Well, we are now in the time of Advent, that time when we begin to prepare to celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth on that first Christmas Day, and we at St. Giles' hope that as many of you as possible will come to church over the Christmas period to help celebrate the birth of our Lord.

One of the activities that we find ourselves involved in during Advent is the sending of Christmas cards. Depending upon how you look at it this can be a chore or a delight, but whichever it is for you, the big question is how much thought do you put into the cards that you are sending? Do you just send the first card that comes to hand or do you try to match the card to the person to whom it is sent? Do you write a message or just sign it? Do you worry about whether you are sending a 'religious' card or just one with a picture of a snowman on it?

Over the past five years I have taken to making my own cards using my computer. It has many advantages. Firstly, the central message that the card contains is precisely what I want to say. It will certainly be 'religious' and probably contains a sentence from scripture. The main picture on the front will also have a religious theme since I want to remind everyone to whom I send a card of the real reason for Christmas. Another advantage is that I have a limitless supply and can be ready to post one off to that person whom I always forget, but who always sends a card to me at the last minute.

Most of the very first Christmas cards that were sent in the middle of the Victorian era were hand made by the sender and I like to think that I am continuing that tradition albeit using more modern technology! But all through the ages the reason for sending cards has been the same, to let the recipient know that you are thinking of them, to pass on some news, and to remind people of the best news of all, that our Saviour was born into the world to save us all. A merry Christmas to you all.
Revd. Ken Tombs - Hon. Curate.

FROM ST GILES' REGISTERS

Baptisms
Oct. 23rd    Emily Jane Mason
                   Emily Rose Burgess
Nov. 13th    Alana Saffron and Gisella Jade Huddle

Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Oct. 3rd      Dora Wood, aged 93
        24th     Kenneth William Inns, aged 84
        25th     Ann Elizabeth Clare Roylance, aged 62
        27th     Eric Claydon, aged 73
        31st     Bill Jones, aged 76 (Following a service in St Giles' Church)
Nov. 4th      Elfrieda Winter, aged 84
        7th      Ruby Murray, aged 75

THANK YOU FROM THE FAMILY OF PETER JACKSON

Yvonne Jackson and family would like to give a very big thank you to all those people gave so generously to the Harefield Heart Trust in memory of Peter who was so very much loved.

The collection, sent via Henry Paul Limited, amounted to £935.50 and a separate donation of £70 sent directly to the Charity, raised the total to £1,005.50.

Harefield Hospital, had a very special place in Peter's heart so, once again, a very heartfelt thank you.
Yvonne Jackson

FROM THE URC ELDERS

It seems hard to believe that it is less than a year since the devastating Tsunami crisis in South East Asia was on every body's lips, yet now so little is heard. Is this because in the intervening period so many other world issues such as the hurricanes in the southern states of America or the terrorist bombings of London have arisen to occupy our minds, or is it a reflection of how quickly we forget?

Perhaps it is appropriate at this Christmas time, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, to remind ourselves of this terrible disaster and to hear from Pastor Bill Hekman, of the Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia, how Jesus was present there sharing the trials and dangers of those in crisis.

One of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami was the city of Meulaboh in Aceh, where the majority of the city was destroyed and 80% of its people died. Before the disaster there were about 400 Christians living there and they wanted to celebrate Christmas Day. The local Muslim officials were unwilling to allow this and told them that if they wanted to celebrate Christmas they needed to go outside the city onto a high hill.

So the four hundred Christians went off to the hill, celebrated throughout Christmas Day, and then stayed there overnight. They were still there the following morning when an earthquake followed by the tsunami waves, destroyed Meulaboh and thousands of its inhabitants.- but they were all saved.

As you can imagine this apparent miracle, and its focus on the power of our Lord, had a profound effect on the rest of the community. Perhaps what is more important is to reflect on the fact that had the Christians insisted on their rights to celebrate Christmas in the city, they might all have died. However, because they humbled themselves and did as they were told they were spared destruction and can testify to God's protection.

We need to remind ourselves that we have no rights in this world other than to commit our lives to Him in the knowledge that He is the Creator of all things, He is our father and is very capable of caring for His children.

So as we celebrate the birth of our Lord may we all reflect on His awesome power.
Keith Holland

HOSPITAL COMMUNION SERVICES 2005

More Volunteers needed urgently
The next Sunday when volunteers are needed to collect patients from wards for Communion services in the hospital chapel is: Mount Vernon Hospital on Sunday 25th December. More dates will be published in future months. This small service is very much appreciated by patients who have no family available to help them. To continue this service we need to supplement our regular team with more volunteers to provide cover for unavoidable absences. Anyone who is prepared to spend a couple of hours on occasional Sunday mornings, please contact Alan Grove on 020 8868 9220.

YOUR ADVENT READING

'Advent Joy' by Elizabeth Rundle
This 31-day guide is designed to be read each day during December. It will help keep Advent in focus during the preparations for Christmas through a Bible reading and a thought for each day. There are points to consider, daily prayers and a meditation. The book seeks to recapture the 'glad tidings of great joy', which the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus. I recommend this devotional guide to you. Price £6.99, published by CWR and available from Christian bookshops.








'Too busy not to pray' by Bill Hybels
An excellent, intensely practical book aimed to help all of us who are tempted to make prayer a low priority in our lives particularly when we're busy. Sub-titled 'Slowing down to be with God', this book takes the reader through the importance of prayer in every Christian's life, with lots of practical help for how we can spend more time with God. Not specifically an advent book, it is very pertinent in the bustle of the Christmas season, and beyond. Because prayer has the potential for being life changing, this is a vital read. Price £5.99, published by IVP and available from Christian bookshops.