The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7605
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
THIS will be the first Christmas for three years that will not have the shadow of Covid-19 hanging over it. Although the virus is still present in society, people should be free to mix with friends and families over the festive season – if they can afford to. In survey findings published last month, The Salvation Army revealed that almost seven in ten people are worried about having enough money for a Christmas dinner this year. The survey, which was carried out for the church and charity by Savanta ComRes, also found that nearly one in six people expects to use a food bank for some of their festive food, while one in seven is struggling to afford a Christmas present for their children. It’s a bleak picture, and The Salvation Army is working hard to support people during the current cost of living crisis by supplying emergency food parcels and providing gifts to children who would otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas Day. As well as giving such practical help in these desperate times, The Salvation Army wants to remind people of the hope they can have because of the birth of Jesus that is celebrated at this time of year. The tiny, vulnerable baby – who is remembered as lying in an animal’s feeding trough because his parents had nowhere else to put him – was God coming into the world. And God lived among ordinary people in order to tell them how much he loved and cared for them. For many people, life at the moment can seem incredibly bleak. But God still loves and cares for us all today and wants us to know the hope and light that only he can bring into our lives. The true gift of Christmas is the loving relationship we can experience with God, who will help ad the War C and guide us through even the toughest e re ry u’v of times – and it’s a gift that is offered to each one of us.
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Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper
INFO Your local Salvation Army centre
FEATURES
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Signed, sealed, delivered Stamps tell the story of the birth
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of Jesus 4
Distance learning A seasonal message
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All I want for Christmas What makes the ultimate gift list?
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Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
From the editor’s desk
When yo
What is The Salvation Army?
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A manger seen Nativity takes place on a farm
12 ‘Life now is beautiful’ How The Salvation Army helped someone living with addiction REGULARS 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen