It is hoped that the event will be bigger, and better, than ever. The Village will be decorated with trees and lights, and many shops will open late with Christmas hospitality. There will be stalls and entertainments in and around the Village Hall.

Father Christmas will be there, as well as the Salvation Army and choirs. Vyners Swing Band will perform and about 30 local organisations and groups will be represented.

For more information about stalls and entertainments etceteras. call Doug Neilson on 01895 633217.

VILLAGE POST OFFICE

      

As hoped, our new Post Office opened on schedule on November 11th, just in time for the Christmas rush. Our grateful thanks go to all concerned especially Manjit Dhillon of Mace Convenience Express. The new layout looks very impressive and, we hope that the counter will be well patronised.

MEN'S BREAKFAST

On 15th October our local Member of Parliament, John Randall, treated us to a very interesting talk. He spoke of just how lonely and difficult the job of an M.P. can be, especially when faced by very difficult moral questions and choices. He was also at pains to point out what joys the job can bring and how helpful it is be a long time resident of the community one serves.

The next in this series of very interesting talks, and well attended, breakfasts is on Saturday 28th January 2006 in the Hall of Ickenham URC starting at 8.30 a.m. The title of the talk is “Tanzania - Hope for Africa” given by Trevor Jagger who is a member of the Britain/Tanzania Society and former Head Teacher of Vyners School.

We hope to see you there. Tickets are £2, which cover the cost of a continental breakfast, from Don Gwilt on 01895 673704.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS ABOUT CHRISTMAS?

Some years ago, when a Bishop's doubts about the virgin birth of Jesus hit the headlines, a clergyman was interviewed on the BBC's 'Breakfast Time' programme about what it all meant. The interviewer, a well-known TV personality with very little time for Christianity, had one great objection to what the Bishop was saying. He put it in the form of a question to the clergyman: "If Jesus wasn't born to the Virgin Mary does that mean we'll have to stop sending Christmas cards and giving presents?"

It might sound a stupid question, but it actually highlights an important issue. For this BBC presenter, as for many others in Britain today, what really matters about Christmas is the cards and the presents. If Jesus wasn't really born as the Bible says, that would be a nuisance - but only because it would take away the justification for the ways in which we celebrate His birth! It might even mean one or two Bank Holidays less.

In fact if Jesus hadn't been born as the Bible says, the implications would be much more serious. It would mean that God has not come into this world to put right what we have spoilt. It would mean that we have no way of getting to know God. It would mean that we have no chance of anything but judgment and condemnation when we die.

Christmas is worth celebrating, not as an excuse for cards or presents or holidays, but because Christmas assures us that God hasn't written us off - that he loves us and has a plan for us. At Good Friday and Easter we see that Jesus has dealt with our twin problems of sin and death. At Pentecost we find that the new life achieved by Jesus can be ours as well.

Is Christmas important to you? If so, why? Just for the trappings of cards, presents and holidays, or for what it really means?

May this Christmas be a time when you receive the gift that matters: God's Son as your Saviour.