So what is Christmas all about? Without giving a lecture or sermon.
Christmas is God opting into the messiness of the world and not exempting himself from it. (Me)
The former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, put it like this:
God is. God is as he is in Jesus. So, there is hope.
And the unsurpassed poet-songwriter-musician Bruce Cockburn writes:
Like a stone on the surface of a still river, driving the ripples on for ever, redemption rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.
Nuff said.
December 23, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Would be nice if you could bring Bradford Diocese to the Web with each parish actually having a live Website. Perhaps even a list of Carol Services so Christian souls could attend.
Maybe even Webcams and PdFs to download with forms for Weddings, Christenings etc or even sample Order of Service templates.
There is so much that could be done with the Web in moribund Bradford instead of it looking like a faded noticeboard of byegone Britain.
A Blogging Bishop might persuade an Archbishop to sponsor such a project for Yorkshire, it is clear a template is needed for the pathetic parishes which make up a dying Diocese – it is as if they simply cannot be bothered. Evangelism is too demanding, but even Information dissemination appears too taxing for the soporific congregations.
A Spark is needed to generate a Flame to illumine
December 23, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Bereft,
Your choice of words seems to say more about you than about Bradford. We will give attention to all aspects of how the church there communicates, but I think there is much that is encouraging. And, so far, no one seems to have been negative about getting a blogging bishop. Happy christmas!
December 23, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I think they’re jolly fortunate to be getting a blogging Bishop! I hope they respond positively!
Anne.
December 24, 2010 at 9:12 am
Can always rely on Cockburn to deliver the goods. Have a joyous Christmas Nick.
December 24, 2010 at 9:37 am
a beautiful post Nick – and also congratulations on the new appointment.
God bless and may the new year be full of God given surprises
December 24, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Thank you for those few simple words!
December 24, 2010 at 7:31 pm
“Your choice of words seems to say more about you than about Bradford.”
Hardly. Your conclusions are superficial and drawn from limited information. Deeper analysis is always beneficial and you will have ample time to see why it is so hard to know what is actually happening in each parish…almost a secret society….you are an insider, empty pews can only be filled by outsiders
December 24, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Isn’t it great to see that there are still the curmudgeonly around even at Christmas. Somethings never change. A great post Bishop and great encouragement to a Diocese of faithful and hard working Christians, no doubt. Blogging is terrific but it doesn’t replace a fellowship of loving, accepting Christians who celebrate and live to understand the Christmas story in their community. God Bless you all.
December 25, 2010 at 7:05 pm
c2drl – yes, but there is room for both.
Anne.