DECEMBER
2017
MIRANDA HART
SUCH
FUN!
Sky Sports
SIMON THOMAS Living the dream
Massive Christmas hamper giveaway
Prizes worth £2,300 to be won
Give hope with
musthavegifts musthavegifts.org 0800 633 5331
World Vision is the world’s largest international children’s charity. Every day we bring real hope to millions of children in the world’s hardest places as a sign of God’s unconditional love. World Vision UK is a charity registered in England (no. 285908). Photo: Bernardet, 5, Zambia © 2017 World Vision
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CONTENTS WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS HOPE
4 Miranda Hart – Such Fun! Britain’s queen of comedy reveals her serious side 6 Christmas Lunch on Jesus Meet the team packing 2,400 Christmas lunch hampers
Christmas HOPE is a gift from your local church packed with stories to encourage, inform and inspire you. You will find a common theme running through many of the articles. They point to the hope people find when they get to know Jesus. Jesus was born 2,000 years ago in a town in the Middle East called Bethlehem. On pages 13-16 you can read about the journeys people made to Bethlehem then, and about the greatest journey ever made. The story is written in rhyme for children – but it is true for anyone of any age. People today find the hope they need for living when they get to know Jesus – not just as a baby born in Bethlehem, but as God who gives a fresh start in life to anyone who asks. You can find out more about Jesus from the person who gave you this magazine, your local church or from Christianity.org.uk. Have a great Christmas and a hope-filled New Year Roy Crowne Executive Director, HOPE
Christmas HOPE is published by HOPE in partnership with Hope for Every Home. Visit christmashope.org to watch videos linked to features in the magazine, win The Entertainer’s Top 10 Toys, apply for giveaways worth £1,000, download the Christmas quiz questions, and find out more about Jesus Christ.
8 Toy Story Meet the man behind the multi-million pound Entertainer toy shops 10 Win The Entertainer’s Top 10 Toys Answer five questions and you could be a winner 12 4 Great Giveaways for £1,000+ Bag an inspiring book or CD 13 The Greatest Journey Follow four journeys to Bethlehem and add your own sound effects! 17 Living the Dream Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas on some highs and lows in his TV career 20 Don’t Look Back in Anger Looking for signs of hope in the horrors of 2017 23 A New Deal Read Ashley Nixon’s story of finding hope in prison 26 Christmas Quiz Festive questions from comedian Paul Kerensa
Editor: Catherine Butcher Email: editor@christmashope.org Designer: Dan Nolloth Print & distribution: CPO Cover photos: Splash News / Alamy Stock Photo, Guy Bell/REX/ Shutterstock Publishers: HOPE, 8A Market Place, Rugby, CV21 3DU
Tel: 01788 542782 Copyright: HOPE 2017 Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement. Hope 08 Ltd Registered Company No 05801431 Registered Charity No 1116005
FSC HERE
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MIRANDA HART – SUCH FUN! BRITAIN’S QUEEN OF COMEDY REVEALS HER SERIOUS SIDE
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alling flat on her face at every turn, actress and comedian Miranda Hart loves to make people laugh. The sitcom star has perfected the art of slapstick, and has also turned her hand to musicals, more serious drama and writing books. True to the publicity for one of her early shows: ‘Miranda doesn’t fit in! She was born into an upper-class background, she’s 6 ft 1, and she finds it hard to feel feminine.’ The gangly onscreen persona covers an off-screen introvert who enjoys her own company and is comfortable in her own skin. Miranda Hart is best known for her hugely successful sitcom Miranda which ran for four series on BBC 1 and earned her a clutch of top awards. Her performance as Chummy in the BBC drama series Call the Midwife also earned her a BAFTA nomination, and Spy, her first movie alongside Melissa McCarthy, was a box office hit. Her success has been hard-won. Before her first TV break, she spent ten years paying the bills with office jobs while doing stand-up and sketch shows at the Edinburgh Festival and on the London comedy circuit. Her first TV role in sci-fi sitcom Hyperdrive was noticed by fellow comedy writer Paul Kerensa and led to a role in Not Going Out with actor Lee Mack. Her own sitcom Miranda was commissioned in 2009. Miranda was 26 before she admitted that she wanted to get into comedy. ‘Even though the dream seemed further and further away as I trundled through my twenties and early thirties in offices, I kept at it. In her semi-autobiographical book, Is It Just Me? she advises her teenage self: ‘If there’s something you want to do, and if you have any kind of basic skill or talent in that direction, please, please, please do it.’ ‘Life may not be easy… Things go wrong and it can be very tough… But if you follow your dream, your hearts’ desire, you will always be moving in the right direction, however much you
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Miranda Hart, Jessica Raine, and Bryony Hannah in Call the Midwife
Patricia Hodge and Miranda Hart in the sitcom Miranda
