West Church Bangor
24 Dec 24 December ~ 3:16 – when numbers finally add up!
24 December: 3:16 – when numbers finally add up! It’s Christmas Eve and we come to the end of this Advent series looking at numbers from the Bible and their meaning. I have had the opportunity to pass on some stories from my own life and...
23 Dec Day 23 ~ Anna: 84 years old
23 December – Anna: 84 years old She doesn’t appear in too many nativity plays, but probably in any case would prefer to stay in the background. We are told that her father’s name was Phanuel, which signifies “the face of God” no less. I wonder...
22 Dec Day 22 ~ Jesus was 12 when he was brought to the Passover
22 December – Jesus was 12 when he was brought to the Passover (Luke 2: 41-52, Hebrews 4:14-16) What lines in Christmas carols speak to you? My answer to that question can vary from year to year and even service to service. I can remember being profoundly...
21 Dec Day 21 ~ The wise men bring 3 gifts
21 December – The wise men bring 3 gifts (Matthew 2:1-11) It was our first Christmas together both as husband and wife and in our new congregation where God had called us to serve. Several members suggested to me that it would be a good idea to...
20 Dec Day 20~ The angelic host
20 December – The angelic host (Matthew 1: 18-25, Luke 2:8-20) What would you like to be when you grow up? My parents tell the story that when I was asked that question by my home minister, I responded by saying Prime Minister. He commended me for...
19 Dec 19 December ~ Mary visited by the angel in the sixth month
19 December – Mary visited by the angel in the sixth month (Luke 1:26-56) It’s good to know, according to the brilliant advertising slogan of a leading supermarket giant, that there is no naughty list this Christmas. In the wake of the pandemic and so much other...
18 Dec 18 December ~ 14 generations
18 December – 14 generations (Galatians 4:1-7; Hebrews 13:1-8) When it comes to reading genealogies, it generally requires a short, sharp intake of breath and to sound confident when it comes to the most obscure sounding, polysyllabic tongue twisters. I can remember preaching through Nehemiah a number...