<p>Dear Reader,</p><p>I hope the sermon inspires you… And may I invite you to come and celebrate the #realmeaningofchristmas at St Mary’s - Jesus’ birthday?</p><p>* Christmas Eve 4pm Crib Service. All Shepherds and Angels in their outfits welcome!</p><p>* Midnight Mass 11.15pm</p><p>* Jesus’ Birthday Party Service 9.30am - adults and children bring a present to show and tell</p><p>Wishing you a happy and blessed Christmas!</p><p>Andrew+</p><p><strong><em>Christmas Cards</em></strong></p><p>If you wish to give a Christmas Card to the church family, then pin one on the Children’s Noticeboard at the back of church. You also have the opportunity to donate to Sonia’s Hurricane Melissa Appeal in aid of Lucea Parish in Jamaice.</p><p>Roni and I have donated £50 for St Mary’s to Amigos Worldwide</p><p>Amigos Worldwide works alongside people and communities in rural Uganda, through vocational training of 50 young people at Kira Farm, conservation farming, and supporting the most vulnerable…. Their aim: Supporting disadvantaged people to work their way out of poverty and thrive.</p><p>To find out more or join us in donating, please go to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amigos.org.uk/appeal/2025-christmas-appeal/">amigos.org.uk</a></p><p><strong><em>Note from Christine Greenway</em></strong></p><p>I wonder if you could make sure that members of the congregation at Marston and Lidlington (if that’s possible) know that there is a link on the undertaker’s website for messages, donations and funeral service details for Dad, Revd John Greenway (Vicar 1976):</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://revjohngreenway.muchloved.com/">revjohngreenway.muchloved.com</a></p><p><strong>Matthew 1:18–25 NIV</strong></p><p>This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.</p><p>But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”</p><p>All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).</p><p>When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com</a>