come a cropper on a beach, or in a hairdresser, or at a wedding. ‘The amazing thing is, for all that might not be quite right in my life, I do have my dream career… This will never cease to amaze me. I did old sketches by heroes like The Two Ronnies, Victoria Wood and French and Saunders in village halls, and now I’ve actually met them.’ In an interview with Rev Nicky Gumbel at the Alpha International Leadership Conference in London’s Royal Albert Hall she described her ‘inner critic that makes you feel “I am not worthy”. It stopped me living a number of dreams including desperately wanting to be in musical theatre. I have such a strong passion for it. It makes my heart skip.’ Earlier this year she achieved her dream, starring in the musical Annie. She says she took the role ‘not just for me, but for all the people out there who have an inner critic’. For Miranda that inner critic said ‘I can’t sing… that can’t be done because I’m in this silly body that’s overweight and 6ft 1 with limbs going everywhere.’ In her characteristically self-deprecating style she said she has overcome the inner critic. ‘I walk into rehearsals and I belt out my number and I don’t care that I sound like a drowning hippo if I do. I’m walking into freedom with this show. ‘It makes me emotional because there are so many people with these big visions, who have this inner critic who think “I couldn’t possibly do that. That’s not
Annie the for me.”’ Musical at She describes the Piccadilly taking an Theatre inventory of her life to find her purpose, asking ‘Why am I doing my job?’ ‘I wanted to do it because I wanted to make people laugh. In any acting role or writing I do, I want to bring warmth and authenticity and show vulnerability because I want to connect with people in their living rooms through the television. I want people to not feel alone; to feel understood.’ Drawing on the lessons she has learned she now uses her fame to champion young people who need support to get a start in life. Miranda is patron of Spear, a church-based charity which gets 16 to 24 year olds into work. ‘Seeing their sense of purpose and
sense of worth is so exciting. It makes me cry every time I see somebody come back into hope.’ But in case the serious side of Miranda gets the upper hand, her interview with Nicky Gumbel ends as she persuades the vicar to join her in an equine gallop. As always, Miranda gets the last laugh. Alamy Stock Photos: Everett Collection Inc / Benjamin John / JEP Celebrity Photos Melissa McCarthy and Miranda Hart at the European premiere of Spy
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CHRISTMAS LUNCH ON JESUS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL ENJOY A FESTIVE MEAL THIS CHRISTMAS THANKS TO A CHURCH PROJECT STARTED IN LONDON’S BRENT CROSS
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or most people the Christmas season means time with family and friends, exchanging gifts and enjoying a festive meal together. But for some people, the Christmas holiday is not such a joyful experience. Many people do not have the financial resources to meet day-today needs, so a festive meal is beyond their budget. Since 2007, churches have been offering a free festive hamper worth £50 to people who are struggling financially. They call it ‘Christmas Lunch on Jesus’. Last year 2,400 ‘Christmas Lunch on Jesus’ hampers were packed and delivered by 311 people in Barnet, Thamesmead, Northampton, Merton, Southwark, Brent, Croydon, St Albans, Enfield, Dudley, Hatfield, High Barnet and Luton. Photos: Jesus House/ christmaslunchonjesus.com The hampers include all the traditional Christmas goodies: a ‘TO SEE THE JOY AND GRATITUDE turkey, stuffing, carrots, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, gravy, ON PEOPLE’S FACES IS A GREAT Christmas pudding, chocolates and non-alcoholic wine. For the THRILL’ CLLR ALISON CORNELIUS churches involved, it’s simply a way to celebrate God’s gift of Jesus to the world. call it “Christmas Lunch on Ado Adedoyin is head of Community Action at Jesus Jesus,” we don’t limit these House, the church in Brent Cross where the project first gift hampers to Christians started. He says, ‘Because we’ve been given so much, we or people of any particular want to give to those who desperately need it. While we religion or faith. We just want to share God’s love in a tangible way. We hope to grow across the UK over the next few years.’ The Rev Simon Rea from St Peter’s Church, Stonegrove, Edgware, said, ‘With the recession starting to affect more and more homes, this initiative is a real blessing for thousands of people young and old across the borough. It’s also a real blessing for all the volunteers from the churches involved, and a sign of unity across denominations thanks to the gracious generosity of Jesus House, who started the initiative.’ Alison Cornelius, a local councillor in Barnet, who has helped with the deliveries, says, ‘To see the joy and gratitude on people’s faces is a great, great thrill before Christmas.’ Find out more at christmaslunchonjesus.com
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My greatest adventure
Watch Bear's story Alpha.org www.christmasHOPE.org
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TOY STORY MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE MULTI-MILLION POUND ENTERTAINER TOY SHOPS
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hristmas Eve is the busiest day of the year for most toy shops. But this year staff won’t be working in one of Britain’s most successful high street toy shop chains. They’ve a day off work to prepare for Christmas with their own families. Why? Because Christmas Eve 2017 falls on a Sunday and The Entertainer toy shops don’t open on any Sunday – even when it’s the busiest trading day of the toy shop’s year. It’s a decision that some see as commercial madness, but for Gary Grant and his wife Catherine, who started The Entertainer toy shops, Sundays are special. He would rather his staff had time off to spend with their families.
