War Cry 19 December 2020

The Queen thanks The Salvation Army

19 December 2020 20p/25c

Look who’s in lockdown Vicar of Dibley writer tells why Geraldine has gone online Stars sing UK’s favourite carols

What is The Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church

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

EDITOR From From the editor’s desk

GROWN-UPS have only a few more days left of coping with their children’s mounting excitement. Christmas Day arrives on Friday. Many of those adults will be able to recall their own excitement when, as children, they waited for the visit of Santa and the thrill of unwrapping their presents.

They may also be able to recall the following days when their parents encouraged them to sit down and write thank-you letters to the friends and relatives who had sent them a gift. For many of those young scribes, it was a chore of the post-Christmas week, but the people who received those letters appreciated the thanks they contained.

Being told ‘thank you’ is encouraging – particularly when the expression of gratitude comes unexpectedly. As we report in this week’s War Cry, last week the Queen publicly thanked The Salvation Army for the work it has carried out during the pandemic and over this Christmas period.

It had not been expected and none of the members, volunteers or employees of the church and charity who had helped individuals and communities did so in order to receive such high praise. But the Queen’s gratitude was a source of encouragement.

The Salvation Army is motivated to help others by the Christian faith of its members. They believe that the baby whose birth is celebrated every Christmas grew up to be a man who changed the world, in part through his teaching to love others.

As what has been a difficult and challenging year for so many people comes to an end, individuals and communities can be sure that The Salvation Army will continue to support anyone who needs its help in 2021 and beyond.

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Contents

Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org

FEATURES 3

More TV vicar

Geraldine Granger returns with classic comedy

8

Not a silent night

Songs of Praise reveals the UK’s favourite carols

10

Peace on Earth

A seasonal message from the international

leader of The Salvation Army

REGULARS 6

War Cry World

12

Team Talk

13

Bible Series

14 Puzzles 15

War Cry Kitchen

Front-page picture: BBC/Tiger Aspect Productions/Des Willie

INTERVIEW

Co-writer of The Vicar of Dibley PAUL MAYHEW-ARCHER tells Claire Brine why Geraldine Granger is preaching sermons during lockdown

F

Dawn French plays Geraldine

ROM the cosiness of her living room, Geraldine Granger is about to deliver her final online sermon to the nation.

‘It really has been the strangest year ever,’ she reflects, in the final instalment of The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown, scheduled to be shown on Monday (21 December) on BBC One. ‘Yet on we go. And maybe there will be some changes for the good.’

Her parishioners are hoping so. Life in lockdown has been a struggle for the Dibley villagers for a long time. Online sermons from the vicar have proved to be a great source of encouragement – reminding them to be more forgiving, to ‘love the ones you’re with’ and to appreciate each God-given day. (Even when that day involves getting a lopsided haircut from village farmer Owen Newitt.)

For fans of the long-running comedy series, starring Dawn French, the return of Geraldine Granger has also brought some much-needed light relief at the end of a difficult year.

Paul Mayhew-Archer, who has been writing the sitcom with Richard Curtis since its beginnings in 1994, tells me why it felt right to bring the vicar back.

‘When Richard and I wrote a one-off Vicar of Dibley special for Comic Relief and Children in Need’s Big Night In earlier this year, it seemed to strike a chord with people,’ he says. ‘The script was funny, but it also seemed to reflect the mood of the country. We were all in isolation back then.

‘We thought about doing more of these short

Turn to page 4

➥

Paul Mayhew-Archer

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 3

BBC/Tiger Aspect Productions/Des Willie

Sitcom writer sees funny side of faith

From page 3 specials, thinking Geraldine could take us through the entire year. It was a strange experience, because we were filming before we knew how the rest of the year would go. But the episodes also gave us a chance to reflect on the years since The Vicar of Dibley finished in 2007. We were able to say something about Alice.’

In last Monday’s lockdown special, Geraldine paid tribute to the verger of St Barnabas’s Church, her trusty sidekick and best friend, Alice Horton (née Tinker), played by Emma Chambers.

‘The death of Emma was such a shock to us and to the whole country,’ says Paul.

‘She had no idea how adored she was as an actress. Although she died a few years ago, we were able to talk about her death in terms of the loss felt by Geraldine.

She reflected the way we all feel when we lose people, as we have done this year. And she highlighted how we have to try to get through our grief, using humour to help us.’

