Boxing Day Blah
One of my favourite Christmas artworks is a painting called The Nativity by contemporary artist Brian Kershisnick. The first thing that strikes you is the hundreds of angels swooping across the canvas to get their first glimpse of Mary’s new-born son. After this your eye falls on two delightful details—first, that it isn’t Mary or
Stormzy, Coldplay and Kanye Reached for the Light this Year. This Christmas, We Can Too
British rapper Stormzy turns Glastonbury festival into a worship service. Kanye West announces Jesus is his king. Coldplay hope for a world of peace and perfection. It's been a fascinating year in music. In a world growing more secular by the day, spiritual longing keeps breaking through - a longing Christmas fulfils. The Light of
What Was That First Christmas Like? This Might Give Us a Clue
I was struck with wonder recently on a cold, rainy night in London, when I came across a dozen angels—made of thousands of pulsing lights, hovering above Regent Street. It’s the most jaw-dropping Christmas display I’ve seen. It got me thinking about what that very first Christmas was like, and the sense of awe that’s
The Risk Worth Taking (by Christina Hubbard)
In this touching guest post, US writer Christina Hubbard shares her risky experiment of bringing estranged family members together for Christmas at her home. "What I feared was our history of back-handed hurtful comments," she writes. "As I made preparations, I questioned if opening my home and my heart to this family of strangers would
This Christmas Child
'Watch him. Watch this child, who grows into a boy, who grows into a man, and is found to be so much more. Watch as he is born—with angelic visitations and bright lights in the sky. Watch as he grows—in favour and stature, and pursues his calling from heaven.' As 2014 ends, I wish you
Advent: A Window on Our Lives
The period leading up to Christmas is traditionally called Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation as we 'wait' for the Messiah's birth and prepare for his promised return one day. A recent experience helped me see that Advent also reflects the whole of our lives.
027 The Wise Men of Christmas and Your Spirituality
The story of the Wise Men following a star to find the Christ child is one of the most retold stories at Christmas time. And for good reason. Beyond being a nice tale, it be a paradigm for the discovery of a rich spiritual life.
Look Beyond the Pain to the Victory
In the crumbling medieval church of North Yorkshire's Mount Grace Priory stands a striking piece of artwork – the Madonna Of The Cross. Crafted by the sculptor Malcolm Brocklesby in 1996, the piece invites us to ask some hard questions about our lives and callings.
The Sacred Heart of Sacre-Coeur
For me, one of the great tragedies of modern life is that one can visit a cathedral and not be moved. We visit these grand places of worship, marvel at the architecture, admire the artworks and look at the pretty flickering candles but feel little more than admiration. I have experienced this many a time.