New Life Dec 09 issue 190

NEW LIFE DECEMBER 2009 • Issue 190 40p

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What you didn’t know about the first Christmas CENTRE PAGES

WE WISH ALL OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS

EVANGELIST: ‘CHILDREN KNOW CHRISTMAS STORY’

GIVE TODAY’S KIDS A LITTLE CREDIT A ChIlDREn’s evangelist has strongly rejected claims that kids no longer know the first thing about the real meaning of Christmas.

Pau l Wi l l mott, who works for churches in no less than 28 primary schools throughout the West Midlands, says the nativity story is still known by many... and he’s well qualified to assess, as he speaks with at least 10,000 youngsters on his travels.

by Ian White

The 39-year-old father-of-two said: “It’s not as bad as reports make out. In the build-up to one quite recent Christmas, I was invited to story tell at a Birmingham library and was well pleased by what children know.” After using his puppet – Kato the lion – to get the “real meaning” of Christmas wrong by saying it’s all about receiving presents, Paul then ● Continued on Page 3

HELPING FESTIVE SHOPPERS FIND OASIS OF PEACE page 2

CAROL SERVICE CHANGED MY LIFE page 3

INMATES’ CARDS AND GIFTS ARE SPECIAL TO ME page 9

Paul Willmott, Kato the lion and son Ben at the story telling time at a Birmingham library with friends Lars and Katrina

Visit your local church this Christmas

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Teen girl’s CHAPEL PROVIDES PEACE IN CHRISTMAS RUSH top award A teenage girl is one of six people who have been given an award by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust after she produced a video. Naomi Cumming was given the award in recognition of her work w ith the Ch rist Chu rch A rm ley Youth Project, which she has attended from the age of five. She has gone on to become a youth leader after completing a peer mentoring course. The Trust has been launched jointly by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to recognise and encourage the work of young people mainly from deprived areas in northern England whose faith is inspiring them to transform their communities.

Gearing up to tell story The madcap driving challenges of BBC TV’s Top Gear programme are the inspiration behind a unique Christmas resource pack which was launched recently. Spurgeons’ Bethlehem Challenge, which takes a creative and humorous look at the journey of the wise men, is a free resource for chu rches and schools to use at Christmas. The ‘wise men’ T h e p a c k from the DVD includes a DVD with the animated story ‘Camels, Caravans and a Cortina’, a short drama, sample talk and other useful ideas for services, assemblies and meetings.

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shoppers seeking solace at centre CHRISTMAS shoppers who by Becky Barlow have to face the crowds at one of the UK’s largest that have made folk redundant, parshopping centres will be ticularly at Woolworths. “Obviously we can’t contact every heading to an “oasis” during member of staff, but we do try to make this year’s rush. ourselves available. But a lot of shops

And when they visit the chapel in the Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex, they’ll find a chaplain who’s always ready to listen. Many shopping centres provide chapels throughout the UK. A nd while the chaplain service provided is aimed at people who work in the stores, minister Colin Phillips says shoppers also enjoy the peace the chapel offers. He said: “We’re part of Work Place Chaplains. There are eight people on my team from all different denominations, a community church, Methodist and Church of England. The chapel is open 24 hours a day. “It’s like being a pastor of a store. We go into the stores and talk to the staff and ask if there are any bereavements and if there’s anyone who needs any help. They give us permission to walk around the store and talk to people.” Last year’s collapse of high street giant Woolworths meant the Baptist minister was busy talking to those who faced redundancy in the run-up to last Christmas. He added: “We’ve offered our services to the people in some of the shops

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This Christmas, shoppers can go and admire the nativity scene in the Chapel as they leave their prayer requests for the chaplains. Mr Phillips explained: “At Christmas the corridor down to the chapel is given over to Christian posters. “The chapel is decorated for Christmas with a nativity scene and we also contributed to the large life-size nativity scene on the third floor. “The chapel is an oasis. It’s a quiet place for people to come, but there’s also a vestry and a counselling centre. “Sometimes there are people who want to talk to us and sometimes we just go in and pray through the prayer requests. SUBSCriBe “People have come to • Only £10 for 12 issues know Jesus through visiting the stores. At Christ• Free delivery direct to mas time we arrange for your door schools to come in and sing carols. We also have • Inspiring stories of faith a service for the staff and Baptist minister Colin Phillips stands by the nativity scene in Lakeside one for the customers.” Shopping Centre, Essex • Just a brilliant newspaper!

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are doing very well, so it’s not all doom and gloom. “It’s mainly to support the staff because we visit every shop and each chaplain is allocated to a different store. “But shoppers also come to the chapel because they can find a real peace and a quiet place. It’s a real oasis of prayer.” And during the festive season, the chapel gives those caught up in the rush to buy Christmas gifts the chance to reflect. The chapel is tucked away on the third floor, just off the food court.

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Big date for Alpha chief NI top cop a Alpha Course pioneer Nicky Gumbel (pictured) was invited by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to pray at a Christmas event at 10 Downing Street. Mr Brown described the event as an opportunity “to celebrate all the good things that Christians have done in the country and around the world”. Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South, led the meeting of about 70 Christian leaders from across the denominations. A small brass band from the Salvation Army played during the distribution of tea and coffee.

brick work! real lesson Would you Adam and Eve it? A Christian has created the world’s la rgest i l lustrated online Bible – using Lego. Br icktesta ment.com is the brainchild of Brendan Powell Smith, the son of a Sunday school teacher. Mr Smith has spent the last eight years staging and photographing stories from 17 of the Bible’s 39 books.

A conference has taught Christians and churches how to offer spiritual development for people with learning disabilities. The Prospects Conference included worship and discussion. David Bendor-Samuel, from organisers International Prospects, said: “People with learning disabilities are often denied the opportunity to develop their faith.”

man of faith Northern Ireland’s new Chief Constable is a devout Christian, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. Matt Baggot took over the role in September, replacing Sir Hugh Orde. He is president of the Christian Police Association and vice-president of the National Association of Police Chaplains. As a member of the National Policing Board he advises the govern ment on issues ranging from partnership to social cohesion. The married father-of-three spent 20 years in the Met, was Deputy Chief Constable in the West Midlands and then Chief Constable of Leicestershire.

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Dylan’s new CHRISTMAS SINGLE TO RAISE CASH album full of festive treats ROCK icon Bob Dylan has released his first ever Christmas album – and it may help answer the question about his faith. Although he is reputed to have become a Christian 30 years ago, Dylan has never spoken publicly about his faith. But the man with the unmistakable gravelly voice may now silence doubters with the new album, which i ncludes ma ny carols. And he has shown true kindness by donating all proceeds of the album to charity. The musician (pictured) has recorded sincere renditions of Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Come all ye Faithful and The First Noel among many others. Music critic Chris Richards commented: “This Christmas season, parents will introduce their children to a legendary sage renowned for his unmistakable voice. “His first ever holiday album, Christmas in the Heart, hears the 68-year-old ripping through a gaggle of jaunty Christmas carols as if they were so much gift wrap.” ‘“From Winter Wonderland to Silver Bells to First Noel, it’s a bizarre and bewildering collection that, in many ways, embodies the roughhewn traditionalism and foreheadslapping surrealism that’s defined Dylan’s career. “The man’s serrated croon isn’t just jarring – it actually gives these chirpy old chestnuts a sense of menace... and it is awesome.” All proceeds from the album’s sales go to support The World Food Programme, Crisis UK and Feeding America.

NEW LIFE A vicAr says Jesus could shop at Aldi if he lived on earth today. The rt rev Stephen cottrell said: “i meet people who think you have to be highly educated or suited and booted to be a person who goes to church. Jesus would just as likely be in the queue at Asda or Aldi.”