Since the series started in 1994, viewers have marvelled at The Vicar of Dibley’s ability to have them

laughing one minute and crying the next. It depicts a vicar who takes on the challenge of eating four Christmas dinners, and who delivers chocolate eggs to her parishioners while dressed as the Easter Bunny.

But she is also serious about social justice, convincing the villagers to get behind political campaigns such as Make Poverty History and, in last week’s episode, Black Lives Matter.

‘Geraldine is a good person, essentially,’ Paul explains. ‘She’s warm and affectionate. She’s not distant. People can relate to her. She’s a vicar who knows what’s going on in the world. She’s a sensible person surrounded by all these lunatics.

‘I remember that when we created the character, Dawn was keen that Geraldine shouldn’t be a goody-goody. She wanted her to have some naughty characteristics, such as a love of chocolate and the tendency to go a bit doolally when a handsome man is around. These are the things which enabled us to show her human side, as well as being funny to watch.’

While Geraldine does

BBC/Tiger Aspect Productions/Des Willie

People can relate to Geraldine

James Fleet returns as parishioner Hugo in the new series alongside Dawn French 4 • War Cry • 19 December 2020

her best to love the Lord and serve her parishioners, fans of the show are relieved to see that here’s a vicar who’s far from perfect. Paul says it was important to give the character some faults.

‘We did an episode where Geraldine speaks to the press about Dibley, prompting a journalist to write a feature portraying the villagers as mad,’ he remembers. ‘She then feels ashamed for letting her parishioners down.

‘In another episode, Geraldine falls for David Horton’s brother and has a fling with him. When he eventually dumps her, we feel for her. That’s the thing you can’t forget about when writing comedy: the priority is to make people laugh, but we also need to care about the characters.’

Another part of Geraldine’s character that Paul took great care to get right was her faith. It’s something he greatly respects.

‘I was brought up in the Church of England, so when I wrote The Vicar of Dibley I was able to draw on my own

INTERVIEW © BBC

The original ‘Vicar of Dibley’ cast

experiences,’ he says. ‘I remember being 16 years old and helping the vicar to serve Communion at the Christmas Eve midnight service. I handed him the box of wafers, which he consecrated, and then he handed them back to me, ready to give out to the congregation. But I opened the box upside down, causing all these wafers to tumble on to the floor. The congregation had to wait for the vicar and me to gather up all these wafers, and in the meantime the organist was playing his entire repertoire in the background. It was so embarrassing.’

Finding the humour within the serious is what Paul enjoys in writing The Vicar of Dibley. He relies on laughter to help him deal with Parkinson’s, a disease with which he was diagnosed in 2011.

‘I often make jokes about having Parkinson’s, because we need to give ourselves permission to laugh as much as possible,’ he says. ‘It’s good for us. When I was 20, my mother died after a long illness, and during that time there was very little laughter in our house. Losing her is what inspired me to use comedy as a way of dealing with serious illness.

‘I believe the capacity to find

funny moments during grim times is an extraordinary gift. I don’t know whether it comes from God or the human spirit, but the world is full of funny experiences and those are the moments we need to cherish.’

Paul recalls a time when an episode of The Vicar of Dibley brought some muchneeded laughter to a viewer feeling lost and in despair.

‘This lady shook my hand and thanked me for saving her life,’ he says. ‘She told me that after the death of her husband, she felt so depressed that she wanted to end it all. But then she added: “The Vicar of Dibley came on telly, and I laughed so much that I decided life was worth living.”

It was an incredibly humbling moment.’

As 2020 draws to a close – a year Paul describes as ‘difficult for all of us’ – it seems that the words of Geraldine Granger continue to bring comfort and joy to people who are struggling. Her lockdown sermons, while making people smile, are full of hope derived from the teachings of Jesus.

‘Her message is simple,’ Paul says.

‘Stick together. Don’t give up. Keep the faith. Be patient. Be tolerant. Be understanding. And love one another.’

And, last but not least: ‘Bless you for watching.’

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 5

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WAR

The Queen talks with Bandmaster Paul Sharman and Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill

Salvation Army work receives royal seal of approval THE Queen has thanked The Salvation Army for its frontline service in communities across the United Kingdom during the coronavirus pandemic.

At an event held in the grounds of Windsor Castle to recognise charity and key workers for their work during the pandemic and over Christmas, the Queen was accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Princess Royal. A Salvation Army band, led by Bandmaster Paul Sharman, played a selection of carols, and the leaders of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom, Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill, spoke to the Queen about the church and charity’s work in supporting DAME Judi Dench, Jason Donovan and Strictly vulnerable people.

Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood ‘It was an honour to meet Her Majesty on behalf were among those in the star-studded line-up at of The Salvation Army and as a representative The Salvation Army’s online concert. Christmas at of all voluntary organisations who have done Home featured readings from actors Lee Mead, Colin so much incredible service throughout the Salmon, Susie Blake and Dame Patricia Routledge. pandemic,’ said Commissioner Anthony Cotterill.

Princess Eugenie also took part, reflecting on ‘I am greatly heartened that The Salvation Army’s her visit to a Salvation Army safe house for victims support for rough sleepers, survivors of human of modern slavery. This year, the organisation has trafficking, struggling families and isolated older continued to support survivors of modern slavery, people throughout this very difficult year has been as well as rough sleepers, struggling families and recognised. isolated older people.

‘Salvation Army volunteers, officers, members Usually held at the Royal Albert Hall, the concert and employees have worked tirelessly since March, also featured previous years’ performances by from providing food parcels for hungry families, to The Salvation Army’s International Staff Band and helping rough sleepers keep warm, to providing International Staff Songsters. vital doorstep friendship for the isolated – they Christmas at Home can be watched on The have been there no matter what. The Salvation Salvation Army’s Youtube channel at youtube.com/ Army has innovated and adapted to ensure our salvationarmyvideo, and highlights are also being front line of support has been there for those who broadcast on BBC local radio stations. need us.

‘Playing carols for the royal family was also a wonderful highlight during our busiest of seasons.’

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6 • War Cry • 19 December 2020

CRY

xsztWwxcxs THE BBC is to broadcast a number of programmes over Christmas that reflect the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus.

w Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo will tell x Season’s greetings from the stars will be part of the Christmas story, taken from the Gospel of Luke, on Christmas Day on BBC One. In On Christmas Night, Ashley relates how angels appeared to shepherds to tell the news of Jesus’ birth.

PA

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Programmes tell the Gospel story part of the Rev Kate Bottley’s Good Morning Christmas programme on Christmas Day on Radio 2. She will be reflecting on the story of Christmas and providing a soundtrack to the festive morning with a mix of songs and singalong carols.

x On Christmas Day, Radio 4 will broadcast a socially distanced retelling

of the Nativity, which starts with a donkey in a stable at Hackney City Farm in London. The Rev Richard Carter and the Rev Catherine Duce lead the Christmas Service, which was recorded at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, the farm and on location around Trafalgar Square.

x Aretha Franklin, the Kingdom Choir and

PA

Ashley Banjo

Mariah Carey are some of the artists who will feature on Mica’s Gospel Christmas on Christmas morning on Radio 2.

Soul singer Mica Paris returns to her gospel roots on the show, sharing the music she grew up listening to at home and in church.

Do you have a story to share?

w The Choir of King’s College

Cambridge will sing in BBC Two’s Carols from King’s on Christmas Eve. Although the programme was filmed without a congregation and with the choir socially distanced, viewers will still have the opportunity to enjoy music including the ‘Sussex Carol’, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, started by a solo chorister.

a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK TheWarCryUK

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Mica Paris

salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

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St Ives TV

NATIONAL and local media outlets reported on how the public responded generously after a fire destroyed Christmas gifts collected by The Salvation Army’s church in St Ives for families in need.

According to the BBC, about 180 parcels of toys and food were lost after the fire spread from a fish and chip shop next door to the Salvation Army building in the Cornish seaside town.

Within days, an appeal for people to help replace the destroyed items had exceeded £25,000, more than 23 times the target amount.

Lieutenant Nathan Loxley of the St Ives Salvation Army centre said the fire at the restaurant had been harrowing.

‘But,’ he added, ‘there has been hope in the middle of it all and there has been that real sense of people coming together. That’s how it has been for all of 2020.’

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THE Christian Church in England is ‘arguably the single most cohesive force in our society’, according to MP Danny Kruger.

Quoted in a new report about the Church’s role in building social cohesion within communities, the MP for Devizes added: ‘No other institution has its national breadth, its local depth or the diversity of its activity.’

The Church and Social Cohesion report was commissioned by thinktank Theos and the Free Churches Group, a collection of 26 Christian denominations including The Salvation Army. It is based on 361 interviews with individuals across 14 local authorities in England and several case studies.

