Wednesday 11 December 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christmas is getting nearer! I hope I will see many of you at the big Carol Service at the Heiliggeistkirche, tomorrow evening, and at the Nativity Play on Sunday.

Carol Services

• Heiliggeist Carol Service: TOMORROW:, 19.30, Thursday 12th December (at the Heiliggeistkirche, Bern). A service of readings, carols and prayers. The Berner Motettenchor choir will also be singing.
• Thun Carol Service, 19.00, Tuesday 17th December (at Chapelle Romande, Frutigenstrasse 22, Thun)

Do come along to either or both of these services and bring your friends!

Nativity Play
Our Nativity Play Service will be on Sunday 15th December. There are lots of children involved. If any more want to join in to be a shepherd or angel they are very welcome! This is always a very joyful service. Do join us.

Christmas Eve, 24th December:

• Christingle and Crib Service, 4pm (A short service for families and children - but everyone is welcome!)
• First Eucharist of Christmas, 10pm (A service of Holy Communion).

Christmas Day, 25th December:

• All Age Eucharist, 10am (A service of Holy Communion for all ages).

Learning from John the Baptist
Although we are looking ahead to our Christmas services, we are still in Advent! This Sunday, when we have our Nativity Play, is also the third Sunday of Advent when we traditionally remember John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus.

I am attaching a famous painting (by Matthias Grünewald) which pictures John the Baptist (on the right of Jesus on the cross) with a very elongated finger, pointing to Jesus. John knew this was his role: to point away from himself to Jesus. We are also called to this in in our own daily lives. Let's think and pray about what this might mean for us.

With love in Christ,
Helen