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The way Gary Grant runs his family business doesn’t always seem to make commercial sense. He gives away 10% of profits to charity. When rival store Woolworths was forced to close, Gary invited his senior staff to pray with him for Woolworths’ staff, for their own business weathering the recession, and for the government as it sought to steer the economy away from crisis. His Christian faith, common sense and hard work are key factors undergirding Gary Grant’s business, which has grown from one shop in Amersham (pictured) to 140 stores employing 2,000 people in stores and online. Born in Wembley, his parents divorced when he
handle 7-8% of the UK toy trade. ‘The first 10 years we made money however we could,’ he says. Then in 1991 he had what he calls ‘a life changing experience’. His wife had been going to church for years, and bought him a ticket for a men’s breakfast at her church. was just three. It wasn’t easy for his ‘I went along and heard a mum to make ends meet, so Gary preacher talk about a relationship he earned his pocket money sweeping had with Jesus; how the Holy Spirit neighbours’ leaves, clearing snow, or can influence our lives; guide us; cleaning cars. He worked in a sweet turn things around. I’d done RE at shop, a bike shop and on a milk float school, but the whole religious thing before he left school with one O-level was very remote. It wasn’t a living in maths. ‘That has served me really thing, just something you learned. well,’ he says. No one had ever told me that Jesus The bike shop gave him a job overwhelmingly, unconditionally when he left school. It was the mid loved me.’ 1970s and there was a skateboard The next day, a Sunday, Gary boom. When the market slumped, decided to go back to church to find Gary bought up the surplus stock the preacher. and started his own business on the He sat in the back row but soon side selling skateboard parts. The found himself crying. He doesn’t conflict of interests got him the sack. really know why. By then, he had been married for two ‘An hour later I was still crying but years to Catherine, a nurse. He tried something had dramatically changed. to find a bike shop to start his own I walked out of church that night business, but an realising that God really, really loved estate agent friend ‘I WALKED me. He didn’t like everything I did, suggested a toy but he loved me. God doesn’t shop. Four months OUT OF say “If you change what you do, I’ll later, in May 1981, love you.” He says, “I love you Gary opened his first CHURCH unconditionally.”’ shop. It prompted Gary to re-think ‘We knew nothing THAT NIGHT everything he did. He had three about toys,’ Gary shops at the time and Sunday REALISING trading says. They named was still illegal. When the it The Entertainer, law changed, Gary prayed about THAT GOD what to do and decided not to which gave them the flexibility to change open the shops on Sundays. REALLY, focus if selling toys ‘I value families. Did I really didn’t work out. Now, REALLY want all of my staff working on a 36 years later, they Sunday when it’s often the only have 140 stores and LOVED ME’ day of the week to have a family
meal together?’ Since then countless staff have told him, ‘I took a job here because I could be with my family on Sundays.’ And his landlords tell him he does more trade in six days than competitors do in seven. He also decided not to stock some toys, including Harry Potter and Hallowe’en merchandise. ‘I have to feel comfortable with what we sell’ Gary says. On The Entertainer’s website, the ‘Playground Rules’ set out the company vision and values: ‘We want all our products to inspire and delight children. If we wouldn’t be happy for our own children to play with a product, then you won’t find it on our shelves.’ Gary says, ‘I know I can trust God with the money. I have to do what I feel comfortable doing because I am accountable for my life.’ As well as giving away 10% of profits, The Entertainer staff are encouraged to join a payroll giving scheme to give to a charity of their choice. Also, the company’s Pennies scheme means customers can round up their purchase price to give to charity. Last year The Entertainer staff and customers donated £1.6 million to children’s charities. Looking back to when he became a Christian at 33, Gary says, ‘Why didn’t somebody tell me about Jesus earlier?’ Now he recommends the Alpha course, which gives people space to ask questions about the Christian faith. ‘Many of us spend more time thinking about our pension that we do about eternity,’ he says. ‘Give 10 evenings of your life to consider what Christianity has to say. Find an Alpha course near you.’
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THE ENTERTAINER’S TOP 10 TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS 2017 Fingerlings Glitter Baby Monkey – Exclusive to The Entertainer The Fingerlings Baby Monkeys come to life with over 50 animations to let you know how they feel. Swing them, pet them and kiss them. You can even rock them to sleep!
Hatchimals Surprise Introducing the new Hatchimals Surprise! These magical creatures are hidden inside colourful speckled eggs! Who will YOU hatch?
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3 LOL dolls Peel away the layers of your L.O.L. surprise doll pack to find hidden mysteries that hint at the L.O.L. surprise doll you’re going to get. There are 45 unique characters to collect.
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Paw Patrol Sea Patroller
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Set sail for an ocean adventure in the Paw Patrol Sea Patroller! It’s not just a ship… simply push the top forward to turn the Sea Patroller into a huge land vehicle
Soggy Doggy game Beware of the Soggy Doggy in this actionpacked game of bathing fun! Race around the board washing and showering Soggy Doggy…but watch out, he loves to shake himself dry!