NEWSFLASH

Linvoy leads club in song NEW LIFE’S top sports columnist Linvoy Primus is heading up a Christmas Carol Service at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park. Linvoy, through his organisation Faith and Football, has received permission from the club’s Arab owners to go ahead with the event. I nte r n at ion a l evangelist J John has accepted a n invitation to speak at the service and Linvoy (above) revealed that two of the players and manager Paul Hart will be reading the Christmas story from the Bible. Said Linvoy: “I’m delighted the club has g iven per m ission. I’m thrilled and looking forward to a great event. “I’m sure there will be a very big attendance inside the ground and its wonderful that the word of God is going to be heard inside this great old club.”

Singing for charity... Tara Mathew

AN international singer is bidding to get her single into the UK charts this Christmas – and raise cash for charity too. Tara Mathew’s pop song, Christmas Present, carries a Christian message, but is written to appeal to a wide variety of audiences with its catchy melody. And as well as hoping to sell enough copies, she’s planning to give up her royalties for BBC charity Children in Need. Tara, who sang at the opening of the Canada Games as well as many other official Canadian government events, is also planning an attempt to set a record. She will be appearing at Exeter City’s home game against Brighton on December 5 and wants the whole crowd to wish each other a merry Christmas. Tara said: “We hope this will set a record of the largest gathering of people to say merry Christmas at once.” The singing sensation added that the fans of both teams would be urged to take part in raising funds for Children in Need at the same time. She said: “I am launching the single in aid of the appeal with all my royalties going to the charity. During half-time I’ll be singing the song and there will be a collection for the charity. “But for those who can’t go, they can buy the single and that will help boost Children in Need funds.” The single is released on November 30, but it can be pre-ordered at shops or even by text! Text ‘taram’ to 78789, and you’ll be given a link to download the song after the release date. The CD will also be available from leading record stores such as HMV, or on download sites such as iTunes and Amazon. Tara is in the UK to record her debut album. She added: “I’ve been a Christian for many years and want to spread the love of God through the single. “My album will also use pop music as a medium to spread God’s work in a contemporary way.”

WARM WELCOME HELPED WOMAN’S FAITH DECISION

how carol service led me to new life by Becky Barlow

When Jackie Murphy was invited to a carol service six Christmases ago she accepted the request – but only out of politeness Howeve r, t he mu m- of-t wo wasn’t prepared for that service to be where she’d find answers to her questions about life Now a committed Christian, the school science tech n ician has revealed how she found the answers to all her questions in the Bible. Jackie, 57, was brought up to go to Sunday school but stopped going to church aged 14. She said she went through life without thinking about God, until she started a degree in history and English literature. One of the modules was philosophy and this raised questions that Jackie hadn’t thought of for a long time. She said: “The module that we did was about belief and belief systems, and it was at that point that I actually started thinking about God. “I’d always been told that God was real but I’d never felt it. It had never been personal.” So Jack ie decided to do an

Life changing... Jackie Murphy Alpha Course but admitted that she only attended because she was just ‘going through the motions’. She said: “It just didn’t seem real to me. I was just enjoying learning things.” Then, in Christmas 2003, she was invited to a carol service at Cornerstone Community Church in Eccles, Manchester, by its pastor Stan Smith. “My daughter-in-law’s father, who’s a pastor, invited me to their carols by candlelight service,” she explained. “I went out of sheer politeness. It was the first time I’d stepped foot in a church in a long time. “I went in as an outsider and I think an act of collective worship

is a very warm, reassuring thing. It draws you into these people and into an atmosphere and you don’t get that anywhere else, except in a place where there’s Jesus. “There was this overwhelming feeling of warmth and I thought there’s something going on here and maybe I should find out more about it.” So when the pastor announced he was running a course called Discovery – similar to Alpha – in the new year, Jackie signed up. She said: “It was during this course that it all started to become real to me. I finally saw it as the truth. I actually believed it rather than just learning the facts. “Up to then, I’d always had problems with the resurrection and the immaculate conception. Then it just hit me like a ton of bricks – if God can create the universe, what’s an immaculate conception? And now Jackie enjoys being part of the Christian family. She said: “Having faith is one of life’s great reassurances. You’re never on your own and if you’re in a fix some people may go and see a therapist, whereas a Christian will sit down and pray. “The process of praying and talking things through is great. W h ateve r q uest ion s we h ave there’s always an answer in the Bible.”

kids ‘do’ know about nativity ● Continued from Page 1 sets a unique nativity scene. Mary and Joseph are prince and princess travelling in a big, flash motor in a story involving a car chase and castle and a helicopter and hotel. “Each time I elaborate on the tale, a youngster always corrects me.” Paul, who was sent to Sunday school from the tender age of three, said he was a typical child who only really thought about presents during the festive period – despite knowing all the Bible stories. He added: “I really do think it’s the same with children today. Certainly with the kids that I see; it’s not that they don’t know what Christmas is about, but that they focus on the presents.” Paul said his own focus began to change at the age of ten. He made a personal decision to become a Christian and gradually got involved with children’s work through his church. As time progressed he developed juggling and unicycling skills, which have put him in good standing for his current work, which he’s undertaken full-time since 1996.

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AUSSIE PM’S CALL ON POVERTY CHALLENGE AUSTRAlIAN Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, says a new version of the Bible which highlights passages about the need to fight poverty and campaign for global justice is an ‘extraordinary’ work which draws attention to ‘the challenge facing us all’. The Povert y a nd Just ice Bible is the inspiration of Bible Society chief executive James Catford. It was developed at the society’s headquarters in Swindon and first published in Britain a year and a half ago, but is now being used across the world. Mr Rudd joined opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull for the Australian launch at Parliament House in Canberra. It will be followed by a series of events across the country. Mr Catford said: “When we dreamt up the idea we never i mag i ned that it wou ld get picked up around the world. Gordon Brown got to have a copy when I visited Downing Street earlier this year. “Now the Australian Prime M i n ister has spoken at its launch. People who work for the aid charities a re rea lly interested in it. On the issues of poverty and justice, God got there first!”

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

Campaign a big success USA – Church members across the United States invited more than 700,000 of their friends and family in the country’s first ever Back to Church Sunday campaign. They also created services specifically geared toward visitors during the event. Organisers say churches reported surges in attendance, confessions of faith, new members and baptisms. According to a survey conducted by Outreach Inc after the event, many visitors were favourably impressed toward the church and the gospel. Some pa rt icipat i ng chu rches reported attendance was up by as much as 25–30 per cent. One pastor reported his church’s attendance shot up from an average of 155 to 220 on Back to Church Sunday. Another reported an attendance jump from 150 to 196, still another from 60 to 70. One churchgoer said: “Church was packed out. It hasn’t been like that in a long time. I loved it!” Another added: “It was a little challenging getting a parking spot. Praise God!”

CONFERENCE TOLD OF ‘BACK FROM DEAD’ WOMAN ‘Vital’ role to make peace

DOCS IN DEBATE ON MIRACLE HEALINGS Persecution fight backed by Sentamu THE Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is the latest in a long line of well-known UK Christians to support a new campaign backing persecuted Christians in Orissa, India. FaithwithoutFear.org is a joint campaign from Premier Christian Media and charity Open Doors. Their aim is to push for changes for 50,000 Christians in Orissa who were forced from their homes over a year ago.

justice The campaign is calling for 50,000 letters to be sent to the Indian Prime Minister demanding change. Dr John Sentamu said: “I will always support justice for those who are persecuted for thei r fa ith a rou nd the globe. That is why I am supporting the Faith Without Fear Campaign that seeks to raise awareness of the suffering of Christians in Orissa state.

More than 400 doctors and medical professionals met to consider whether miracles still happen today at a conference in Kiev.

