BH Bulletin - Wednesday 16 December 2020

Thought for the Day by Ben Martin (Curate)

​I love Nativities. I love everything about them. When Morag was teaching it was her job to run the school nativity and they were always fantastic. I love seeing the Angel Gabriel try to out perform Mary because that is the role she really wanted. I love seeing children walk behind another child dressed in a donkey outfit while another bangs together some coconuts. I love the tea towels and the dressing gowns that are worn by shepherds and inn keepers alike.

But while all those moments raise a smile, there is one moment that can draw a tear. And it’s when Mary is given the baby. Usually she looks after for it for a minute but then before long she will drop it on its head or just swing round it like it were a doll (because of course that is what it is). 

But why does that draw a tear?

Because when I remember that this baby is the one who made the stars in the sky. This baby is the one who holds all creation together. This baby is the one who was wrapped in light and was seated in the glories of heaven.

And now, this baby stooped so low. This baby became wrapped in human flesh. This baby entrusted himself to a teenage mother who was at the bottom of the social scale.
I love nativities because it would be safer to give a real baby to primary school children than it would have been for God to give himself to humanity.
But that is what happened at Christmas. 
​
And he did that for you and for me.
I love nativities because I love Jesus.
Jesus who… ‘made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:7-8) 
Happy Christmas.
Ben

---

---

A reminder - Cameo Carol Service - Tomorrow

​

​

---

---

New Arrival - James William Gage

​Just in case you missed it, James was born on Friday evening at 7.30, weighing in at 7lb. Everyone's doing well, and we're all thanking God for a safe arrival!

---