6 7 Liquid Lava Putty You won’t be able to keep your hands off Liquid Lava Putty! Stretch it, squish it or simply let it ooze through your hands. Liquid Lava Putty is super versatile and tons of fun to play with.
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Bush Baby World Tree The Dream Tree is the perfect place to keep your Bush Baby collection. It comes with exclusive Bush Baby Niki and her very own Sleepy Pod!
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Jo Jo Bow maker There are enough accessories in this cool crafts set for you to create 4 JoJo Bows! Simply follow the instructions for brightly coloured bows that JoJo herself would be proud to wear.
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PJ Mask HQ playset Inspired by the Disney Junior superhero animated TV series, this PJ Masks Headquarters Playset lets you join your favourite pyjama-clad protectors for thrilling adventures!
Experimake Science Sets
WIN ONE OF THE ENTERTAINER’S TOP 10 CHRISTMAS TOYS
Answer these five questions and you could win one of The Entertainer’s Top 10 Toys
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Where was Gary Grant born? a) Amersham b) Wembley c) Watford
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What’s the name of one of the charities supported by The Entertainer? a) Pennies b) Pounds c) Pickles
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How many Entertainer stores are there? a) 14 b) 140 c) 1,400
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How much money did The Entertainer’s staff and customers give to children’s charities last year? a) £100,000 b) £1 million c) £1.6 million
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How many of The Entertainer’s clown logos can you find on the pages of Christmas HOPE?
You can enter online at ChristmasHope.org or you can send your answers, with your name and address, to Christmas HOPE, 8A Market Place, Rugby, CV21 3DU. Please indicate which of The Entertainer’s Top 10 Toys you would like to receive if you win.
100 runners up will each receive a £10 Entertainer gift voucher and a copy of The Greatest Journey with illustrations by artist Emma Skerratt and words by Dai Woolridge and Hannah Bunting, published by Bible Society. The closing date is Friday 5th January 2018. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes will be sent to winners by the end of January 2017. It is our policy to ensure that your details will not be disclosed to third parties.
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4 GREAT GIVEAWAYS WORTH £1,000+ BAG AN INSPIRING BOOK OR CD. JUST FILL IN THE FORM BELOW OR ONLINE. YOU COULD BE A WINNER! The Girl with the Lost Smile by Miranda Hart
Hark! The Biography of Christmas by Paul Kerensa
The first children's book from awardwinning, bestselling author and comedian Miranda Hart… a story guaranteed to make you laugh and cry! With fabulous illustrations by Sainsbury's Book of the Year winner, Kate Hindley. Published in hardback by Hachette. 25 books
Award- winning comedy writer Paul Kerensa answers the festive questions you never thought to ask in this new book published by Lion. Did Cromwell help shape the mince pie? Was St Nicholas the first to use an automatic door? And did King Herod really have a wife called Doris? … perfect trivia questions to test the little grey cells this Christmas. 25 books
The Best Christmas Carols Album In The World...Ever!
40 Stories of Hope compiled by Catherine Butcher
Beautifully sung and recorded, this three-disc compilation from Integrity Music features 50 of the best-loved carols. It includes everything from ‘Away In A Manger’ to ‘Once In Royal David’s City’. There’s even a bit of ‘Ding Dong! Merrily On High’ thrown in for good measure. 20 three-disc CDs
This is a collection of 40 remarkable stories from prisoners, ex-prisoners and prison chaplains who speak powerfully about how they have found hope. Published by HOPE and CWR, 40 Stories of HOPE includes a foreword by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, plus prayers and Bible stories about Jesus. 25 books
Title........... Name ............................................... Address ...................................................... .......................................................................................................... Postcode........................ Tel......................................... E-mail.......................................................................................... My choice is: Miranda Hart's The Girl with the Lost Smile
40 Stories of Hope
ark! The Biography of Christmas by Paul H Kerensa
he Best Christmas Carols Album T In The World...Ever!
Please return this form to Christmas HOPE, HOPE 8A Market Place, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3DU or respond online at ChristmasHope.org Closing date: Friday 5th January 2018. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. It is our policy to ensure that your details will not be disclosed to third parties.
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At Christmas we’re celebrating the greatest journey of all - Jesus arriving from heaven to earth. The story of Jesus’ birth is full of journeys from Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem to the wise men following a star. In this version of the story, there are four special journeys that happened over 2,000 years ago. Mary and Joseph, the wise men and even the shepherds all travelled a long way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Today, we can all follow in their footsteps and travel these journeys too.
Right let’s go... you can add your own sound effects!
