Open Advent Window 18 – Kings at Manger

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One Hump, Two Hump

Video Reflection by James Watson
(Minister of Westbury Baptist Church)

These Kings, or wise men as we know them, were astronomers. They looked at the stars in the sky and followed signs that they saw. They would have come to Jesus on camels most probably.

Here is a poem from the Rhyming Bible by Bob Hartman – grab a free copy here!

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Open Advent Window 17 – Good King Wenceslas

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Reflection by Adrian Rogers (aka Colonel Hathi)

Good King Wenceslas may be one of the most popular carols ever written – but the story behind it is a little gruesome.

The man we know as ‘Good King Wenceslas’ was Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia. He was also known as Vaclac the Good, but he lived only a short life, probably from c.907 to 935.

When his father died there was a power vacuum in Bohemia and Wenceslaus’ mother was banished and his grandmother killed. But once the dust had settled the people of Bohemia decided they would like Wenceslas to be their ruler and his mother returned to rule as regent until young Wenceslas reached the age of 18… at which point he promptly banished her!

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Open Advent Window 13 – Advent Candle

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Pizzas and Patience

Reflection by James Watson
(Minister of Westbury Baptist Church)

A few years ago, a friend and I decided to buy some frozen pizzas for lunch. By the time we’d got them from the local shop and returned home, we were both hungry. Seriously hungry. I put the oven on, we chucked them in for about 5 minutes, and then went for it.

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Open Advent Window 11

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Shepherds – first adpoters

Reflection by Adrian Rogers (aka Colonel Hathi)

I love nativity sets with their beautiful angels and comely Shepherds.

Sometimes it dawns on me that these few lowly shepherds were (apart from Joseph & Mary) perhaps the first ever Christians. Literally they were the first of billions of people that have followed over the last two-thousand years!

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Open Advent Window 10

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The Christmas Wreath

Reflection by Adrian Rogers (aka Colonel Hathi)

Whist wreaths can be found in homes throughout the year for many they are associated with Christmas. 

The word “wreath” comes from the Old English “writhan,” meaning “to twist,” and in connection with Christianity and Christmas their circular shape is said to symbolise eternal life and the unending love of God.

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