Sunday Trading

   For the duration of the eight week period covering the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sunday trading laws have been relaxed allowing large shops to open for much longer. Now there are rumblings within government wanting to make this permanent. Whilst I realise that some occupations require Sunday working such as the emergency services and transport workers, Sunday for many people, religious or not, is still a special day of the week when they can spend time at home with their families or enjoy leisure activities.

   For me the relaxation of Sunday trading laws would be the thin end of the wedge and before too long I can see office and factory workers being required to turn up for work on any of the seven days of the week. Already many sporting events traditionally held on a Saturday have spread over into Sunday but taking it to its logical conclusion, if Sunday were to become just another day in the week, I could see major football matches for example being arranged on a Tuesday or a Thursday afternoon so that the Sunday workers could see them on their alternative day off - if they were still entitled to one. No enough is enough, the legislation was altered to accommodate the Olympics and when the games are finished the law should return to its previous state - and stay there. Or is it going to be yet another broken government promise?

Christingle

Many people name the annual Christingle service in church as their favourite of the year and it does have a magical quality when the lights are dimmed for a carol to be sung in the candlelight. St Mary's service took place this afternoon and Christingles were lit by passing the light from candle to candle. The name Christingle is from an old Saxon word "ingle" meaning "fire" or "light" hence "Christingle" equals "Christ's light" shining in the world for all to see.

Legends

In many displays at this time of year in shop windows, private houses of organised events, there is likely to be a jolly figure dressed in red. We probably all know that the colour scheme came about due to an advertising campaign for a soft drink in the 1930s but there are many legends about the givers of gifts at Christmas that pre-date Coca-Cola and each one has a different name for the giver. Whether it be Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, Old Man Frost, Baboushka, Kriss Kringle, Christkindle or one of several more, they all have one thing in common.They are magical beings who all add to the mystery and tradition of a modern day Christmas. We should not forget however the Wise Men who brought their gifts of gold frankincense and myrhh to what has proved to be the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ.

Number Two

Another week closer to Christmas Day and it was time to light the second candle on the Advent Wreath in St Mary's this morning. Following on from last week's Candle of Hope this is the Candle of Peace to celebrate the peace to be found in Jesus Christ.It is also the candle for the Old testament Prophets.

Tulip Time

The daffodil season is coming to an end but tulips are now brightening up the formal flower displays in the town. Along with colourful pansies in the beds and tubs on the Market Place they really provide an attractive setting for St Mary's Church pictured here after this morning's service where two children were baptised.

God Is Love

The Ilkeston Area Churches Together banner proclaimed "God Is Love" as the annual procession of Christian witness made its way through the streets of the town this morning despite the cold, the wind and the rain.

The event this year took the form of a silent procession with frequent stops for hymn singing and drama presentations that told the story of Jesus' last hours and attracted hundreds of followers. I felt sorry for the man portraying Jesus who, clad in little more than a loin cloth, stood in the inclement weather. God is love and he played his part for his love of God.

Magi

The feast of Epiphany is actually January 6th and celebrates the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus but I caught this image of the Three Kings after the morning service in St Mary's toady. Do you realise though that nowhere in the Bible does it say there were three of them or that they were kings?


January 6th of course is the twelfth day of Christmas and the famous carol about the twelve days has a hidden meaning for Christians:
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens reppresent faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds are the Gospels.
The five gold rings stand for the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation.
The seven swans a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The eight maids a-milking are the Beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The ten lords a-leaping stand for the Ten Commandments.
Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven Apostles.
Twelve drummers drumming re[resent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.