11 reports and links : Growth of Muslim influence; decline of family unit in GB; threats to Religious Education in schools; Gay marriage; third style of marriage in Scotland
Help us to know that you have created us for family
David Nilsen writes - When most people think of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, they think something like “classic children’s story” or “charming fantasy tale.” They are not likely to think “serious work of literature”, and in that respect they would find they are in good company with most literary critics.
Take time today to change a persons world
Church secures place in regeneration project; Coalition may use ‘nuclear option’ to force through gay marriage law; 55% of Tory members would vote against gay marriage if they were in parliament; Media review
Christianity threatened in the Bible lands; Syria – the plight of Christians intensifies; Christians killed in Christmas bloodshed in Nigeria; Joy in Jos; Church on the streets in Greece; Unprecedented east Jerusalem building in pipeline
Gandalf the Grey: “Those are goblin Wargs! They will outrun you!
Radagast the Brown: “These are rhosgobel rabbits! I’d like to see them try.”
You have visited your people
4 Corners Festival & the Irish Churches Peace Project; Church in better shape than many believe, insists nuncio
Peerage for the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; C of E’s year round role; LGBT Anglican Coalition comments on Equal Marriage proposals
Gandalf promises Bilbo Baggins a "profitable" quest, but the wizard has a different sort of treasure in mind.
That all of creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace.
Cardinal’s Christmas message “misrepresented” abortion legislation; Sex-abuse clergy still get charity donations; Childline takes over 1,000 calls on Christmas Day; Unwanted Christmas Gifts sought at Dublin’s Pro Cathedral
Let’s not turn ‘inward’ amid economic troubles, urges Justin Welby; The Queen once again points her subjects to Jesus Christ; Judge attacks gay marriage plan; Tug of war in the Church of England
There is "more of good" in the hobbit than is apparent at the outset of his adventure, writes Matthew Dickerson
Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation
Presiding Bishop's Christmas Eve Sermon in Jerusalem; Patriarch backs Palestinian state; Difficult Christmas for Syria's Christians
Film Review - Tolkien's classic quest is interpreted through the wider lens of his full Middle-Earth works.
May the light of faith illumine our hearts
The Church is pushing many away from the love of God - Bishop of Cork; Revd Canon Brian Mayne - a reliable and constant friend; Cardinal uses Christmas message to call for abortion protest; Church fire deliberate; Committee on X case law will report January
Highlights of Canterbury and Durham Christmas sermons; Attack on government by RC archbishop; PM’s christmas message; Fightback of the faithful has begun
At odds with his world, he created another. The first of a series of articles for holiday reading.
I always hope Christmas will be a time of peacefulness and joy. A time to say thank you and a time to celebrate.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas
Parish Choir produces a Christmas CD; Bishops’ Appeal Allocations; Joint Christmas Message from the Bishops of Clogher; Media review - Ireland - The year of the child; Pope’s Christmas message warns gender theory is a denial of God and the Bible; Labour TD calls Pope’s gay marriage comments “deeply insulting”; Peace initiative for Irish churches
The Journal ie reports that the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Dr Richard Clarke, has spoken about his views on abortion and gay marriage in one of his first interviews since taking up the position.
Chaplain to the Queen says Church of England has racism problem; Can Nicky Gumbel and Holy Trinity Brompton save the Church of England?; Archbishop voices forces cut fear; David Suchet in the footsteps of St Paul
We pray that your love may be born anew in us
“In the beginning was the Word" - Archbishop of Canterbury encourages reading St John's Gospel this Christmas. text and links to video
A summary of worship being broadcast in Ireland and Great Britain this Christmas