REV Alison Richardson led the service at Crediton Methodist Church on Christmas Day.

Alison gave a light-hearted account of the nativity story with the congregation saying, when prompted: "I knew this would happen".

Like us, people have heard the story for 2,000 years.

Wherever it is remembered and in whatever language, the message of the angels is "Glory to God and peace on earth".

We watched a short video entitled: "There is Room".  Love is all around and we are loved. God is not apart but right here with us when we welcome a stranger.

Alison spoke about the Warm Spaces initiative organised by the Town Council and taken up by all the churches in the town.

She said the Holy Spirit is guiding conversations and we need to make more of these opportunities to serve the community. 

In Jesus, God found room in a place of humility and poverty. The angels visited humble shepherds in a cold dark field.

These were people working hard for a low wage and who were not religious insiders and classed somewhat as outsiders.

They were the first to hear the good news that God’s Son was born for all people, including them and including us now. There is room for everyone.

Bronwyn Nott

The Methodist Church will offering tea and coffee and a warm space on Fridays between 10am and 12 noon. Entrance will be down the steps to the left of the church – not via the entrance from the car park.

On Saturdays there will be coffee in the Church from 10am to 11.30am.  You are welcome to come for a coffee and chat in the warm.