Category - christmas

Defenders of Christmas are missing the point

Press Office — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:36:28 +0000

Those who would be the first to defend Christmas are usually the last to embrace the fullness of its meaning, says the religious think-tank Ekklesia.

A very political festival indeed

Giles Fraser — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:45:15 +0000

Traditional categories of right and left don't always work when applied to faith, says Giles Fraser. Yet there is no comfort for the 'religious right' in the Christmas Gospel, which is about giving not consuming and love not power-mongering.

Don't confuse Jesus with super heros, says Methodist president

staff writers — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:35:43 +0000

The Christmas message is that God in Jesus commits to transforming human ordinariness, not to fantasies about a super-hero figure or military conquerer, the President of the Methodist Conference has said in his seasonal message.

Hope not despair is our Christmas calling, says archbishop

agency reporter — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:55:20 +0000

In spite of its many weals and woes, life has meaning and purpose expressed through our experience of love and creativity. That is the message of Christmas to humanity, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams says.

The real offensiveness of Christmas

Jonathan Bartley — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:14:09 +0000

Christmas is offensive, and always will be, says Jonathan Bartley. It legitimates the undermining of those in authority. But it is also about looking after not just those who are “deserving” of love, but those who appear disreputable and unworthy.

Cardinal calls for compassion not hostility towards migrants

staff writers — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:27:49 +0000

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the senior figure in the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has called for a more welcoming approach to migrants in British national life.

Christ is an unwanted gift for the religious

Simon Barrow — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:10:01 +0000

Whether we love or hate Christmas, we know all about it. But the same may not be true of the coming of Jesus, says Simon Barrow. In Christ, God radically disrupts religious 'business as usual'.

Christmas and Chanukah are about radical hope

Michael Lerner — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:10:51 +0000

Christmas and Chanukah, says Rabbi Michael Lerner, share a spiritual message - that it is possible to bring light and hope in a world of darkness, oppression and despair.

Christians urged not to be duped by Royal Mail Christmas hoax

staff writers — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:31:26 +0000

Christians are being urged not to be taken in by a hoax email claiming the Royal Mail have instructed staff not to sell religious-themed Christmas stamps. The email warning comes in a number of different versions

Charity sells Bethlehem nativity scene complete with Separation Wall

staff writers — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:40:39 +0000

A UK based Christian charity has launched a new version of the Christmas nativity scene including the Israeli Separation Wall.