The experts – from 30 different countries – gathered for the 6th International Ch ristian Medical Conference. Among the delegates were doctors from countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo who believe in praying for their sick patients. On the opening day, delegates were shocked when Dr Irene Jacovou, from Brisbane, Australia, presented medical ev idence for the healing from skin cancer of a 64-year-old retired school teacher and principal. The doctor revealed three miracles she had experienced and said she had been hea led from t wo

forms of cancer, including breast cancer. She said: “I collapsed one day and suffered cardiac arrest and was ‘dead’ for 45 minutes. A miracle occurred and I was brought back to life. After a short time I was back at work with no damage whatsoever to my brain and I was able to work again as a doctor.” Delegates at the con ference, 60 per cent of whom came from Ukraine, were welcomed by Dr YoonSeok Chae, a surgeon from Seoul, South Korea, who is also president of the World Christian Doctors Network (WCDN).

analyse “The same miracles, signs and wonders performed 2,000 years ago are still taking place even today,” he said in his talk. “The World Christian Doctors Network was organised to medi-

cally analyse cases of divine healing, clarify the data before and after the healing and use that data to testify that God is alive and that the Bible is authentic, and therefore to awaken not only unbelievers but intellectual people including medical doctors and scientists as well.” The key note spea ker on t he opening day was the Rev Dr Vitaliy Fishberg, a doctor from the Republic of Moldova. Dr Fishberg said, “Despite the advancement of medicine many people are still suffering from diseases. “And there are so many incurable diseases. Even unknown diseases are rampant. “But there is one way where every kind of disease can be healed, that is when you meet the Almighty God. He can heal any kind of diseases that cannot be cured with science and medicines.”

I pray for Gaddafi, says Lockerbie victim’s sister THE sister of a man killed in the lockerbie bombing has told libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi that she is praying for him. American lawyer lisa Gibson met the controversial leader when he addressed the United Nations for the first time. A meeting was arranged between the pair, and it’s at that meeting she told him she did not harbour hatred but was praying for him. This latest show of grace comes after we revealed that lisa backed the decision to free Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi. She told reporters: “I shared with him [Gaddafi] that

I have been to libya three times and have truly fallen in love with the libyan people. “I gave him a gift, a ‘Cross’ brand pen and a card. In the card I shared that I have been praying for him since my first trip to libya in 2005, wished him the best for himself and the people of his country, and blessed him. “Not the expected response to a known dictator and terrorist. She added: “While the rest of the world was spewing hate and rhetoric against him, one simple woman welcomed him to America and shared the love of Christ with him in the simplest ways I knew how.”

MIDDLe eAST – The head of the Palestinian Bible Society believes Christians are “vital” to bringing peace to Israel and Palestine. Nashat Filmon said in a visit to Bible Society in the UK that Israel and Palestine were both to blame for the recent war in Gaza. Christians, he said, could help foster peace by acting as a bridge between Palestinians and Israelis. “On the ground it is a very hard, devastating situation. People are hungry and thirsty, not just for food, but for peace, reconciliation and normal life,” he said. “As Christians, we have a role to be peacemakers. We have the opportunity to build bridges to bring both sides together.”

Plea as crisis hits Ethiopia eTHIoPIA – Christian aid agency World Vision is appealing for donations and prayer for families and com mu n it ies worst a ffected by Ethiopia’s food crisis. Crops have failed as a result of poor and erratic rainfall, leaving more than six million struggling for survival. Many of those affected are families that depend on the land for their daily bread. At a meeti ng recently on the prolonged drought plaguing parts of East Africa, the Ethiopian government appealed to the international community for food aid to feed 6.2 million people.

Marching on!

BrAZIL – The annual March for Jesus in Brazil drew more than 1.5 million Christians recently. Participants marched 2.5 miles in San Paulo and heard music from Christian bands and messages from preachers and local celebrities.

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Plea to tackle PRAYERS FOR FUNDING HELP ARE ANSWERED world poverty A VIdeO and booklet has been released to help churches fight against global poverty. Play Your Part resource, produced by the Micah Challenge, calls on each Christian to recognise and realise the part they must play in the fight against worldwide poverty. The four minute video, with accompanying booklet, inspires Christians by telling them they have the power to make a huge difference by doing their bit. It encourages people to live more simply, lobby their local MP and pray for justice in their church. Andy Clasper, Micah Challenge executive director said, “There is tremendous power in the realisation that we are connected to others across the other side of the world and form part of the same body – all made in God’s image. “We have a critical role to play.”

Quake, tsunami victims’ appeal AN appeal for prayer and funds for victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Samoa, Tonga and Indonesia has been launched by the Methodist Church in Britain. Its World Mission Fund has granted £10,000 to aid the relief work. Steve Pearce, partnership coordinator, said: “The money will go to partner churches, which are playing an important role in rebuilding communities.” To donate, send a cheque to the World Mission Fund to dave Bennett, Fundraising Co-ordinator, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR. Postal donations should be labelled ‘Pacific Appeal’.

Thanks a millionaire says charity’s chief! A CHARITY boss saw all her Christmases come at once – when her prayers were answered on TV’s Secret Millionare programme. Olivia Amartey, 47, set up her charity Sisters With Voices (SWV) in inner city Birmingham to help give hope to disadvantaged young women. But the charity started to run out of funds and she prayed for help to find cash support. And the committed Christian’s prayers were answered in a spectacular way – when Channel 4 sent “secret millionaire” Kavita Oberoi to visit the charity. The 39-year-old was left so impressed with the charity she donated £25,000. SWV runs eight-week workshops and offers one-to-one mentoring to help the girls improve their selfesteem and confidence. It helps educate them on the problems they face, like the realities of being a young mum in an area with one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country. Other activi-

The moment Kavita handed over the cheque to Olivia on the programme, left. Above, Olivia Amartey and Kavita Oberoi

ties include rock climbing, singing, dancing and creative writing. But when the money started to dry up, Olivia decided to pray. “There was £300 left in the bank account,’ she remembers. ‘So I prayed, “God, we need more money.” Not long after her prayer, Olivia received a call from Channel 4, asking her if they could come and film. She said: “They said they wanted to place a volunteer with us and film what we were doing in the community. Kavita came and volunteered

to work with us on one of the activities. I remember thinking how petite she was. She didn’t look rich. Several days later Channel 4 called to ask whether they could film us in our office.” Then, Kavita dropped the bombshell. Olivia said: ‘She walked in and tearfully explained that she was a millionaire and wanted to give us £25,000 to continue our work. I was flabbergasted. I thought, “God, you’ve answered our prayers in the most public way I could ever think and just in the nick of time!”

‘If you watch the programme, I turn my back to the cameras to say, “Thank you God,” because I knew I was witnessing a dramatic answer to prayer.’ And Olivia has been amazed by the feedback she has received. “We had a phenomenal response to the programme from across the world from people wanting to buy the Sisters With Voices programme.” And Olivia now wants everyone to know what God did. She said: “God is amazing! Now I know that God can do anything. I don’t think we’ve done anything extraordinary but I know that God can take something small and make it something big. God answered my prayers in the most public way imaginable – on TV! “It’s just phenomenal what God can do and it’s given me a platform to share my story which shows women that we can do anything. I’ve grown in my faith. I know that no matter how small your dream if God gives you those dreams, he will work the miracles to make those dreams become a living reality.”

a dv ertising fe at ur e

New nursery and day care centre are given thumbs up by users and staff a CHurCH that has realised its vision to help vulnerable people has been given the thumbs up from those who work for it and use its services. Kingdom Bank gave Wirral Christian Centre a mortgage to help refurbish its church and day nursery, and to provide day-care facilities for older people. the church was also able to pay for a five-bed nursing home in its residential centre. Pastor Paul upton said the church revamp of an old anglican building had already been in the pipeline, but church leaders decided they needed cash to fund its two projects, Winston’s nursery and regain day care centre. the loan from Kingdom Bank has helped Wirral Christian Centre do just that. One young mum from the community, who is enjoying the new facilities at Winston’s, is vicki Craven. vicki, who is mum to eight-month-old Micah, said: “the old nursery was lovely, but now it’s so open and the accessibility of the soft play area is great. there’s also a baby suite that will be ready soon, which will have a sleeping room. “from my experience with

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The new nursery is completed. Top, day care centre activity co-ordinator Jennifer Hewitt and grateful mum Vicki Craven, who loves the new nursery

Micah, that will really help because it will help keep them in their routines. “Being part of a Christian organisation, they do encourage the Christian side. the children have Bible stories at story time and the staff say grace with the children, which is lovely. “there’s a huge amount of space now and we have an extra area in the centre, which all the children can use, and the garden is great.” Jennifer Hewitt, activity co-ordinator at regain, said she was encouraged by the response to the day care centre. she said: “it makes a big difference to people’s lives. they’re very sociable when they’re here and that’s so

important. now we have a big dayroom and it’s light and colourful and we do all sorts with them, such as painting, carpet games and the like.” Pastor upton is delighted with the result and said working with Kingdom Bank was a great experience. He said: “When we looked at our projects as well as the church refurbishment, we needed money to complete our day nursery, Winston’s, and the day care area, regain, as well as developing the nursing home side of things. “it was great to be able to talk through the financial equation, but in a spiritual context, with Kingdom Bank. they worked with us very nicely.”

