‘Saints Alive!’ Our new ‘Saints Alive’ service carries on on Sunday December 12 at 4 p.m. – something for young and old alike, which lasts for about 35 minutes. All welcome, old, young, not sure or neither!

Christmas Services: Midnight Mass, Carol service, they’re all there! But if you’d like to know what’s going on at neighbouring churches, fliers will be available at the back of church. The Christingle service at Kilham is now on the last Saturday of January at 5 p.m.

Christmas Duty: Don’t forget that it is the duty of every confirmed member of the Church of England to receive Holy Communion at Christmas (that is, from Midnight Mass to January 5 [the 12th day of Christmas] inclusive). If you know of someone ill or housebound who would appreciate Communion at home, please let Stephen know.

New Year Party: Sorry, but while the Village Hall is being refurbished, I’m afraid we can’t have one this time. Back next year!

Vicar away: Stephen obviously can’t have Christmas off, so he will be off-duty January 10 to 15 both inclusive instead.

PCC: Meets on Monday January 31 at 7.30 p.m.

Christmas is a wonderful time, so long as we keep our eyes on what it all should be about. It’s lovely to see the little ones put on their tea towels or get dressed up with wings and haloes in Nativity plays – but the adults mustn’t forget that Christmas is for them too. The greatest Christmas present ever given was the birth of Jesus the Son of God on that very first Christmas night, and the only child there when the shepherds and the wise men worshipped was Jesus himself.

Some people get cynical about Christmas and all the buying and buying that goes on. Please remember that God never invented the idea that you have to spend to enjoy Christmas. Jesus came to earth for all of us, and asks nothing but our love and worship in exchange. Happy Christmas – and a merry New Year!