Faith Goes Walkabout

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Christmas

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On December 24, 2022

In Christmas, church seasons

 

Christmas and so many years ago Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. The shepherds on the hillside were the first visitors. The Magi came from the east as they followed the star. Why didn’t he appear amongst wealth and fortune like other kings?
He was born to be amongst us, to be with all people, and especially for those most in need.
And one of the best things to do this Christmas is in some way to remember and help people where life is hard.
So turn on the lights, eat the mince pies, deck the hall with bows of holly but don’t forget what it’s really about. Happy Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas is Coming!

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On December 20, 2022

In Christmas, church seasons, Faith goes walkabout

St Mary’s East Walton, West Norfolk

The last of the shopping, the final decorations, how many more lights can we have?

Watching the night skies when it has been so cold and the night skies have shimmered with stars have been amazing. Jupiter has been shining bright in the evening sky. How much brighter it would have shone on that Christmas Eve before Jesus was born as it moved towards an alignment with Saturn and the star Regulus.

A time for awe and wonder, a time to experience how large is the universe and how small our part plays, but yet for each one of us we are important to God.

Mary and Joseph would have been approaching Bethlehem so many years ago, the city would have been seen under the same sparkling sky.

Let’s journey together under the same starry skies.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Christmas – 2021!

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On December 23, 2021

In Christmas, Faith goes walkabout

Christmas at Ely

A time of  festivity, of giving, a time of love and laughter, of friendship and togetherness.

Twinkling lights in the midst of darkness, presents and gifts, trees brought in the house and traditions to mark this special time.

Christmas, the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Son of God into the world.
Christ among us.

The story of the Nativity, the journey of Mary and Joseph, the manger and the stable, the shepherds on the hillside, the wise men travelling from afar.

The brightest of stars marking the place where Jesus lay in Bethlehem.

But why did he come to us? Why didn’t he appear amongst wealth and fortune like other kings?

Read more… Christmas 

Advent 4 Mary and Elizabeth

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On December 21, 2020

In Advent, Christmas

The light shines in the darknessDoes this seem a particularly dark and gloomy time of year? Or is it just me?

More than ever  we need the light of the world to come among us. If He could also stop all the messages about Covid and let us reflect on what is important at Christmas, that would be wonderful too.

On the last Sunday before Advent, in our readings, Angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth and following her news, Mary travels a considerable distance to see her cousin Elizabeth, also expecting her first child.

A real sign of hope when it was so needed.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and returned home to her parents and her betrothed husband Joseph. Such courage and real strength.

This Christmas, 2020, we can still hope, we can light the candles, we can decorate the tree and know that whatever happens God loves us forever.

Read more in Sermons 2020

 

Rev’d Sue Martin

 

Shepherds, Sheep and Angels

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On December 12, 2020

In Advent, Christmas, Faith goes walkabout

Shepherds, Sheep and Angels,

Advent 3

Isaiah 7: 1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Christmas Journeys

Advent is the season we are well into now and looking forward to Christmas, only 12 days to go! Still time to do all those unimaginable jobs that need to be done, or if you are anything like me, still time to make the mince pies and finish the shopping.

But let’s first of all slow down the advent season and take a little time to look inwards and at our hopes and fears for the years ahead,to look outwards at a world in need of hope, both in this country and abroad and to look towards God for his direction and love.

Even in the midst of this pandemic there are signs of joy as the Advent third candle is lit.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Happy Christmas

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On December 26, 2018

In Christmas, church seasons, community, Faith goes walkabout

And all the bells on earth shall ring

On Christmas Day

On Christmas Day

And all the bells on earth shall ring on Christmas Day

In the Morning

Happy Christmas to All

Rev’d Sue Martin

 

Advent and only a few days to go…

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On December 20, 2017

In Advent

Sitting at the computer and knowing the daylight will soon be going, even though it is only 2.00pm, brings thoughts to mind of all those without a warm home.

A world full of anguish and uncertain futures.

I have just visited a parishioner, Pearl, who I should have seen much sooner. She lives on her own and wanted to pray for all those who are on their own over Christmas. Her family are close but her life has become lonely.

 

A prayer…

Close the door of hate, and open the door

Of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Happy Christmas

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On December 26, 2015

In Christmas, church seasons

nativity sceneChristmas Day and all is well.

Stockings and presents full to bursting, happy children with new gifts and surprises.

Families united and back to their homes.

A joining together of family, friends and those we love.

But above all the arrival of Jesus born to Mary over 2000 years ago, Son of God, born for us. Shepherds, angels and the Magi arrive at the stable and bring their welcome to this new King.

Not what they were expecting at all.

But then life is seldom what we expect. We can all have that great joy by taking into our hearts, the lives and souls of all those we meet this day and every day.

Happy Christmas

Rev’d Sue Martinbauble

Christmas Eve

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On December 24, 2014

In church seasons

mary & Joseph

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all should be registered.

All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver the child. And she gave birth to her first born son and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because their was no room for them at the inn.

Luke 2:1-8

New Year and Epiphany

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On January 6, 2012

In church seasons, theological

 

3 wise men

 

January 6th and twelfth night means that the season of Christmas is finished for now.

 

Epiphany starts with the story of the Three Wise Men. Travelling across the desert and following the star, what a wonderful story.

 

Decorations down, Christmas trees put away or taken outside, tinsel and cards put into little boxes.

But we can’t do that with Christmas! It’s here for good!

The good news lasts forever.

When the winter continues and the days remain dark for a little longer yet, think back to all those messages of hope and light coming into the world…Jesus with us.

Rev’d Sue Martin

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