Defining social cohesion as the strength of people’s collective relationships, the report says there are many ways that ‘churches are often working quietly and concertedly to enhance their communities’. Examples include forming networks that tackle social isolation and loneliness, providing vital spaces for community activities and offering a vision for change and transformation.

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 7

Carols bring to the world

Composer and choral director SIMON LOLE tells Claire Brine about the history of Christmas music

D

O you hear what I hear? The votes for the UK’s favourite Christmas carol have been counted, and the result will finally be revealed on BBC One’s Songs of Praise tomorrow (Sunday 20 December) as singers including Katherine Jenkins, Andrea Bocelli and the Kingdom Choir perform some of the chosen classics. Hark the glad sound!

‘Over 40,000 people voted for their favourites, which is an indication of the special place Christmas carols have in our hearts,’ longstanding presenter Aled Jones tells the War Cry. ‘It was a privilege to film at St Paul’s Cathedral and the top spot, he predicts it will be one of witness performances of our best-loved the more traditional carols, rather than a carols by such wonderful singers.’ contemporary offering.

To hear more about the country’s love ‘Carols such as “O Come, All Ye of carol singing, I caught up with Simon Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Lole, a choral conductor and arranger Sing” are usually the big hits,’ he says. who regularly works on Songs of Praise ‘And “In the Bleak Midwinter” is also and who is known by the production terribly popular. For a lot of people, team as a bit of a ‘carol expert’. While he Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without has no idea which festive classic will win those songs.

Hark! The

Simon Lole ‘Personally, I find it hard to pick out a favourite. I love all the carols by John Rutter. For me, he’s Mr Christmas. I’m also very fond of French contemporary carols, because I find them exciting and challenging musically. But I think something like “Silent Night” or “O Holy Night” might come out on top this year.’

Simon remembers with fondness the years he spent singing carols as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral. He believes that the sense of nostalgia evoked by carol singing is a huge factor in their popularity.

‘Many people are familiar with carols because they sang them at primary school,’ he explains.

‘So when these simple tunes come back each

Her ald

An

g el s

S i ng Aled Jones presents ‘Songs of Praise’ from St Paul’s 8 • War Cry • 19 December 2020

INTERVIEW

joy OC

ome All Ye Faithful

year, and we hear them again and again, they feel special to us.

‘I also think that, whether people are religious or not, the Christmas story has been part of our country’s psyche for centuries – and carol music tells that story.’

While many carols and their tunes have been designed to be easy to sing, getting to grips with their history is not so straightforward. Simon tells me, carols were not always necessarily associated with Christmas.

‘Originally, a carol was a ring dance,’ he says. ‘People stood in a circle to sing a refrain, then a verse, then a refrain and another verse, making it nice and easy for everyone. Back then, carols were pagan songs, sung throughout the seasons.

It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that they became more associated with the Christmas story. Communities would get together to sing, drink and make merry, until the Puritans banned all that.’

By the Victorian era, Christmas festivities were undergoing a transformation in the UK – and carols reflected the changes.

‘There was a huge interest in Christmas and a lot of composers who were keen to revise carols,’ says Simon.

‘Up until then, most carols had been

Katherine Jenkins and Andrea Bocelli perform on the programme

written in Latin and so they didn’t make much sense to poorly educated people.

But in Victorian times, pretty much all carols were written in English, making them accessible to everyone. A lot of the carols we sing today, such as “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “I Saw Three Ships” were written or redeveloped by Victorian composers.’

The fact that so many people continue to express fondness for singing carols that are centuries old convinces Simon that they have plenty of life left in them.

‘These carols have stood the test of time, so I don’t think people will let go of them,’ he says. ‘They are songs you can have a good old sing to. And there’s room for all kinds of other Christmas music. I don’t think carols will die out. People have great love for them.’

Many people also have faith in the nativity story at the heart of them, including Simon.

‘Christmas is a special time,’ he says, ‘and I am a man of faith, though my faith goes up and down a bit. I question things at times. But the words of carols can always be comforting.’

Originally a carol was a ring dance

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 9

A seasonal message from General Brian Peddle, international leader of The Salvation Army

A people T

HE year 2020 has been unique, interesting and challenging. We have lived through a global pandemic, the ramifications of which continue to impact our lives. We have witnessed the best of humanity as communities came together and helped to care for the vulnerable and those who needed to shield. We have seen the worst of humanity as racism cost lives and led to violent protests by demonstrators from varying viewpoints. All of this has combined to both exhilarate and exhaust us throughout this year.

