REV Alison Richardson led the Christmas Eve morning service on Sunday, December 24. Her theme was "miracles".  The Christmas story is one divine miracle. 

Miracles are happening all around us and it is not just up to us to share the good news and tell people about Jesus. More and more people are coming to hear of Jesus as God is working all over the world with modern day miracles.

The reading from Luke 1 foretold the birth of Jesus and how Mary learned that she would give birth to the Christ-child. "No word from God will ever fail”.

The miracle is that the Christmas story has lasted 2,000 years and always will. The miraculous happening was heaven and earth meeting in the form of a tiny baby – love came down at Christmas.

Alison spoke of old and new fashions. The old fashioned story of the nativity that we know so well is fine for church-goers. However, unchurched people need to hear through modern language and we listened to "Blinded by Your Grace" sung by Stormzy who is reaching out to many young people.  The miracle is that people are being touched by the grace of God.

We may think of ourselves as content but stronger faith grows the more content we become. We should give thanks for what we have and enjoy it and become content.

God is reaching out and the Holy Spirit is moving and the story of Christ’s birth is resounding all over the world.

Helen Steiner Rice’s poem "The Christmas Guest" was read out and a dramatised reading of the poem "The Christmas Tree" was read where various decorations are brought to dress what was a bare tree.

Bells, a globe of the world, Santa, an angel, a heart, tinsel, a star and lights decorated the tree – each one has a specific meaning and we were encouraged to remember their message and to keep Christmas all year round.

Alison led a service at 11.30pm when we held a midnight Communion Service using a "Feast of the Christ-child" liturgy from Iona.

Rev Jeanette Richardson led the service on Christmas morning when she spoke about travelling at Christmas.  Mary and Joseph had travelled 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the shepherds had probably only travelled a few miles from their fields whilst the Magi had travelled some 800 miles. How far would we travel to meet with Jesus? 

Bronwyn Nott