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There was a couple called Joseph and Mary. They went on a journey, All the way to Bethlehem! We’re going on a journey It’s going to be a long one, All the way to Bethlehem ‘Cos Caesar wants to count us. Uh-oh! Romans! Tall, Scary Romans We can’t jump over them We can’t crawl under them Oh no! We’ll have to walk between them! Stepady-step, walkedy-walk, stepady-step They went together on their journey. Soon they were going to marry. And they were going to be a family, because Mary was having a baby! The time came to have the baby. But where could Joseph and Mary stay?
We’re going on a journey It’s going to be a long one, Got to find a place to stay ‘Cos Mary’s having a baby. Uh-oh! no bed! No comfy, bouncy bed! We can’t stay in a hotel We can’t stay in a spare room Oh no! We’ll have to sleep beside the animals! Ee-aw woof, ee-aw baah! ee-aw neigh
There was no room for them in the inn. So Mary wrapped the baby in strips of cloth. And found a manger to lay him in. An angel appeared to some shepherds. It happened in a field nearby. The angel told them about the baby. So they went to see with their own eyes. We’re going on a journey It’s going to be a long one, An angel came to see us Told us of a saviour, So we’re going to welcome him We’ll find him in a manger. Uh-oh! Sheep poo! Smelly, stinky poo We can’t fly over it We can’t tip toe round it Oh no! We’ll have to... TREAD on it! Tread-squelch, Tread-squelch, Tread-squelch, (UGH!!!)
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Some wise men had seen a star in the sky And knew a king was to be born. So they followed the star They went to worship and adore. We’re going on a journey. It’s going to be a long one, Following the shiny star To worship the baby King, We’ve got loads of presents Gold, Myrrh and Frankincense. Uh-oh! Herod! Mean, nasty Herod We can’t go back to Herod We can’t say where Jesus is. Oh no! We’ll have to leave another way. Humpety-hump, clopaty-clop, humpety-hump.
They rushed to find the baby. And everyone was amazed! It was just as the angel said. And they gave God their praise.
Big brown eyes And big cheeks, Ten tiny toes on two tiny feet
Why it’s Jesus!
Quick – tell everyone!
Going home another way Humpety-hump, clopaty-clop, humpaty-hump. Back through the sheep poo Tread-squelch, tread-squelch, tread-squelch. Saying ‘so long’ to the animals Ee-aw woof, ee-aw baah! ee-aw neigh. Mind the Romans Stepady-step, walkedy-walk, stepady-step And finally we’re home!
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You know, Jesus went on a journey
GREATEST one,
It really was the All the way from Heaven ‘Cos he came to save us,
He came to live on earth with us ‘Cos he loves us very much. He was a child and had to learn things just as we do, only he never did anything wrong! When he grew up he did amazing things. He did many miracles and taught the people about God. He even brought people back from the dead. Only God can do that! And then he was put to death on a cross. He did it because he loved us, and to save us from our sins. But he didn’t stay dead. Now Jesus is alive again! His story hasn’t ended!
Jesus came on a journey. It really is the greatest one!
This story is adapted from The Greatest Journey Christmas story booklet written by Dai Woolridge and Hannah Bunting, illustrated by Emma Skerratt, and published by Bible Society. We have 100 copies to give away as runners’ up prizes in our Entertainer competition on page 11 or you can request a free copy, watch the video, and even download an accompanying ‘no-rehearsal’ nativity play by visiting biblesociety.org.uk/Christmas. Also, you can read the Wise Men’s story in the Bible book written by Matthew, an eye-witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection. The shepherds’ story is also in the Bible, written by Luke, thought to be a first-century doctor.
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Registered charity 232759
LIVING THE DREAM SKY SPORTS PRESENTER SIMON THOMAS ON SOME HIGHS AND LOWS IN HIS TV CAREER
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magine you are sky diving. You’ve just jumped out of the plane at 14,500 feet. You’re dropping to earth at 120mph. But, when you reach 5,500 feet, and pull the cord to open the parachute, nothing happens…. That was Simon Thomas’s experience as a Blue Peter presenter being filmed for the top BBC TV children’s show. ‘It seemed like an eternity,’ he says. His sky diving instructors came to the rescue and, eventually, the parachute opened and he landed safely. But when he came to watch the film footage of the event, he says, ‘My bottle went!’ Although he managed another couple of jumps, he failed the course. Sky diving in the USA for Blue Peter However, when Blue Peter screened Simon’s failure, parents contacted Comedian Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean on Blue Peter, when Simon was one of the presenters alongside Matt Baker and Liz Barker Blue Peter to say how helpful it was to see someone who had not succeeded. A year later he went back to do the jump again to show how he had conquered his fear. ‘All those horrible feelings came flooding back. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. I was brought up as a Christian and I’ve always had that Christian belief that this life is not the only thing – there is eternal life. But what was messing with my head that night was the thought that “If the two bits of fabric and two sets of strings fail, I’m about to find out if this Jesus figure I’ve learned about growing up is true or not.”’