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WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS

tune in In 2009, New Life will be working with Christian

media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on dAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.

explore ChristiAnity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org

Find A ChurCh We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.

the BiBle MAtters The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.

The ABC of how you can become a Christian...

A that Jesus died so that you can B Believe be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you Admit that you have done wrong

The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).

C Commit yourself to living God’s way

Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.

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FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk

What it means to us all SO what does the Christmas story actually mean, and does it have any relevance to our lives today? Luke 2:8 records “And there we re shephe rds l iv i ng out i n the fields nea rby, keeping watch over their f locks at night” (yes, that is flocks, not socks – these shepherds couldn’t afford socks!). But these weren’t just ordinary flocks. These were lambs destined to be sacrificed at a festival called Passover. To explain: the Jewish law required that every household had to bring an unblemished lamb at Passover time to be sacrificed because of the people’s sins. And it was the job of these Christmas shepherds to inspect each new born lamb and validate that it was acceptable. That’s why God sent these men to see Jesus. He was saying: “Look fellas, he has come to be a sacr i fice a nd he is perfect!” Of course, the idea of sacrificing animals to pacify a God, angry about sins, may seem a long way from how you see life and the universe. But this was the belief of all those involved in the Christmas story. The angel said to Joseph, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he w ill save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). As Passover approached, the people knew that they had not lived in an exemplary way and needed the sacrifice of the lamb. Likewise, as we approach God, either now or at the end of our lives, we face the very same dilemma. We have all done things that are wrong, even the most saintly of us. We have failed to keep God’s ways and are in need of forgiveness; not just from the people that we have hurt and failed, but from God himself. The problem is that no amount of “being good” makes up for the bad, not in heaven’s eyes. We need a champion; someone who has lived perfectly, like an unblemished lamb; one who can receive the punishment in our place. The Bible says that this person was Jesus. He lived a life that pleased God and then he died on the cross, taking the blame for everything that we have done wrong. We are the guilty ones, and he has paid our fine in full. If we will put our faith in him, we can start life all over again. And the contract kicks in when we are genuinely sorry for our old, sinful ways and give Christ our hearts. The Christmas carol puts it like this: “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet, what can I give him? Give my heart!” You probably won’t see an angel this Christmas, but the news has reached you anyway. Jesus wants to be your Saviour! What will you do? Wise men seek him.

Issue 190 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

FORGET THE CARDS... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED ON 1ST CHRISTMAS

Despite the carol, it is unlikely to have been a “Silent Night” ‘There she was: the unmarried mum to be, and long before Jeremy Kyle could chat it through with her’

It’s the time of year that many people love, but nativity scenes and Christmas card images don’t tell the real story about the first Christmas – when Jesus Christ was born. Pastor Peter Cavanna takes an entertaining look at what really happened in this special New Life feature

I

f you were to visit my home over Christmas, you would see a number of Christmas cards colourfully decorating the lounge.

M A Ry Probably an early te sligh tly o enage gir lde l, term ‘virgin r male by arr ange betrothed to a d ’ has some to mean th times been marr iage. The a misreprese it clear th t she was young, b nted u a t sh e ha d conceiv t the tex t makes having ha e d a b a by d sex with wit an have a nu mber of c yone. She later we hou t n hildren w ith Joseph t on to .

almost age, and JosEph ve died at an early Jesus reached a e Likely to h t around by the tim h the dreamer it no w e ly in m a a n the rt e c shares his many colours from as h p e s Jo , f w o 30 t h a p o e s c g Jo as zzlin and his da en t. Bu t the Christm l dreams than m cia Old Testa r times’ more spe t many people u o gran ted fo ebber ancestor! N W d y lo L his k now that. T h E sh E p h Two th o u ER ds sa we re u n tr n d ye a rs a g o, Is ra u same sus s te d o u tc a s ts – v e li s h e p h e rd s picion as ie today. Th some “t ra we d w it h th e eir ve of law, m testimony was no lling groups” ak t valid in a God chos ing it all the more c e them to remarkab ourt le that s p read the fi message. rst Christm as

The vast majority of them are “religious cards” – not because I object to “Santa” cards, it’s just that my nonreligious friends are usually at a loss to know what to do with the solitary “Mary and Jesus” card they get by default in their variety box. So they make sure that one goes to me! What’s interesting is that, when we examine the original story as told in the Bible, the happy Polaroid of Mary, Joseph and the smiling donkey that adorns many Christmas cards could not be further from the truth. Let’s move the straw away and check the facts. What actually happened on that first Christmas Eve? Our sources are the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, both written within living memory of the events, and by two men who wanted to get the details down accurately.

Agi’ g in is MEn oR ‘M tr y o f o ri ThE WisE ty o f th e ir c o u n . Matthew just ith ti T h e id e n is their religious fa from the East, as ple unknown, they were wise peo Christmas star e t tells us tha s from Babylon. Th s to guide the w ve o Je m ly b lly a si s ave ic o p later phys us, so it cannot h d n a rs a e s Je app f o e m e ho met. Magi to th hance, random co been a c

famous Like any good story, it all begins with “girl meets boy;” in this instance, an arranged Jewish marriage between Mary and Joseph. They are engaged to be wed, quite oblivious to the fact that they are destined to become the most famous married couple in history – when it comes to long-term celebrity status, not even Posh and Becks come anywhere close. Both Matthew and Luke record that a supernatural being, an angel called Gabriel, paid a visit to Mary and Joseph, d roppi ng a n u nprecede nted d iv i ne bombshell – Mary was going to become pregnant through the Holy Spirit, despite being a bona fide virgin. There she was: the unmarried mum to be, and long before Jeremy Kyle could chat it through with her. And one can only imagine the confusion and the shame, especially as the identity given by the angel to this mystery baby was also out of this world. He would be called “the Son of God”. Trouble, they say, comes in threes. With the baby due soon, the Roman Caesar Augustus decides he wants to do a headcount of everyone living in the Empire; a sort of Imperial Facebook tally of friends. This required everyone to spend a night in their hometown to register; which for Joseph meant a journey south to Bethlehem. So the pregnant Mary, contractions loom-

e st gir l in th the prettie was male, y b A ngEl s d e y la briel eing p Despite b hool, the Angel Ga ro u g h o u t th e th c class at s th e o th e r a n g e ls ly d o n’t h a v e in a ll a rt re e e c w y s e a Th e a rd in s s to ry. u have h C h ri s tm a d e sp it e w ha t yo singing. l nd w in g s! A don’t do any chora ey carols, th

ing, travels with her husband by donkey the 80 miles or so to Bethlehem. Of course, with a town full of visitors for the census, and our Christmas couple lacking the clobber and the credit to book themselves into the Bethlehem Hilton, Joseph begs a place for himself and Mary in the animal’s shelter. With her own mum so far away, no bed to speak of, and only Joseph with her to help, Mary goes into labour amidst the animals. Despite the sweet carol, it is unlikely to have been a “Silent Night” in all honesty.

I

n the darkened fields nearby were a group of shepherds. A large number of angels appear, brightening up their evening no end, and they let them in on this special news. They use names for Jesus that had not been used of anyone else in the Bible before: Saviour, Christ and Lord. After a while these angels depart, leaving the shepherds to go into Bethlehem and seek out the new baby. Just as the angels promised, they find Jesus lying in an animal trough. It’s no wonder they called him the lamb of God! If we followed

the Christmas card image literally, this would be the point when the silhouette of three kings on camels would cross the frame. However, reading Matthew carefully, it seems likely that a gap of almost two years should be inserted here. In fact, the “Three Kings” are probably the most inaccurate bit of the traditional story. They weren’t kings and there weren’t three of them, so feel free to sing “We three kings of orient aren’t” at the carol service this year. They are called “Magi” or “wise men”, and the reason we have ended up with three of them is down to the three gifts that come out of their suitcases at the end of the story.

asTRoNomICaL However, they d id i ndeed spot a strange star, one that had no astronomical logic, and this inspired them to connect a prophecy given by Moses thousands of years’ earlier, indicating that an unusual star would herald the arrival of Israel’s true King (Numbers 24:17). Unfortunately, perhaps these men weren’t as wise as their website suggested,

as they wrongly figured that the best person to inform of this joyous news was the highly insecure, current king, Herod. By this time, due to the expansion of the Roman Empire, he was just a puppet ruler, appointed by Caesar, and not of any genuine kingly lineage. The threat of finding himself potentially in the “dance off” pushes Herod over the edge.

N

o pantom ime v illain, the Bible records that he ordered the deaths of all the boys who were two years old and under; thus dating the scene way beyond the Bethlehem maternity unit. Meeting a two-year-old Jesus, the wise men open their gifts. Gold, in reference to his royalty; incense because he will be a priest and the object of worship; and myrrh, an ointment used for the dead, reflecting the Easter events to come. Strikingly, Matthew tells us that these wise men bowed down and worshipped this young child. In time, the new family would dodge the villainy of Herod, conveniently taking up an urgent vacation to Egypt. In time, the young Jesus would find himself grow-

ing up and taking on the family business of carpentry in Nazareth. And in time, Mary would find herself looking up, as Jesus hung upon a cross, the vilest form of execution ever created, and a long dormant memory of him being the ransom for all people would flash through her distraught mind. Three days later, as the Easter stone is rolled away, a whole new era of history would begin. He would be the Resurrected Lord. So next time you see the ‘nativity’ scene, think again. Think of a penniless, young couple, a long way from home, struggling with issues of faith and destiny and no epidural.

GLoRIous Think about frightening appearances of glowing angels, making declarations about the ultimate turn of human history. Think about the welcome granted to local under-dogs, as well as to far off aristocrats, to this glorious news. Most of all, think about a baby who would be called “the Son of God”; a baby who would become the centre and Saviour of all mankind. Emmanuel: God with us.

dATing C h Jesus wa R isTMAs s Herod die probably born in 5 d in o The celeb 4BC. No-one know r 6BC, as K ing ration bec ame set o s the exact date. the fourth nD c k inds of s en tury. Before the ecember 25 in ug n March 25 gestions, includin there were all .A g at the inn ny theories that th January 6 and ere was “becau be treated se it was Christm no room as” should with susp icion!

assed story are p E ThE BiBl ns of the Christmas escribed as “a d tio Large sec by S t Luke, who is lit tle facts and is s down to u the first rank.” All h nd when check of ga historian stmas as reignin out who w many of the Chri k e ’s b a s re u figu ile L h , W g . a d in letely ou t comp k e fo r a m a zi n g re g my thological a in m th som e e v e n ts not to wri te intention is torical documen t. bu t a his

7

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE • Issue 190 NEW LIFE

NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk

WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS

tune in In 2009, New Life will be working with Christian

media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on dAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.

explore ChristiAnity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org

Find A ChurCh We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.

the BiBle MAtters The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.

The ABC of how you can become a Christian...

A that Jesus died so that you can B Believe be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you Admit that you have done wrong

The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).

C Commit yourself to living God’s way

Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.

FREE

FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk

What it means to us all SO what does the Christmas story actually mean, and does it have any relevance to our lives today? Luke 2:8 records “And there we re shephe rds l iv i ng out i n the fields nea rby, keeping watch over their f locks at night” (yes, that is flocks, not socks – these shepherds couldn’t afford socks!). But these weren’t just ordinary flocks. These were lambs destined to be sacrificed at a festival called Passover. To explain: the Jewish law required that every household had to bring an unblemished lamb at Passover time to be sacrificed because of the people’s sins. And it was the job of these Christmas shepherds to inspect each new born lamb and validate that it was acceptable. That’s why God sent these men to see Jesus. He was saying: “Look fellas, he has come to be a sacr i fice a nd he is perfect!” Of course, the idea of sacrificing animals to pacify a God, angry about sins, may seem a long way from how you see life and the universe. But this was the belief of all those involved in the Christmas story. The angel said to Joseph, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he w ill save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). As Passover approached, the people knew that they had not lived in an exemplary way and needed the sacrifice of the lamb. Likewise, as we approach God, either now or at the end of our lives, we face the very same dilemma. We have all done things that are wrong, even the most saintly of us. We have failed to keep God’s ways and are in need of forgiveness; not just from the people that we have hurt and failed, but from God himself. The problem is that no amount of “being good” makes up for the bad, not in heaven’s eyes. We need a champion; someone who has lived perfectly, like an unblemished lamb; one who can receive the punishment in our place. The Bible says that this person was Jesus. He lived a life that pleased God and then he died on the cross, taking the blame for everything that we have done wrong. We are the guilty ones, and he has paid our fine in full. If we will put our faith in him, we can start life all over again. And the contract kicks in when we are genuinely sorry for our old, sinful ways and give Christ our hearts. The Christmas carol puts it like this: “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet, what can I give him? Give my heart!” You probably won’t see an angel this Christmas, but the news has reached you anyway. Jesus wants to be your Saviour! What will you do? Wise men seek him.

Issue 190 •

FORGET THE CARDS... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED ON 1ST CHRISTMAS

Despite the carol, it is unlikely to have been a “Silent Night” ‘There she was: the unmarried mum to be, and long before Jeremy Kyle could chat it through with her’

It’s the time of year that many people love, but nativity scenes and Christmas card images don’t tell the real story about the first Christmas – when Jesus Christ was born. Pastor Peter Cavanna takes an entertaining look at what really happened in this special New Life feature

I

f you were to visit my home over Christmas, you would see a number of Christmas cards colourfully decorating the lounge.

DID YOU KNOW? e st gir l in th the prettie was male, y b A ngEl s d e y la briel eing p Despite b hool, the Angel Ga ro u g h o u t th e th c class at s th e o th e r a n g e ls ly d o n’t h a v e in a ll a rt re e e c w y s e a Th e a rd in s s to ry. u have h C h ri s tm a d e sp it e w ha t yo singing. l nd w in g s! A don’t do any chora ey carols, th

M A Ry Probably an early te sligh tly o enage gir lde l, term ‘virgin r male by arr ange betrothed to a d ’ has some to mean th times been marr iage. The a misreprese it clear th t she was young, b nted u a t sh e ha d conceiv t the tex t makes having ha e d a b a by d sex with wit an have a nu mber of c yone. She later we hou t n hildren w ith Joseph t on to .

almost age, and JosEph ve died at an early Jesus reached a e Likely to h t around by the tim h the dreamer it no w e ly in m a a n the rt e c shares his many colours from as h p e s Jo , f w o 30 t h a p o e s c g Jo as zzlin and his da en t. Bu t the Christm l dreams than m cia Old Testa r times’ more spe t many people u o gran ted fo ebber ancestor! N W d y lo L his k now that. T h E sh E p h Two th o u ER ds sa we re u n tr n d ye a rs a g o, Is ra u same sus s te d o u tc a s ts – v e li s h e p h e rd s picion as ie today. Th some “t ra we d w it h th e eir ve of law, m testimony was no lling groups” ak t valid in a God chos ing it all the more c e them to remarkab ourt le that s p read the fi message. rst Christm as

The vast majority of them are “religious cards” – not because I object to “Santa” cards, it’s just that my nonreligious friends are usually at a loss to know what to do with the solitary “Mary and Jesus” card they get by default in their variety box. So they make sure that one goes to me! What’s interesting is that, when we examine the original story as told in the Bible, the happy Polaroid of Mary, Joseph and the smiling donkey that adorns many Christmas cards could not be further from the truth. Let’s move the straw away and check the facts. What actually happened on that first Christmas Eve? Our sources are the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, both written within living memory of the events, and by two men who wanted to get the details down accurately.