It is into our messed-up, complex, everchanging, uncertain and perplexing world that Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace. Jesus was familiar with prejudice, oppressive political regimes, institutionalised religion and suffering.

So, although the man Jesus lived 2,000 years ago, his words still have relevance because he, as the Son of God, has an eternal perspective.

So, what did Jesus teach us about peace?

In the Sermon on the Mount, as he began his teaching ministry, Jesus said: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9 New International Version).

Then, in preparing his disciples for his departure and the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit, Jesus

10 • War Cry • 19 December 2020

GOOD NEWS

of peace says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27).

This is the same Jesus who spoke to the wind and waves, saying: ‘Peace, be still’ (Mark 4:39 King James Bible). To the woman who anointed his feet at Simon’s house, Jesus said: ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace’ (Luke 7:50 New International Version). After explaining many things to his disciples, Jesus said: ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).

Peace distinguishes the earthly existence of Jesus. In announcing his birth, the angels declared: ‘Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on Earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’ (Luke 2:14). As Jesus appeared to his followers after the Resurrection he would declare: ‘Peace be with you!’ (John 20:21).

If Jesus was so intent on sharing the peace of God with others, we must do the same, but we cannot share with others what we do not

first have for ourselves.

Consequently, we need to ensure we are living in relationship with God and receive his peace that is beyond our understanding, yet which keeps our hearts and minds secure in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:7).

It is from this position of peace, of keeping our focus upon God (see Isaiah 26:3), that we are able to experience the peace of God in the storms of life and share that peace with others. We are called children of God when we are peacemakers, peace-bringers and peacebuilders because we share the very essence and nature of God with others.

So, in this Advent season and beyond, let us be people of peace. May our very presence bring peace into rooms, situations and lives because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

May our words be words of peace because we share the words of God. Wherever you are and whatever situation you find yourself in, may you experience the peace of God today.

Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 11

EXPLORE

Prayerlink YOUR prayers are requested for Rosemary, who is in prison.

The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their ­circumstances. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, Lon­don SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

j

Becoming a Christian

There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God

Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.

Team talk Team talk

talk ‘ ’ ‘Diminished’ Christmas holds value Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

FOR all of us, Christmas this year will be ‘sadly diminished’, says Guardian writer Rachel Cooke. There will be ‘fewer people, less travelling, no parties.

And while this might not be ideal,’ she adds, ‘if there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s that it’s not as hard as you might imagine to ensure that small is beautiful’.

It’s a perspective worth considering. Perhaps the stripped-back Christmas of 2020 is going to be very different from the kind of Christmases we are used to. It’s sad to think that many families and friends will be celebrating apart from one another. But I like Rachel’s outlook, which is that ‘the love is still there, even if you can’t be in the room together. We’re connected to those we care about in a thousand ways, invisible threads that we’ll have cause to remember every time we pull a coffee Matchmaker from the box, or peel a satsuma, or worry about what to do with all that leftover gravy.’

I’ve experienced a low-key Christmas only once before. My baby girl was in hospital, and I spent a month by her cot side. I knew that outside the hospital walls, many people were enjoying the kind of cosy Christmas I longed for. I had a big case of SOMO (sadness of missing out).

But I wonder when Christmas Day started bringing with it the pressure to have the best time ever. The very first Christmas couldn’t have been more difficult. Mary gave birth to Jesus far away from home and had to lay him in a feeding trough because there was nowhere else to put him. As Christmases go, it was stressful. The celebration, with a handful of shepherds, was understated.

But the gift of Jesus, from our heavenly Father, changed the world for ever.

No matter what the future held, this tiny baby held the promise of hope, joy and peace.

This year, as we prepare for our diminished Christmas – fully aware of who or what’s missing from it – may we take a moment to reflect on that first Christmas Day and how out of something small came something beautiful.

Mary gave birth far from home

Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Amen

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Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army

Looking for help?

Contact details of a Salvation Army minister Name Address Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Or email your details and request to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk 12 • War Cry • 19 December 2020

EXPRESSIONS

BIBLE SERIES

q

quick quiz 1

What are the next two words

in the carol: ‘We three kings of Orient are/ Bearing gifts we ____’?

a 2

Who wrote the TV comedy show Gavin and Stacey?

3

What is the scientific name for the North Star?