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Simon’s dad was a vicar. ‘We went to church every Sunday. It was part of growing up, but I never ever felt that what my dad believed was being imposed on me.’ As he lay awake the night before the jump, he knew that what he had grown up believing was being tested. The next day he phoned a Christian friend and explained his situation and his fears. His friend prayed on the phone that Simon would know that Jesus is real. Three generations: Simon, with his father and son Shortly afterwards, as Simon was about to cross a road before the sky dive, he looked round to see a young guy who said, ‘I want you to know that Jesus is real and he loves you.’ That unexplained, coincidental encounter gave Simon everything he needed to go ahead with the jump. Simon says, ‘That moment with that guy on the street was really significant for me. And we went back with this really good news story of how you can conquer your fear.’ Sports presenter After leaving the BBC, Simon joined Sky Sports in 2005 and presented Sky Sports News. He then became the lead presenter of Sky Sports’ live Football League coverage, and in 2014 he began presenting live League Cup football. In 2016 he moved to presenting Premier League matches live alongside top pundits such as Graeme Souness, Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry. Commentating on live Premier League matches for Sky Sports brings its own pressures, Simon says. One memorable but stressful occasion was the Norwich City play-off final against Middlesborough at Wembley. Simon has been a life-long Norwich City fan, but he knew he had to present the game impartially; Middlesborough fans would be looking for any signs that he was favouring his own team. ‘It was an amazing but terrifying feeling. You are thinking “Do not get this wrong. It is your team.” Incredible pressure and incredible joy and memories all rolled into one.’ Although Simon has been presenting Sky Sports for 12 years, he says, ‘I still find it terrifying doing it. You are only a sentence or two away from it being a horrible, horrible experience. The job I do is far less important than many people’s jobs. I’m not saving lives. I’m purely helping facilitate a bit of entertainment on a Saturday. It’s not brain surgery, but you do your job in front of people, so if you mess up in the age of social media, nothing gets missed. There is that horrible pressure every time I go to present a match. All those doubts come flooding into your mind: “You’re not good enough. You’re going to mess up today. You’re going to ask a really stupid question. You’re going to forget your lines. You won’t have any work next week.” You don’t have an autocue, you have to remember your script.’
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Simon with sports TV pundits Graeme Souness and Gary Neville
Photos: Simon Thomas / kingsgateuk.com Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock
Simon and his son Ethan
How does he deal with it? He says, ‘My faith is really important in terms of how I prepare myself. Before I go on air, Simon with wife Gemma and son Ethan I take myself off to somewhere quiet – often it’s a toilet – and I pray. My faith is about God walking through life with me; being part of my life, not just on a Sunday when I go to church with the family. My relationship with God is all-encompassing and that includes my work. So I pray “God, all I ask is that today I can do my job to the best of my ability. I know that without God, it’s a whole lot harder.” Asked if fame and living the dream is all that’s needed for fulfilment, Simon says, ‘The buzz I got from being recognized on the street lasted about six months. It’s not about you - the person. They are interested in that persona they see on TV. If you hang onto that, it’s a really empty feeling. ‘For me, what makes sense of everything that I am and everything that I do, is my faith. ‘I worry about all the same things other people worry about. When my Sky contract runs out, what’s life going to look like? How will I pay the mortgage? When I do die, is this story I’ve read about in the Bible actually true? I have these doubts, but when I lock back onto God, everything makes sense again. It doesn’t mean life becomes easy, but what it does mean is that life makes sense.’ Quoting Narnia author CS Lewis he says, ‘Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.’ ‘For me, in my 44 years, it hasn’t been moderately important, it has been everything. The message that comes through the Jesus story is actually it doesn’t matter what you look like. It doesn’t matter if you’ve failed. It doesn’t matter if you’ve messed your marriage up. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a rubbish mum or dad, or whatever. Jesus loves you unconditionally.’
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DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF HOPE IN THE HORRORS OF 2017
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ove casts out fear!’ were the words shouted from the stage at the One Love Manchester fundraising concert following the suicide bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in May. Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford and Sons, led the crowds at One Love Manchester in a poignant silence before launching the evening's entertainment with a soulful rendition of his song ‘Timshel’. After the song Mumford shouted ‘Love casts out fear!’ a direct quotation from the Bible, written 2,000 years ago by John, one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers. The Oasis song ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ became the anthem sung by many after the bombing. At One
Love Manchester, Coldplay and Ariana Grande performed the song, raising funds for the families of the victims. (Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have both ensured their royalties from the song will be donated to the fund.) Commenting on One Love Manchester, Krish Kandiah, founder of the charity Home for Good, wrote a blog for premierchristianity.com which highlights a strong theme throughout the event: the power of love over evil. As well as Marcus Mumford quoting from the Bible, U2’s Bono made a special appearance at the event via video saying: ‘There is no end to grief, that is how we know there is no end to
love.’ The re-formed Black Eyed Peas fronted by Will.I.am performed their hit song ‘Where is the Love?’ The song includes a call to ‘practise what you preach… turn the other cheek’ and at the heart of the song is a repeated prayer for guidance from above, asking the question ‘Where is the love?’. And 24-year-old pop star Justin Bieber, also performing at the event, said: ‘I'm not going to let go of hope. I'm not going to let go of love. I'm not going to let go of God… God is good in the midst of the darkness. God is good in the midst of the evil. God is in the midst, no matter what's happening in the world. God is in the midst and he loves you and he's here for you.’
