Last Updated:  26th November 2008

Joy to the World

 

Dear friends,

Why Joy and why to the World?  Why not just happiness and peace?  Well I think the word Joy and the experience of Joy embraces both happiness and peace and much, much more.

 

Joy is profound contentment that is anchored in the confident hope that something has happened that will change everything.  At Christmas that something is somebody.  God became man, in the Incarnation, and because of that significant moment of Jesus’ birth, history has dramatically changed course.

 

In the baby of Bethlehem, to the man from Nazareth, we see the revelation of God’s word, this wisdom and teaching and how this presence in our lives will save us from what has been and give us hope for what will be.  That is JOY.

 

And, why not just to you and me, to a particular location or geographical area?  Why is this Joy given to the World?  In the Christmas story the joy of this miraculous event spread from the stable into the town of Bethlehem, across the Galilean hills and very, very far away.  The news of the birth of Jesus was given to the shepherds.  The wise men searched for it and found not only the news but its source.

 

The lights of Christmas, angels and stars radiated from the Light of Christ and its holy power was to shine over all the world so that all men, of whatever colour or creed, culture or background, whether city dweller or mountain refugee, rich or poor, could and would see God’s Glory—and have the opportunity to be changed by his light and love.

 

The message is true.  Given to you and me and to all mankind.  God in Christ brings Joy to the World!

 

May the Joyful Blessings of Christmas be yours. 

                       Allan Mitchell

 

MOTHERS’ UNION NEWS.  

October didn’t start well when the speaker did not turn up.  Instead we had an impromptu meeting we entitled Musical Memories.  A piece of music was played and anyone who was ‘nudged’ to remember anything shared it with the others.  Though a last minute programme item, an enjoyable one and one which will be done again.

On Monday 10th November, members went to the Coronation Hall, Ulverston and watched the Christian musical Rock, written by Roger Jones and performed by his cast, musicians and dancers and being backed by the local choir of Furness Churches United Choir.  A really memorable evening with ‘this show being the best we’ve seen’.  ‘Wonderful’.  ‘How moving’.  ‘Thank you for suggesting this evening’.  ‘What lovely music, enjoyed the whole night’.  ‘What lovely voices, are they professionals?’  No, everyone on stage was an amateur, giving their time (and using their holidays) to do what they enjoy—spreading the Good News.

DECEMBER DIARY:

Wed 3rd             An Advent Mixture (with guests)

Fri 5th                 2pm.  Deanery Carol Service at Rampside Hall.

Mon 8th             Christmas Alphabet (and party)

 

Barbara Irwin, Branch Leader.

                         

DALTON WITH IRELETH AND ASKAM FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION

 

It is hoped once again to have over 50 groups/organisations, each being responsible for decorating a tree and sponsoring a charity of their own choice.

The theme this year is “Turn a Page”.  Topics chosen cover a wide variety of books, both children's and adults.

There will be around 46 trees in St. Mary’s Parish Church Dalton with a further 11 being on view in the Duddon Road Methodist Chapel, Askam.  The public will be able to view the trees in St. Mary’s every Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3.00pm –7.00pm during the month of December.  A number of groups are booked in for a private viewing with afternoon teas being served on these occasions.

At the moment, plans are well in hand for another Grand Parade to take place on 30th November when the Dalton Christmas Lights will be switched on.  We are working with the Town Council on these projects.

Also on 30th November, as last year, the Association is working with the Dalton Traders and Business Association to stage a Christmas Market to be held in St. Mary’s Churchyard and surrounding area between 5.00pm—9.00pm.

It is hoped to attract many stall holders to come and support this market as they did last year.

This year, through the generous sponsorship of the Furness Building Society, there will be ten small trees placed in Dalton Castle and, as in church, decorated by various groups  and with charities benefitting from the collection buckets there.

Concerts and other events will be taking place throughout the month and the diary is fully booked.

The Tree of Remembrance, sponsored by Little and Caine, will be in place as in the past and the Remembrance Service around the tree is on Thursday 18th December at 6.00pm (in the church if wet).

