The space in my diary has created time and energy to think differently about this year and how to share that good news of Jesus coming amongst us. Our front doors may be closed but we can think imaginatively about how to be generous, to bless our neighbours and to give in this extraordinary time.
We would like to pass on a HUGE thank you to everyone who gave in our MISSION: Christmas Appeal.
Your generosity has meant that we have been able to raise an incredible total of £440,800! This means we were able to give £200 additional support to over 2000 of our full-time Christian Workers.
It’s that time again, the office party or works’ dinner out looms, and someone has come up with the bright scheme of having a Secret Santa. The idea (in case you are unfamiliar) is that each person in the organisation buys a gift for one other person, whose name is drawn randomly from a top hat, if done properly, but an old Jiffy bag if not. The end result is that everyone receives a present at the event, with no one left out.
What if we chose joy during Advent by choosing Jesus first? And what if we continued making that choice beyond Christmas; a daily conscious decision that flies in the face of whatever lays ahead?
What makes the difference between blessing and spoiling our kids at Christmas? Is it really about the number of shiny boxes under the tree?
I stagger away from the shopping frenzy that is Leeds city centre in the run-up to Christmas. I’m burdened with own-label shopping bags indiscreetly disclosing my buying habits. I stumble awkwardly over the outstretched hand of a beggar and realise that I have been sidestepping other anonymous outstretched hands at intervals all along the precinct.
Think of Advent and what springs to mind? Angels and shepherds? The journey of the magi? Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem? But what about the prophets?
Christmas is coming, and whether or not you’re the sort of person who has everything organised and check-listed to within an inch of its life, Christmas is a God-given opportunity in countless ways.
10 hints to make each shopping day a joy and 5 tips for staying cheerful.
Sometimes just you have to admit defeat. For me, many of those times seem to come around Christmas. The whole month is a blur of work, school, church, carol concerts, school concerts, work dos, decorating, cleaning and preparing for and hosting visiting family. I learnt long ago that I was powerless to stop it.
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
Registered office: 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB
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