Agi’ g in is MEn oR ‘M tr y o f o ri ThE WisE ty o f th e ir c o u n . Matthew just ith ti T h e id e n is their religious fa from the East, as ple unknown, they were wise peo Christmas star e t tells us tha s from Babylon. Th s to guide the w ve o Je m ly b lly a si s ave ic o p later phys us, so it cannot h d n a rs a e s Je app f o e m e ho met. Magi to th hance, random co been a c

famous Like any good story, it all begins with “girl meets boy;” in this instance, an arranged Jewish marriage between Mary and Joseph. They are engaged to be wed, quite oblivious to the fact that they are destined to become the most famous married couple in history – when it comes to long-term celebrity status, not even Posh and Becks come anywhere close. Both Matthew and Luke record that a supernatural being, an angel called Gabriel, paid a visit to Mary and Joseph, d roppi ng a n u nprecede nted d iv i ne bombshell – Mary was going to become pregnant through the Holy Spirit, despite being a bona fide virgin. There she was: the unmarried mum to be, and long before Jeremy Kyle could chat it through with her. And one can only imagine the confusion and the shame, especially as the identity given by the angel to this mystery baby was also out of this world. He would be called “the Son of God”. Trouble, they say, comes in threes. With the baby due soon, the Roman Caesar Augustus decides he wants to do a headcount of everyone living in the Empire; a sort of Imperial Facebook tally of friends. This required everyone to spend a night in their hometown to register; which for Joseph meant a journey south to Bethlehem. So the pregnant Mary, contractions loom-

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

ing, travels with her husband by donkey the 80 miles or so to Bethlehem. Of course, with a town full of visitors for the census, and our Christmas couple lacking the clobber and the credit to book themselves into the Bethlehem Hilton, Joseph begs a place for himself and Mary in the animal’s shelter. With her own mum so far away, no bed to speak of, and only Joseph with her to help, Mary goes into labour amidst the animals. Despite the sweet carol, it is unlikely to have been a “Silent Night” in all honesty.

I

n the darkened fields nearby were a group of shepherds. A large number of angels appear, brightening up their evening no end, and they let them in on this special news. They use names for Jesus that had not been used of anyone else in the Bible before: Saviour, Christ and Lord. After a while these angels depart, leaving the shepherds to go into Bethlehem and seek out the new baby. Just as the angels promised, they find Jesus lying in an animal trough. It’s no wonder they called him the lamb of God! If we followed

the Christmas card image literally, this would be the point when the silhouette of three kings on camels would cross the frame. However, reading Matthew carefully, it seems likely that a gap of almost two years should be inserted here. In fact, the “Three Kings” are probably the most inaccurate bit of the traditional story. They weren’t kings and there weren’t three of them, so feel free to sing “We three kings of orient aren’t” at the carol service this year. They are called “Magi” or “wise men”, and the reason we have ended up with three of them is down to the three gifts that come out of their suitcases at the end of the story.

asTRoNomICaL However, they d id i ndeed spot a strange star, one that had no astronomical logic, and this inspired them to connect a prophecy given by Moses thousands of years’ earlier, indicating that an unusual star would herald the arrival of Israel’s true King (Numbers 24:17). Unfortunately, perhaps these men weren’t as wise as their website suggested,

as they wrongly figured that the best person to inform of this joyous news was the highly insecure, current king, Herod. By this time, due to the expansion of the Roman Empire, he was just a puppet ruler, appointed by Caesar, and not of any genuine kingly lineage. The threat of finding himself potentially in the “dance off” pushes Herod over the edge.

N

o pantom ime v illain, the Bible records that he ordered the deaths of all the boys who were two years old and under; thus dating the scene way beyond the Bethlehem maternity unit. Meeting a two-year-old Jesus, the wise men open their gifts. Gold, in reference to his royalty; incense because he will be a priest and the object of worship; and myrrh, an ointment used for the dead, reflecting the Easter events to come. Strikingly, Matthew tells us that these wise men bowed down and worshipped this young child. In time, the new family would dodge the villainy of Herod, conveniently taking up an urgent vacation to Egypt. In time, the young Jesus would find himself grow-

ing up and taking on the family business of carpentry in Nazareth. And in time, Mary would find herself looking up, as Jesus hung upon a cross, the vilest form of execution ever created, and a long dormant memory of him being the ransom for all people would flash through her distraught mind. Three days later, as the Easter stone is rolled away, a whole new era of history would begin. He would be the Resurrected Lord. So next time you see the ‘nativity’ scene, think again. Think of a penniless, young couple, a long way from home, struggling with issues of faith and destiny and no epidural.

GLoRIous Think about frightening appearances of glowing angels, making declarations about the ultimate turn of human history. Think about the welcome granted to local under-dogs, as well as to far off aristocrats, to this glorious news. Most of all, think about a baby who would be called “the Son of God”; a baby who would become the centre and Saviour of all mankind. Emmanuel: God with us.

dATing C h Jesus wa R isTMAs s Herod die probably born in 5 d in o The celeb 4BC. No-one know r 6BC, as K ing ration bec ame set o s the exact date. the fourth nD c k inds of s en tury. Before the ecember 25 in ug n March 25 gestions, includin there were all .A g at the inn ny theories that th January 6 and ere was “becau be treated se it was Christm no room as” should with susp icion!

assed story are p E ThE BiBl ns of the Christmas escribed as “a d tio Large sec by S t Luke, who is lit tle facts and is s down to u the first rank.” All h nd when check of ga historian stmas as reignin out who w many of the Chri k e ’s b a s re u figu ile L h , W g . a d in letely ou t comp k e fo r a m a zi n g re g my thological a in m th som e e v e n ts not to wri te intention is torical documen t. bu t a his

7

Issue 190

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Get set for VISITOR RECIEVES CARDS AND GIFTS Brumdog Millionaire! BrU m dOG m i l l iona i re – a stage show loosely based on the smash hit movie Slumdog millionaire – will be staged in Birmingham this Christmas. Johnny Lee, team minister of Bi r m i ng ha m Ch r ist ia n Centre explained: “In 2006, we did something based on the story of Shrek using the donkey out of Shrek that had to carry Joseph and mary. That was great fun.

dances “We went on to do a skit on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and High School musical and this year we’re doing something on the back of Slumdog millionaire. We’re going really Bollywood so there’ll be lots of big dances.” There will be two showings on december 12 and 13. For more details contact the centre on 0121 236 2997.

Watch out for shepherds... reSIdeNTS of Coventry may find themselves bumping into a shepherd or wise man this Christmas as a church in the town brings Christmas alive. Instead of the usual nativity, Coventry elim is putting on a Christmas fun day where members of the church will be dressed up as people out of the Christmas story and interact with the crowd.

games A ssoc iate Pastor He le n Smallwood said: “The whole idea is about bringing Christmas alive to the people. We have all the biblical characters dressed up, walking around in character. The shepherds play games with the children and the Salvation Army will be singing carols.”

Leader’s faith TOrY leader david Cameron said his Christian faith was a good guide to get through life. He said: “I think the teachings of Jesus are a good guide to help us through.” Ca me ron added t hat churches had a ‘very important’ role to play in society.

