnificat') - it is striking how joyful she is.  Here is a young, teenage girl whose life is turned upside down. In that culture her pregnancy out of wedlock could have meant being kicked out of her home, shunned by her friends, despised by her community, and ditched by her husband to be.  And yet she responds with joy! She rejoices in God her saviour.  She rejoices that God has chosen to use her.  She rejoices in God's character.  She rejoices in what God has done for her.  

We mustn't elevate Mary to a special status (after all she too knows she is a sinner in need of a saviour) but we can learn from her.  She gives us a great example of how to respond to the coming of the Christ.  Pray that God will help you to 'be more Mary.'  We might not be able to join in with her singing, but we can join in her joy.  
 
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
 
Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
 
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
 
Rich

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A Few Grains of Truth by Ian Barclay

Please see the video below for a review of Ian Barclay's new book by Phil Moon which has just arrived. 
​
If you would like to purchase a copy please email the office (office@bhmc.org.uk) and forward £5.00 direct to the BH bank account 40.52.40 Account no. 00016162. 
If this is not possible please forward a cheque in f/o Bishop Hannington Memorial Church to the office.

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Christmas Baubles reminder by Laura Thaxter

Time is running out to get your Christmas Baubles into the Church office - last date this Friday!! 

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​Aldrington CE Primary School
​Proposed Admissions Arrangements for 2022-2023

You may be interested to know that there's a consultation going on at present about admissions criteria  for Aldrington for 2022-23. The relevant paperwork is on the school website, see link below: 
www.aldrington.org/Admission-Arrangements-Consultation-2022-23/

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