One of the key characters in a traditional children's nativity play is the Innkeeper. It falls to him to consign the pregnant Mary to a stable wherein the Christchild is born.

Just as well he did! - imagine the Carol 'Once in Royal David's City' without any references to ' poor lowly stable', 'oxen standing by', 'cradle was a stall'. 'in a manger for his bed'
(Mrs Alexander , writer of the Carol, would have been beside herself)

Business was booming in Bethlehem - always a popular city, but more visitors than ever this year. Many had come to register themselves in the census demanded by the Romans, and as a consequence extra accommodation was required.

But there was 'no room at the inn'.

That moment in the nativity story is worth pondering on, because for many people there is 'No room in our hearts', 'no room in our lives' for Jesus.

The baby knocks on the door of our hearts - asking to be let in.

Are we willing to transform our hearts into cribs that are ready to receive God and facilitate His presence within us?

In this season of 'giving', are we able to give to each other that which God would want us to give? Are we ready to do as Jesus commanded us to do - to love one another?

Peace on earth is not an impossible dream - but it must start with us.

With every blessing at Christmastide,

Graham

Each Sunday in Advent at the start of our morning Communion Service another of the four candles on our Advent wreath is lit and prayers are said.

The first of our special Christmas Services in the Christingle which is being held in support of the Childrens’ Society. This popular Service takes place at 3.30pm on Sunday 11th December.

The children from the Sunday School are busily preparing for their Nativity Play which will be performed for the congregation during the 9.15 am Service on Sunday 18th December.

Also on the 18th at 6.30pm why not invite your friends and neighbours to come along and join us at our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The Christmas Eve Midnight Communion Service commences at 11.30pm on Saturday 24th and our Christmas Day Service at the usual time of 9.15am.

We look forward to welcoming you to one or all of these Services.

The Village Fair was held in the school as usual on Saturday 26th November.

There was a good turn out of people who came along to enjoy what was on offer. The stalls did a good trade, Father Christmas was busy in his grotto meeting the children and the cafe serving hot food and refreshments did a roaring trade.

We thank the stall holders and all who attended for making the event a success

Our recent Hoe Down was held in the school hall on Saturday 19th November.

Organised by Jennifer Barker and members of the Socials Committee, those attending enjoyed joining in the country dances led by the caller who instructed them in how to do the dances.

The next dance evening will be in January when we get together to celebrate Burns’ Night. 

The total from the house collections and other events organised by local churches during Christian Aid Week was £22,061.47 - house-to-house was £17,579.36 and other events £4482.11, an increase on last year's total of £21,589.47. St Thomas's managed to raise £716.66 despite still not being able to cover all of Newhey, and we were one of only a handful of churches who collected more this year than last - a list of all the amounts raised will be put on the notice board - so thanks to everyone who went out to deliver and collect envelopes, and to Margaret who sold the quizzes in church!

As the proceeds from CA weeks in Rochdale have fallen each year since 2007, it is good to record an increase this year, so perhaps this is an indication for the future, and Rochdale can again hope to achieve the £30,000+ income in that year! Although the "credit crunch" has caused people to tighten their belts and charitable donations have suffered, we should perhaps remember that the financial crisis is worldwide and has also increased the cost of living of the people in the poor countries for whom we raise this money.
St Thomas's and all the people of Newhey who donated can therefore feel rightly proud that we have continued to help the poorest of the world's poor.

In all our preparations for this Holy season, help us to think more of others than ourselves and show gratitude for all that others do for us.
May every heart be ready to receive your Son, our Savior, and your heavenly peace and joy be in all our relationships.
Grant, O Heavenly Father, that your love may shine within our parish and within our hearts this Christmas, for the sake of him who came to give his life to save us, your Son Jesus Christ.

            * May your presence be felt in be felt in each home this Christmas and the prayers and actions of our Church touch the people of Newhey

 * We pray for those who are separated from those they love at this time.

           * For children everywhere.

           * For those who are ill or in hospital at this time.

4th December         Advent 2                           Isaiah 40:1-11                Mark 1:1-8

11th December       Advent 3                           Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-end       John 1.6-8, 19-28

18th December       Advent 4                           2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16       Luke 1.26-38

24th December       Christmas Eve                   Isaiah 52.7-10                 John 1.1-14

25th December       Christmas Day                  Isaiah 9.2-7                     Luke 2.1-14 (15-20)

1st January             Sunday after Christmas     Galatians 4.4-7                 Luke 2.15-21