NEW LIFE

Issue 190 • NEW LIFE 9

Prisoners show Your free gift! spirit of season HEALTHY LIFE... Ken Davies who was healed as a boy

InMATEs at a high security jail shock a special visitor every christmas – by sending him gifts and cards. Although it’s a tough time of year to be behind bars, the prisoners at jails across the globe always stun martin Tuson with their generosity. As well as handmade cards, martin, of County Antrim, receives paintings and artwork from jailbirds who want to show their appreciation for his work throughout the year. martin is a regular visitor to HmP maghaberry, near Lisburn, Northern Ireland, where he talks about his faith in Jesus Christ and writes poetry to inspire inmates. And he also writes to Third World prisoners and visits other jails around the world as part of his ministry. He said: “I get contacted by prisoners all the time and get lots of beaut i fu l ha nd made Ch ristmas ca rds, especia l ly from the prisoners I write to in Thailand and Africa. “From prisoners in the British Isles, I get a lot of proper paintings on canvasses and it means I get to put them up in work. “The guys at work ask me about them and it’s just another chance to share the gospel.” martin, who is a toolroom machinist, hopes to one day to be able to work full-time on prison ministry. But until then he will continue to visit prisons to give hope to the inmates and tell them about his Christian faith. during his nine years as a prison visitor he has seen many miracles, including seeing one prisoner who was healed after suffering problems w ith h is elbow. martin said: “I was con-

Martin Tuson, above, who receives paintings from inmates at HMP Maghaberry

fronted by a man who said, ‘I’m one of those who has to see it to believe it.’ I answered, ‘you’ll see it now’ and prayed for him, his elbow was healed.” The pr isone r t he n spoke about his healing to other inmates who asked when martin would be visiting. And prison warders have also seen their ailments healed after being prayed for by martin. He said: “I had been praying for some prisoners who weren’t Christians but had shoulder and

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neck problems, when a prison officer called roy heard about them getting healed. “roy had a misaligned spine and no belief in God, let alone in his power to heal. “When I prayed for him, his spine was straightened right in front of me! He broke down into tears.” martin has written a book and produced a dVd about his ministry, Set Free Prison ministries. For details, visit www. setfreebangor.co.uk

COMMENT

FOR some, Christmas is the time of year to ‘eat, drink and be merry’. Others who live alone or have recently lost loves ones, however, find it tough as they get through those days that have become synonymous with spending time with your nearest and dearest. There are many who don’t think about Christmas as anything more than a day where they don’t need to work. With much of these personal ‘traditions’ there is something seriously missing – the Christ in Christmas. With such a barrage of advertising and demands for the latest ‘must have’ toys, it’s not surprising that people forget why Christians celebrate Christmas. But it is something we would do well to remember. OK, Jesus might not have been born on December 25 and he never asked anyone to remember his birthday, but it’s a time when Christians celebrate the fact that God sent his son to earth to save us from our sins. Even those we commit today. So while you’re unwrapping those gifts, enjoying (if that’s the right word) another sprout, or tucking into your Christmas pudding, remember why this date has become so well known. One gif t you are guaranteed this Christmas, if you haven’t already received it, is the love of God. It’s free, but to receive it you first of all must accept that Jesus died for your sins. Living with God at the centre of your life and doing his will is something you’ll never regret. So why not take a look at Page 6 of this newspaper to get guidance about what to do next, and check out an Alpha Course near you. No matter how you spend your Christmas, have a very peaceful and happy one. If you know someone is alone, pop around on Christmas day and tell them about the gift that is theirs if they choose to accept it.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 Editor: Peter Wreford Advertising: Barry Wilson

Editorial office: New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ, UK Email: editor@newlife.co.uk Telephone: 0115 824 0777 Website: www.newlife.co.uk

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Issue 190

NEW LIFE CLASSIFIEDS WANT TO EXPLORE CHRISTIANITY, BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN? KEEP THIS PAGE TO HELP YOU FIND A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE... ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs. Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm. Enquiries: 0161 282 6676. (CA09) ASHFORD Ashford Christian Fellowship Worship Centre, 23 Tufton Street. Sundays: 9.30-11.30am (inc. children’s facilities) & 12.00-1.15pm (no children’s facilities). Enquiries: 01233 334007. (CF57) B U R Y S T ED MU N D S, Suffolk. The Christian Resource Centre (a Pentecostal church). Oakes Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6PX. www. crcministries.co.uk 01284 761000. Service times: Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. All the family will be made (EQ05) very welcome. CANTERBURY Trinity Community Church. Meetings Sundays 10.45am at St Stephen’s Junior School, Hales Place, Canterbury. Tel: 01227 459 785. (CA06)

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CHATTERIS FenLife Christian Church. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. King Edward Centre, Railway Lane, CHATTERIS. 01480 385001. www.fenlife.org.uk (EQ51)

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For information on other meetings phone Allan Smith 01634 264410 (CF42)

HUDDERSFIELD Elim Pentecostal Church, Grace Centre, 23 St Johns Road, Huddersﬁeld HD1 5BW welcomes you to their Sunday services 10.30am and 6.30pm. TE: 01484 535 554 Web Site: www.huddelim.org.uk

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READING Assemblies of God Christian Centre (Mount Zion). Sundays 11am and 6.30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30pm. Enquiries Tel: 01252 872 754.

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RETFORD Retford New Life Church Centre, 26-32 Bridgegate, Retford, Notts. Morning Meetings 9.30am & 11.30am. Children’s Church 9.30am & 11.30am. Sunday Evenings 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact 01777 711377. (CA36) RUSHDEN Full Gospel Church. High Street South, Rushden. A family Church that loves God, each other and those in the community. Sundays 10.45am & 6pm. Enquiries telephone: 01933 418 002. (DC19)

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ISLE OF WIGHT – Manna Christian Fellowship. The Music Room, Bishop Lovett School, Appley Road, Ryde. Sundays 11am and 6.30pm Tel 01983 564 845 (CB48)

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LEICESTER Narborough Road Christian Fellowship. Meet at Manor House, Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome. (AB25) LEICESTER Apostolic Church New Life Centre, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NF. Main services: Sunday 10.30am worship, Bible ministry and Communion. Wednesday 8pm Bible study and prayer. Pastor Richard Forman telephone 0116 275 2582 everyone welcome. (CW05)

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LONG EATON Oasis Christian Centre, Derby Road. 10am & 6pm. Come and enjoy the dynamic worship and a warm welcome. God centred, Purpose driven, People empowering. Enquiries: Church Ofﬁce 0115 9460463

SHANKLIN Isle of Wight, Living Waters Fellowship, 29, Victoria Avenue. Sundays 2.30pm (Service). Wednesday Home Group 10.30am (Bible Study). Thursdays 10.30am (Prayer) 7.30pm Monthly also Saturdays 7.30pm Monthly (Intercessory Praise & Worship). Enquiries & Newsletter (01983) 863683, livingwaters.iw@btinternet.com or livingwaters.iw@gmail.com. (CA52)

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Issue 190 •

LINVOY PRIMUS

The inside track on faith in football

Christians do more than just go to church! MANY people who have yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour believe that if they did their lives will become one long round of churchgoing! Don’t get me wrong here, I love my church, where I can socialise with friends and enjoy the opportunity of worshipping God. But the real truth is that being a Christian doesn’t begin when you enter church, it begins when you come out through the doors. Those of us who have handed our lives over to the Lord are – or should be – very aware that there are many more of us walking around the world than there are non-Christians walking around the church. Christians sometimes stick with their own inside the four walls of their church when they could be showing the love that only Christ can give outside of it. It’s understandable. The United Kingdom has become a tough place for Christians who too often are finding themselves pushed on to the back foot by atheists, agnostics and the politically correct brigade. The natural reaction is to gather inside a comfort zone c a l l e d ‘c h u r c h’, where v iews ca n be exchanged with p e o pl e w h o a r e more likely to agree with us. B ut t h e r e a r e m a ny C h r ist ia n s who do a huge amount of working in the community and find that Christ’s words, “It’s better to give than receive” are 100 per cent correct. For me, the whole point of being a Christian is to spread Jesus’ message as loudly as possible, and sometimes I might even have to use words! Actions do indeed speak much louder, and at this time of the year there are many who will be looking to the Christian community for help. The Salvation Army with their hostels and food relief programmes for the homeless do an amazing work and there are many others who are actively involved. I’m sure that Christ would be on the streets were he on the earth this Christmas, and as he’s not it’s up to his followers to be there for him. Many people who don’t know Jesus believe that church is stuffy and dull. That is not always true – there are many exciting churches with great music and terrific preachers. I’m pleased to be a part of one. But for me – and for you once you have declared yourself a follower of Jesus – the real work will start when you exit the church doors rather than when you enter them. Have a great Christmas! Remember the man who came to earth as a baby to save your soul on that first Christmas Day... and of course on a less important level, I hope your team wins on Boxing Day!