Marcus Mumford performing at One Love Manchester
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Alamy Stock Photos: WENN Ltd / Michael Barrow. Response Pastors: Ascension Trust
Justin Bieber at One Love Manchester
Response Pastors supporting people after the Grenfell Tower fire
Krish Kandiah said, ‘The final surprise of the night was Liam Gallagher singing Oasis songs, including “Glass Wall” which includes the words “I believe the resurrection’s on, and you were wrong”. As the people of Manchester expressed grief and defiance, there was a very palpable sense of faith in a resurrection. The message of the Bible, that death ultimately is not the end, is the best hope there is in the face of evil and terror. It was a fantastic evening and great credit should go to Ariana Grande, her team and her manager Scooter Braun, who also gave a very moving speech. The event honoured the dead, the wounded and the bereaved, but it also asked a question to us, will we let love cast out fear?’ Away from the limelight the tragedy prompted an outpouring of practical support for people caught up in the horror and the terrible aftermath of the disasters which rocked the nation from March to June this year. The Westminster attack (22 March), the Manchester Arena bombing (22 May) the London Bridge attack (3 June), the Grenfell Tower fire (14 June) and the Finsbury Park Mosque attack (19 June) left more than 100 people dead, many more injured, and more than 150 families homeless. Among the first to help were a group of Response Pastors, invited by the emergency services to give practical support in the immediate aftermath of tragic events. Response Pastors are specially trained teams drawn from the ranks of Street Pastors; Christians who offer reassurance, safety and support through listening, caring and helping, particularly serving the night-time economy helping people get home safely after a night out.
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The minute’s silence for the Street Pastors, victims of the Manchester an initiative of terror attack Ascension Trust, began in London in 2003 with 18 volunteers from local churches. Now there are more than 12,000 Street Pastors, in more than 300 towns and cities in the UK, playing an active part in strengthening community life and working for safer streets. In 2014 experienced Street Pastors began to train for the One of the role of Response Pastors, to provide team said, physical and emotional support in ‘Response Pastors times of crisis; listening, caring and helped many helping alongside other partners to to find a way make communities safer. through the media After the Manchester Arena scrum to lay their bombing, Response Pastors from flowers alongside many parts of the UK joined the local the others in the teams for several days as people growing display came to pay their respects. During of the public’s the week after the tragedy, the response to this Response Pastors were able to share awful tragedy – and to stand with them compassion and hope with many – pray with them. We held many in our people, whilst also assisting where arms as they wept. They had been requested by the police and other through such harrowing experiences.’ authorities. Another Response Pastor said, ‘Many of you may have seen photos on the TV of the mass of floral tributes, but the pictures do not do this justice nor can you sense the atmosphere there. Apart from the flowers the amazing number of candles reminded me of a recent message I listened to that the light of God shines through the darkness and the light always overcomes the darkness. ‘It was such an honour to support loads of people who just wanted to talk: individuals, groups and whole families. On the pavements around the flowers were loads of messages chalked. I watched a young lad write just two simple words “Forever Young” and that’s when I needed the tissues!
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‘[We had] a fantastic response too from the police. It was quite strange to be chatting with them in all their gear, guns ready. It was particularly poignant when we were asked to help when families of the victims were escorted into the square to see the tributes. (The police wanted a lower profile.) No words, just prayer for them and their families; the crowds so silent too except for tears.’ For the people of Manchester, and only weeks later people mourning the losses at Grenfell Tower, Response Pastors were a practical witness to the power of love putting flesh and bones to Justin Bieber’s words: ‘God is good in the midst of the darkness. God is good in the midst of the evil. God is in the midst, no matter what's happening in the world. God is in the midst and he loves you and he's here for you.’
A NEW DEAL ASHLEY NIXON FOUND HOPE IN PRISON. HERE’S HIS STORY
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or as long as I can remember, I had always been a troublemaker – by the time I was 13 I was getting into trouble with the police. I was taking drugs. I’d been arrested for shoplifting. I’d done burglary, arson, criminal damage. There was something about getting into trouble that really excited me. The more I tried to sort myself out, the worse I got. I was selling most drugs in nightclubs. Those places that I wasn’t selling drugs, I made sure I had people selling drugs for me. I started to get noticed by people above me. It wasn’t long before I was selling drugs for them. We were buying drugs from people like the Albanian mafia and we were selling to the likes of Hell’s Angels. I was looking for fulfilment in drugs, in sex, in power, in my status. The only problem is that when you have a status – a reputation – you have to live up to that. You’ve got to do things to make sure people don’t take that from you. Armed The guy that I was selling drugs for phoned me up and told me he’d been attacked by a rival gang. He asked me to go to one of the safe houses and pick up a firearm. I was nervous about what was going to happen. But I went to the safe house and put on a brave front. I picked up a firearm, and I remember leaving the house with the intention to kill. If we’d have found the people we were looking for, I’d have pulled the trigger. Thankfully I never had to do what I thought I was going to have to do. At that point I realised that I desperately needed help. But I couldn’t help myself. As I got into more and more trouble, I ended up in prison… suddenly realising – ‘You’re not a gangster. You’re an idiot. You’ve messed up your life. Now you’ve got to deal with the consequences. You’re in prison.’
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Photos: CVglobal.co / YesHeIs.com
In danger A prisoner who’d been transferred with me started to talk to me about God. I couldn’t understand what I was hearing. Here I was in prison with my life in danger, and this guy wanted to talk to me about God. How could God help me in the situation I’d got myself into? It was a couple of days later that I was walking past the chapel sign-up sheet, and I signed up. For some reason, at that very moment, a sense of peace hit me that I’d never experienced anywhere else before. I remember going back to my cell and saying something along the lines of, ‘God, if you’re out there; if you are who these people say you are, then help me. Whatever I have to do, whatever the cost to me, I am yours. I give my life to you. Please take my life and do with it whatever you want.’
"GOD IF YOU'RE OUT THERE, THEN HELP ME"
Time to change The gang that I was involved with
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were caught in a drugs raid and taken off the streets. The relationships I was in started to break down. This gave me more and more time to work on my relationship with God. I was no longer a drug addict. There was no drugs rehabilitation. No counselling. No replacement therapy. It was just the power of God, his Word and prayer. What I found when I went to church was something different. People were different. They seemed to have a sense of joy about them. They were loving and caring, and they just accepted me for who I was. I’m looking forward to the future. I’m not entirely sure where this journey is going to lead me, but I’m looking forward to seeing where it’s going. My life has changed massively. I’m working with a local youth group trying to encourage them not to make the same mistakes that I made. Ashley told his story to yesheis UK and it features in a new book - 40 Stories of HOPE, one of the giveaways on page 12. The video of Ashley telling his own story is available to watch at ChristmasHope.org •
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CHRISTMAS QUIZ HOW ABOUT A QUIZ TO STIMULATE THE LITTLE GREY CELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
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n his delightful sleigh ride through Christmas history, Paul Kerensa answers the festive questions you never thought to ask… From Roman revelry to singing Bing, via Santa, Scrooge and a snoozing Saviour, this timeless tale is perfect trivia fodder for the Christmas dinner table. Paul Kerensa has written scripts for award-winning TV and radio comedy shows like 'Miranda,' 'Not Going Out', 'The Now Show', 'The News Quiz' and 'Dead Ringers'. He contributes a regular 'Pause For Thought' on Chris Evans' Radio 2 Breakfast Show. As a stand-up, Paul won ITV's Take The Mike Award in 2002, and was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards. All the answers to this Christmas quiz are in Paul Kerensa’s new book Hark! The biography of Christmas (Lion), one of the Christmas HOPE giveaways on page 12. 1
Which climatic conditions inspired the writing of “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”, “The Christmas Song”, and “Sleigh Ride”? a) A Baltimore blizzard b) A Hollywood heatwave c) A Manhattan monsoon
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One letter-writing private at the 1914 Christmas Truce went on to write which animal-based book? a) Fantastic Mr Fox b) Tarka the Otter c) Jeffrey the Weasel
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Which of these was Christmas NOT called in England in the 1640s? a) Boxing Eve b) The Profane Man’s Ranting Day c) The Multitudes’ Idle Day
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Which of these was the original spelling of a reindeer’s name from Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St Nicholas”? a) Dunder b) Flitzen c) Thrasher
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Candlemas is otherwise known as what? a) The Day of the Triffids b) Groundhog Day c) The Day the Earth Stood Still
6 The composer of “Little Donkey” also wrote which other animal-based song? a) “Ox and Ass and Gerbil” b) “One More Sheep till Christmas” c) “I’ve Got a Little Whippet” 7 In what Christmassy-sounding place was St Nicholas born? a) Bethlehemville b) Turkey c) Caracas 8 Which one of these song facts is NOT true? a) “Jingle Bells” was the first song in space, as part of a Santa/alien prank b) “White Christmas” was the warning alarm for US troops to leave Saigon c) “Silent Night” was the first song to top the charts in Klingon 9 What’s the customary Japanese Christmas dinner? a) Burger King b) KFC c) McDonald’s 10 The poinsettia plant is named after whom or where? a) A school in Poinse, New Jersey b) Dr Joel Poinsett, first US Minister to Mexico c) Edgar Allen Poe, in Seattle
You can download copies of the Christmas Quiz from ChristmasHope.org
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1 b). 2 b). 3 a). 4 a). 5 b). 6 c). 7 b). 8 c). 9 b). 10 b).
ANSWERS below!
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