Traditional Christian Christmas
Local authorities should celebrate Christmas in the traditional Christian way and stop worrying about the PC brigade, said Communities Secretary Eric Pickles. He called for an end to ‘Christianophobia’. Mr Pickles said councils should stop introducing ‘politically correct’ versions of Christmas such as ‘Winterval’, which combines secular and inter-faith religious elements. The Communities Secretary called for councils to take pride in British Christian heritage by celebrating the nativity and all the traditions surrounding it. He said: ‘We should actively celebrate the Christian basis of Christmas, and not allow politically correct Grinches to marginalise Christianity and the birth of Christ. The war on Christmas is over, and the likes of Winterval, Winter Lights and Luminous deserve to be in the dustbin of history’. John Midgely, founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said ‘It is absolutely right in our country that Christmas should be celebrated and it does not cause offence to other religions’.
Pray: for local authorities and councils to have the courage and confidence to celebrate a Christian Christmas. (2Co.3:4)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/celebrate-traditional-christian-christmas-says-govt-minister/
Day of prayer for Ireland
Christians from different churches in Ireland have felt drawn to join together to issue a call for prayer for their nation at this time. Ireland is undergoing a period of economic, political and social upheaval, shaking the very fabric of its society. In the midst of this upheaval Christians are calling for prayer to seek God’s help in a very definite way, and meeting to ask God for His intervention. They have invited churches to plan events and gatherings for prayer. Join with them on Friday the 3rd December 2010, to pray for Ireland. They are asking people to pray individually at home, in groups, at special church services, at work, at school, in colleges, wherever. They suggest that times of prayer can be short or long, using favourite forms of prayer, or at a church service, mass, bible study etc.
Pray: for the Lord to help Ireland in response to their day of prayer. (2Ch.6:19)
More: http://www.irishchristians.ie/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=13:a-day-of-prayer-for-ireland
Christmas and credit
Christians Against Poverty is urging people not to give into the temptation of taking a loan to cover the cost of their Christmas celebrations. The debt counselling charity says it is not out to kill the festive season but that it wants people to have a clear spending strategy to see them safely into the New Year. Chief Executive Matt Barlow believes such a strategy is wise as yet more economic uncertainty looms on the horizon. ‘These are difficult times for a lot of us and the temptation is to say 'at least we’ll have a great Christmas' and use that as an excuse to spend what we haven’t got,’ he said. The charity has released its top ten tips for avoiding festive debt. These include being honest with family members if things are tight, not buying gifts for others out of obligation, and clubbing together with relatives to buy the kids’ presents.
Pray: for Christmas to be a simple, honest celebration of Jesus’ birth rather one of financial excess. (Pr.1:3)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/dont.do.christmas.on.credit.debt.charity.warns/27142.htm
God’s big society
The new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, has issued an Advent challenge – make a difference with ‘God’s big society’. Bishop Stephen is one of the authors of Church House Publishing’s 2010 Advent book Ready Steady Slow, which includes contributions from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Preaching at his installation service the day before Advent Sunday, in Chelmsford Cathedral, Bishop Stephen said: ‘If we live prayerful, faithful lives, if we shine with the light of the risen Christ, then our world will be changed. For God’s big society is made up of a thousand little deeds of sacrifice and kindness.’ The pocket-sized Ready Steady Slow urges readers to take five minutes to change the world by following the daily ‘tread gently’ challenges. Examples include making your own compost, taking a go-slow coffee break, having a paperless party and slowing down on the roads. All the challenges are accompanied by a reflection and prayer.
Pray: for a huge response to this initiative and that it will contribute to a positive change in the world. (Php.4:5)