THANK GOD I’VE BECOME A HIT... by Ian White

Globe Globe-trotting USA basketball star Philip brooks thanks God every day after becoming an instant hit at his new club.

Giving thanks... Philip Brooks relaxes in the Canary Islands. Right, Philip in training for his new club

Even though the 25-year-old point guard admits to not even having heard of the Canary Islands – his new home – when of offered an opportunity with Club Deportivo Magec Tias of Lanzarote in the summer, he soon settled in. Brooks, who was top scorer for Aschersle Aschersleben Tigers in Germany last season, didn’t take long to set records at Tias, as it’s the club’s first season at national level in their 15-year history. When Tias recorded their opening vic victory in the League EBA of the Federación de Baloncesto, 79-76 at home to Alcoron of Madrid in September, Brooks, from Dallas, Texas, netted 39 points. Speaking after the success, he said: “I always thank God. I’ve developed a strong relationship with the Lord. I have faith in him for the things I pray for and believe he has more stuff planned for me.”

Christ would be on the streets were he on the earth this Christmas... ❜

LINVOY WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL READERS A VERY PEACEFUL AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS

11

ACE HELPING NEW CLUB MAKE HISTORY

❛ I’m sure that

Linvoy was talking to Hugh Southon

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

delighted He added that he’d been used to going to church – and “everything that goes with it” – from birth. But it was only about two years ago he became a committed Christian. “I went my own way for a while but my folks are delighted I’ve settled down and are really proud of my achievements in Spain so far,” he admitted. Brooks amazingly found himself at an English-speaking church within two weeks of arriving on the island in August. He said: “It was incredible. What would have been our first game was cancelled and I was introduced to club worker Ljiljana Tomaíc as she spoke English. “Before I knew it she said she had to leave for church, to which I said I think I need to go with you.” They were joined by his new colleague from Lithuania, 26-year-old, 7ft Arvy Arvydas Vaitiekus, who was introduced to the club by the same agent.

Coaching move is will of God FAITH TO MY KOR!

● From back Page code. And Sale have good reason to bel ieve “Bi l ly Wh izz” w i l l de l ive r for them again – this time from the dugout. Ro bi n s on a d m it s h e can barely believe he is in the job, working alongside director of rugby Kingsley Jones and coaching a host of ex-England team mates. “One of the mistakes I made was saying I’d never do it,” he said. “You have

to be more open-minded than that. “The very thing I thought I wouldn’t do, the Lord has roped me into doing. I was happy to retire when I did but after about a year I knew I needed to get back into something. “I had stopped training and my body was saying, ‘Hang on a minute what’s going on here?’ “I was praying about it to see where the Lord wanted me to be and out of the

blue Kingsley calls me and said, ‘I want you to be head coach’.” Robinson knows that he will have an incredible urge to join the action and said: “That helplessness during a game takes some getting used to.” “Emotionally you’re all over the place. You go from one end of the scale to the other and I’m having to learn to deal with that. But hopefully, with time, I’ll get better.”

Group’s all set to make Olympic effort EAGER Christians are already planning ways of spreading the gospel at the London 2012 Olympics. Lay Witnesses for Christ International (LWFCI) president Dr Sam Mings

explained: LWFCI in each Olympic city gets teamed with a major city church, so it becomes a local mission effort and this is a key to the Lord’s awesome blessings.”

● Continued from back Page who are suffering, we do unto him. So for us to give gifts to Christ, we are to give gifts to the poor, to those who are sick in the hospital, to those who are needy. “So my idea for Christmas this year was not really my family or not really myself, but was pretty much the poor or orphans or people who didn’t have much of anything. “So that’s why I collected a lot of tennis shoes and running shoes from the track and field team. I took 30 pairs of shoes, and I was bringing them to people. “I preached in two churches, tried to teach people about Christmas, and then on Christmas day I brought food, clothes and everything people need and went to different houses, four houses of poor people who didn’t have anything, who were sick, and there were a lot of kids I was able to distribute shoes to. So that was really fun, preaching in a church at Christmas.”

Issue 190 • NEW LIFE 12

NEW LIFE

SPORT

HAVE A PEACEFUL AND ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS

tH BasKetBall tHe player HelpinG His H neW CluB Hit neW HiGHs H paGe 11 – see pa

my faith running right to my kor!

NEW LIFE

don’t miss pompey star linvoy primus’ Great Column – turn to paGe 11 Runderful... Wesley Korir powers ahead in the LA Marathon earlier this year

Jason Robinson has described his move into rugby union coaching as “the will of the Lord.” The rugby league star (pictured below) who switched codes is a devout Christian and is as amazed as everyone else at his move into coaching having previously declared no interest in such a career! He has now returned to Edgeley Park, though, with the worthy aim of helping others reach the heights he did and he admits: “It feels like history repeating itself.” He added: “It’s almost like me coming across into rugby union again. Back then when I switched from league to union I said I had a lot to learn and that it was going to take time. The same goes for now. “I’ve 17 years’ playing experience but I’m new to this. I’ve got to realise that although I played at a high level, a lot of guys aren’t at that level. I’ve got to understand where they’re at as players and encourage them to be better. “I’ve tasted what it’s like to be at the top and I want them to taste that as well. “I don’t know everything, in fact there’s plenty I don’t know and don’t claim to know. But I’m working hard and learning from some good people.” Robinson adopted an identical attitude when he joined Sale from Wigan in October 2000 saying: “Don’t call me a superstar, I’m just a novice.” But within four months he had been capped by England, within a year he was a British Lion, within three he was a World Cup winner. On retirement he had won 51 caps, captained England, led Sale to Premiership glory and cemented his position as one of the greats of either ● Continued on Page 11

Marathon star: We should give not get at Christmas Strange as it may seem, Kenyan marathon runner Wesley Korir says he aspires to be like american actor Chuck norris. In a hard-hitting interview, the marathon and cross-country star revealed: “I’ve never known why Chuck Norris has been my favourite actor. But there were times I prayed, “Make me like Chuck Norris.” And now I know why he’s my favourite, because he saves people.” Wesley is talking about winning people for Christ rather than how tough man Norris rescues people on screen. The radical Christian puts God first in his life, saying that faith in God is much more important than any financial benefits his career might bring him.

“My goal in life is not to be a millionaire,“ said Korir, who became a first-time homeowner over the summer. “My goal is to do what God wants me to do and to do it with passion. If God wants me to be a maintenance guy right now, I’m doing it – and I’m doing it with passion and giving it 100 per cent. I give everything I do 100 per cent.” After his recent LA Marathon win, he also looked to follow a tradition started by previous successful African marathoners – that of using his prize money to help people in his homeland. Specifically, he wants to start an orphanage in his hometown of Kitale, Kenya. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I was born into a very poor family. My passion is to help poor children.

God is giving me an opportunity to make a difference.” And last Christmas, he was sure to put his faith into action. He revealed: “I had really good plans for Christmas last year. I went to Canada before I went home to talk to high school kids about Christmas. And I had this idea of Christmas – the way we are celebrating these days, for Christians, is not what it is supposed to be. “It is not about getting gifts, because it is celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. So if you are celebrating someone’s birthday, you are taking them gifts. “Yet now we expect to get gifts on Christmas Day, but we are not Jesus. And Jesus, in Matthew 24, says that whatever we do to these little ones, the poor, the hungry, those who don’t have clothes or ● Continued on Page 11

Coaching move was God’s will

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