4

Which poet wrote the story

5

What does the radio term

6

Who won the Tour de France

A Child’s Christmas in Wales?

DAB stand for?

this year?

ANSWERS

by Mal Davies

Sheep? What sheep?

H

AVE you ever been a shepherd? Let me rephrase that: have you ever played a shepherd? My moment of glory came in my Year 3 school Christmas play when I was officially listed in the programme as ‘Shepherd No 7’.

I played my role, I believed, with great empathy and realism and a depth of character well beyond my years. Oddly, even though I was prepared to sign autographs after my (almost) starring role, no such requests came.

The shepherds are central to the Bible’s account of that first Christmas, and I’ve long been intrigued by their role. Luke’s Gospel says they heard about Jesus’ birth from angels and then ‘hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger’ (Luke 2:16 New International Version). Then they spread the word before heading back to the field.

Which leaves me wondering: while they were gone, who looked after the sheep?

It seems they didn’t take the sheep with them (sheep don’t hurry!) and there’s no mention of a shepherd staying with the flock while the others left. It was the middle of the night, so maybe the sheep were happy just to keep dozing.

I suspect the sheep were abandoned because, for a time, the shepherds’ priorities changed. Tending sheep was important, but it paled into insignificance against seeing the Son of God and then telling others the good news.

The Bible contains many stories of people whose priorities changed when they had an encounter with Jesus – such as Zacchaeus, who went from being money-mad to giving money away (see Luke 19:1–10), and Saul, who changed from persecuting followers of Jesus to joining them (see Acts 9:1–22).

For many people, Jesus exists outside their life and priorities, but when they get to know him, everything changes. The Bible text says that the shepherds were scared when the angels appeared to them, but when they returned to their sheep they were glorifying and praising God. What happened in the middle to change them? They met Jesus.

Do your priorities need to change? Maybe you can start by asking yourself this Christmas: who is Jesus to you?

I suspect the sheep were abandoned

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 13

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3. Polaris. 4. Dylan Thomas.

5. Digital audio broadcasting. 6. Tadej Pogačar.

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PUZZLES

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Fling (4) 3. Pen point (3) 5. Diesel oil (4) 7. Boundary (9) 9. Den (4) 10. Bargain (4) 11. Tremble (5) 14. Brush (5) 15. Shaft (5) 17. Copying (5) 18. Planet (5) 19. Coagulated (5) 20. Follow (5) 23. Shut noisily (4) 25. Nautical mph (4) 27. Enlarged by lens (9) 28. Bucket (4)

8. Chastise (9) 11. Digging tool (5) 12. Wrong (5) DOWN 13. Bird of prey (5) 1. Make well (4) 14. Stitch (3) 2. Unpleasant 16. For what look (4) reason (3) 3. Whinny (5) 21. Child’s carer (5) 4. Shatter (5) 22. In poor health (5) 5. Perished (4) 23. Halt (4) 6. Face covering (4) 24. Post (4) 7. Impossible 25. Eager (4) wish (4, 5) 26. Speak (4) 29. Besides (3) 30. Cranny (4)

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

HONEYCOMB HONEYCOMB

5 4 8 3 6 7 2 8 9 5 6 3 5 2 6 3 9 7 5 8 3 9 9 1 2

1. Cold and unfriendly 2. Female relative 3. Chair for a sovereign 4. Prolonged painful experience 5. Large marine mammal 6. Country whose capital is Moscow

Answers

Wordsearch BLACK BEAUTY

CHARLOTTE’S WEB CURIOUS GEORGE

GOODNIGHT MOON

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Hurl. 3. Nib. 5. Derv.

7. Perimeter. 9. Lair. 10. Deal. 11. Shake.

14. Sweep. 15. Arrow. 17. Aping.

18. World. 19. Lumpy. 20. Ensue.

23. Slam. 25. Knot. 27. Magnified.

28. Pail. 29. Yet. 30. Nook.

DOWN: 1. Heal. 2. Leer. 3. Neigh.

4. Break. 5. Died. 6. Veil. 7. Pipe dream.

8. Reprimand. 11. Spade. 12. Amiss.

13. Eagle. 14. Sew. 16. Why. 21. Nanny.

22. Unfit. 23. Stop. 24. Mail.

25. Keen. 26. Talk.

HORRID HENRY

HONEYCOMB 1. Frosty. 2. Mother. 3. Throne.

