Why Christmas? and discover why. G K Chesterton ( ) Generally Speaking (London, Methuen, 1928)

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2 Why Christmas? The great majority of people will... keep Christmas Day with Christmas gifts and Christmas benedictions; they will continue to do it; and some day suddenly wake up and discover why. G K Chesterton ( ) Generally Speaking (London, Methuen, 1928)

3 A glorious event foretold Some 700 years before Jesus walked on Earth, words from the prophet Micah foretold not just his birth, but the town where he would be born. But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel. Micah 5:2 (NRSV)

4 In Bethlehem a child is born While they were there, the time came for Mary to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 (NRSV)

5 Room for Christ? As the palace and the inn have no room for Christ, and as the places of public resort have none, have you room for Christ? Well, one says, I have room for him, but I am not worthy that he should come to me. Ah! I did not ask about worthiness; but have you room for him? Charles Haddon Spurgeon ( )

6 Shepherds quake Silent night, holy night: shepherds first saw the light, heard resounding clear and long, far and near, the angel-song: Christ the Redeemer is here! Josef Mohr ( ) Singing the Faith 217 v.2, translated by Stopford Augustus Brooke ( )

7 Let us go to Bethlehem When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (NRSV)

8 Led by the star After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. Matthew 2:1-2 (NRSV)

9 They brought gifts to Jesus When from the East the wise men came, led by the Star of Bethlehem, the gifts they brought to Jesus were of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Bright gold of Ophir, passing fine, proclaims a king of royal line; for David s son in David s town, is born the heir of David s crown. John Henry Hopkins ( ) Book of Praise for Sunday Schools: ed G W Shinn and H B Day (New York, Thomas Whittaker, 1893)

10 The gift of Christmas Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NRSV) God s gifts put man s best dreams to shame. Elizabeth Barrett Browning ( ) God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it. Pope Francis (born 1936) All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ. David Jeremiah (born 1941)

11 The first nativity play Nativity plays are a much loved feature of Christmas. As children many of us take part in them. As adults we enjoy watching children performing in them. But back in the early thirteenth century they didn t exist. It is widely believed the tradition began with St Francis of Assisi in Following a visit to Bethlehem, St Francis was inspired to stage the first nativity play in a cave in Greccio, Italy. Using humans and animals to play the key roles, he aimed to bring the Christmas story to life in a powerful new way. Word quickly spread and local people arrived with torches and candles to join him in celebrating Christ s birth. His idea proved popular and soon communities across Italy and beyond were creating similar events.

12 The calypso carol See him lying on a bed of straw; draughty stable with an open door, Mary cradling the babe she bore; the Prince of Glory is his name: O now carry me to Bethlehem to see the Lord of love again; just as poor as was the stable then, the Prince of Glory when he came. Michael Perry ( ) Singing the Faith 216 v.1 and refrain Words: Michael Perry Mrs B Perry / The Jubilate Group. used by permission.

13 From Kent to the Caribbean Despite its distinctive Caribbean flavour, the calypso carol was the work of English hymn writer, Michael Perry, originally from Beckenham in Kent. He wrote it for a Christmas concert in 1964, while a student at Oak Hill Theological College. In 1983, the Caribbean island of Nevis celebrated his work by featuring the carol s chorus on a miniature sheet of its Christmas stamps. Stamp designs by Jennifer M Toombs MCSD

14 Joy to the world Joy to the world, the Lord is come! let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Isaac Watts ( ) Singing the Faith 330 v.1 Some businessmen are saying this could be the greatest Christmas ever. I always thought that the first one was. Art Fettig (born 1929) Used by permission.

15 Greetings from around the world The Methodist Church in Britain is part of a worldwide movement with a total membership of over 80 million. In some of our many languages, we wish you

16 This booklet is available as a PowerPoint presentation and can be downloaded from For more information about the Methodist Church and its work throughout the world, please visit Design and production: Methodist Publishing, on behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain, registered charity no Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 2015 Further copies are available in packs of 50 for 5 (plus p&p) from Methodist Publishing 13a Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 5DR Tel: Web: PA619-CT-15 All photographs & illustrations: 2015 Thinkstock, unless stated otherwise. Page 5 The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt Manchester City Galleries/Bridgeman Images.