Christmas fun and farewells

We had a busy week last week at College – something Christmassy happening almost every night of the week! We started off on Monday with our yearly Christmas concert – I’m sorry to report that as Evangelists we never got our act together so we were forced to just sit and enjoy everyone else making a fool of themselves! Maybe Vicky Pollard will make an appearance next year… or not! Some of the highlights included some stunning musical talent – and a love song from our Principal Martyn to Clarence the Frog!

Tuesday we were out in the community with the local churches, with a live nativity called ‘Follow the Donkey’ – we started at Calver Cross, and ended up in the stable at the farm behind the Craft Shop, and were entertained by puppets telling the story along the way!

Wednesday was our annual Christmas Dinner, as you can see on the pic we’re all dressed up posh – probably the only time in our whole year when people make quite such a big effort! A couple of students went for alternative clothing arrangements this year as Father Christmas and his helper turned up! …wouldn’t have been allowed in my day (mutter mutter) !!!

Grace and Sue all festive...
(I'm going to be in so much trouble for adding this pic!)

Finally Thursday was our end of term carol service, where all the students and staff – and lots of people’s families and guests gather down in Cliff Hall for worship. This year’s was organised entirely by Mike, one of our 3rd year students and included among other things the Cliff Choir, Drama Group, James our resident rapper, and our Student Union President Darren who preached. It was a really good before saying our goodbyes for Christmas to worship together and to think about how Jesus came as one of us – and how now we should live as him amongst our families, friends and community.

The students all went home either Thursday or Friday, but we’re still here for another week working hard (sympathy please??!) – so keep chatting to us through the comments to keep us entertained!

We all hope you have a fantastic Christmas and experience something new of Jesus during the holiday time!

GIFTS, GIFTS, GIFTS AND MORE GIFTS, HOORAY!

Yes, it is Christmas time again. Is there anyone out there like me who tries to guess what presents they’ll get?

Well, I do it every year. I try to guess what I’ll get and I really get so excited waiting for Christmas day so that I can open my presents.
I always like my presents but the problem is that I do not do anything with some of the things I am given. When I get them I am really excited but I kind of forget them… well, actually, I eat the chocolate and sweets etc. then forget the others, stupid huh?!

I feel really bad when I go through my stuff and discover things I was given at Christmas two or three years ago which have not even seen the light of day for ages! Recently, I gave away one of the things I was given for Christmas and I felt better because I felt that the gift could be used by someone else and not just sit somewhere in my room Christmas, after Christmas, after Christmas…

While I was thinking about all this a thought popped into my head... I just wondered if sometimes I treated Jesus, God’s gift, like the way I treat some of my presents – you know, stuffing the gift somewhere…and forgetting all about it…

What do you say to all this?