Festivities at Askam start on 4th December with a Christmas Fayre in Askam Community Centre.  This will be followed by the Christmas Lights being switched on at the Cenotaph and a procession led by Father Christmas to the Christmas Tree Festival in the Duddon Road Methodist Church, where there will be a Grotto and refreshments will be served.

The Parish of Dalton with Ireleth and Askam

Deanery:  Furness         Diocese:  Carlisle

New Life Magazine

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing.

I must admit to this being one of my favourite Christmas hymns.  It gets straight to the point—Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

I was surprise to find that the words had been written between 1674 and 1748 but they are relevant today, if the world would let them be.  I’m afraid that most people would rather receive Santa than their King.  People would rather prepare food than prepare Him room.  People would rather listen to pop songs (with or without swearing) than songs telling the good news and love of Jesus—as attendance of concerts show.  (Take That sold out in 2 hours.  The Rock Christian Musical never sold out!)

Joy to the world, tells us about this miracle of Christmas - that God the Son became a newborn baby in order to become man.  The hymn reminds us of why God did this.  It was so that He could become the Saviour of the world, able to turn the tide of sin and sorrow. In response to this wonderful news we are asked to make room for Him within our hearts.  Only those things that are most precious to us are kept within our hearts - the love we have for our family and friends; the happy memories of loved ones no longer with us; the special thoughts of those who love and cherish us - and this is where Jesus should live with us too.

No wonder we are exhorted to sing out with joy!  In doing so we join with the whole of creation in echoing our happiness at the birth of our Lord.  It is this revelation of God's great love for mankind, in sending His Son to live with us on earth, that is the true message of Christmas.

In amongst all the seasonal preparations; the commercialisation of Christmas; the worries and, for some, sadness that Christmas can bring - will you make a place for Jesus in your heart, now and for the rest of your life? 

I wish you a joyful and Happy Christmas and a Christ filled New Year.

                            .  Barbara Irwin

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

 

Planning, arranging and organising for the Festival has been on-going from the start of this year and we are but a few weeks away from the beginning of Advent and on countdown to the 30th November when all the hard work and effort finally materialises.  Do please support the Festival in any way you can.

 

Schools and other organisations are staging a wide variety of events from which charities will benefit.

 

The theme of this month’s magazine is “Joy to the World”.  It is asking a great deal of us to bring Joy to the World but let us pray, at this time, that we will bring much joy to many people who will come through our Church doors in the next few weeks.  Let us go out of our way to welcome them and pray that they will take from St. Mary’s the true meaning of Christmas.

 

We need help with stewarding in church and in the centre and we particularly need people willing to be collectors at the Switch On and at the Torchlight Procession.  The rotas will be in church or let me have your name and I will get back to you.  Keep the mince pies and shortbread coming and also the raffle prizes.

 

Don’t forget to have a look at the Christmas Cards and Advent Calendars etc., on sale at the back of the church and last but by no means least may I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Christmas and a prayer that each and every one of us, no matter who or where or what our circumstances may be, will find joy in our hearts and peace at this Christmas Time.

Christmas stamps - thank the Royal Mail!

 

Famous paintings depicting the Madonna and Child appear on millions of Christmas stamps again this year. 'The Madonna of Humility', by Lippo di Dalmasio and 'Madonna and Child', by William Dyce, will feature on many first and second class stamps.

 

The Royal Mail has been producing Christmas stamps for more than 40 years, and last year came under fire when rumours spread that it had a policy to phase out religious themes on its Christmas stamps. This year it has issued stamps with a pantomime theme, but also stamps with this religious theme.

 

If you are happy that the Royal Mail has done a religious issue as well as a secular one, why not write to let them know? A good response to the religious stamps may encourage them for the future! Contact: Press Office - Special Stamps, Royal Mail Group, 148 Old Street, LONDON, EC1V 9HQ or Email: press.office@royalmail.com or even phone them on: 0207 2502468