4. Ordeal. 5. Walrus. 6. Russia.

LOST AND FOUND MATILDA

STUART LITTLE

THE ENCHANTED WOOD THE GRUFFALO

THE LITTLE PRINCE

THE SECRET GARDEN THE SNOWMAN

TREASURE ISLAND

1 3 8 6 5 7 9 2 4

5 6 7 4 2 9 8 1 3

4 9 2 3 1 8 7 6 5

6 7 1 8 3 5 2 4 9

3 2 9 1 4 6 5 8 7

8 5 4 9 7 2 1 3 6

9 4 5 2 8 3 6 7 1

7 8 3 5 6 1 4 9 2

2 1 6 7 9 4 3 5 8

SUDOKU SOLUTION

WINNIE-THE-POOH

9

3 4 3 9 5 1 2

14 • War Cry • 19 December 2020

6

9 4 3 5

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Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

Look up, down, forwards, backwards

1 and 5 diagonally 4 6 3on the 8 grid 9 to 7 find 2 these children’s books 3 6 9 7 2 5 4 8 1 8 7 2 1 9 4 5 3 6 T H E G R U F F A L O L J B H D H K E Q M R O H B S 6 4 3 F 8I U B Z O N B G G 1 9 2 5 7 C N C P L O J T C L A H O E E V V Q 5 2 1 3 4 7 8 6 9 N A H T H X D V Z H C P D G C A J D I M A R Z 7 P Q N O S 9 8 5 E R P R S 6 2 3 1Y W H 4 R W R E L H M B I H A N Z O D X Z A 9 8 7 2 5 1 6 4 3 P O L A Q P Z A T G R N Q E B P V B E N O S Y G Q E 2 1 6 T 4P H Z K G H L C H 8 3 7 9 5 L S T U J M I E V I R T N S G M S F 4 3 5 9 7 6 1 2 8 T E T R L N R U X Z L C M U R Q C S

T H E E N C H A N T E D W O O D H C I T S I E Z F I P X E C A I O G S G L Q W S H O R R I D H E N R Y N B S E G E L E L T T I L T R A U T S S H H H B A O G Y T U A E B K C A L B Z T V D N U O F D N A T S O L S U V X Y M P D A E W E X D P P A T R J N Z X P S F J Z W Q B R I X M H V Y W X

9

7

5 8 3

D Christmas leftovers burger with fried egg Ingredients

Method

2 brioche burger buns, sliced

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.

Butter

Spread some butter on the burger buns, then transfer to a roasting tray lined with baking parchment. Top the turkey slices with cheese, place next to the buns and warm in the oven for 5 minutes.

2 slices cooked turkey 2tbsp cranberry sauce 1tbsp chilli sauce 2 large British Lion eggs SERVES

4 lettuce leaves

2

2 slices cheddar cheese

Meanwhile, mix together the cranberry and chilli sauces in a small dish.

In a small frying pan, melt some butter and fry the eggs until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny.

Remove the burger buns and cheesy turkey slices from the oven.

Leftovers quiche Ingredients

Method

2tbsp olive oil

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.

1 onion, finely chopped 200g Brussels sprouts, finely sliced Salt and pepper 23cm savoury pastry case 8 cooked cocktail sausages, roughly chopped 3 large British Lion eggs 250ml milk 100ml double cream 50g Parmesan cheese, grated Sage leaves

To assemble the burgers, place lettuce leaves on the bottom halves of the buns, then add a cheesy turkey slice, a fried egg and 1tbsp spicy cranberry sauce on top of each. Cover with the top halves of the buns, to serve.

Heat 1tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, then cook the onion for 5 minutes. Add in the Brussels sprouts and cook for a further 5-7 minutes until both are soft. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Place the pastry case on a baking tray and scatter over the onion and sprouts mixture and the cocktail sausages.

In a large jug, beat together the eggs, milk, cream and 30g parmesan. Pour the mixture in the pastry case and scatter with the remaining 20g Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, until set.

Heat the remaining 1tbsp oil in a small frying pan over a mediumhigh heat and add a small handful of sage leaves. Fry for 2 minutes until crisp. Set aside.

Leave the quiche to cool for at least 1 hour. Once cool, decorate with the crispy sage leaves, to serve.

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the British Egg Information Service website eggrecipes.co.uk

SERVES

8

19 December 2020 • War Cry • 15

S

YOU Luke 2:11 (New International Version)

N BORN TO EE

A SAVIOUR H A

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