An All-age script for Epiphany

This was written to be used in an all-age service as figures of the wise men are placed into the crib scene, and then the gifts are placed before the crib. A version of Matthew 2:1-12 has already been read. This imagines how it might have gone.

Three wise men - sometimes called Magi or even Kings - came to visit Jesus

Casper brought gold. [place a figure in the crib scene]

He wanted to show the new king how rich he was. He had done so well making money, and it made him feel important and a success. Now he wanted to make sure the new young king knew all about it. If the new king needed advice on how to get and make money, or if he needed a rich and powerful friend, Casper was his man. Of course he’d expect a few favours in return...

Balthasar brought frankincense. [place a figure in the crib scene]

This is a resin that burns to make smoke that smelled very special. Balthasar used this in his prayers and ceremonies. He believed he had worked out the secret of how to talk with God, and he used lots of words, chants and frankincense. Balthasar wanted to make sure the new king really understood this – that he, Balthasar, was the most religious of the wise men. If the new king wanted to understand things about God, well he’d better talk to him.

Melchior brought myrrh. [place a figure in the crib scene]

Myrrh is a perfume, but it’s got a very special use. Myrrh was used to put on people who had died, to stop their bodies being smelly until they were buried. Melchior brought this, because he wanted the new king to know that he – Melchior – was powerful. Sometimes he even decided who lived and who died. Some people were scared of him – really scared of him. Melchior didn’t want to frighten the new king, but he wanted him to know how big and strong he was.

Now those three wise men thought that they were very clever, rich and powerful. People were really impressed as they travelled through the towns, with their servants and animals following on. They had worked out the direction by looking at the stars, drawing maps and doing very complicated sums. 

And now they were here at the house where Mary, Joseph and the young boy Jesus were staying, and they got ready to present their gifts.

Casper went in first with his gold.  [a young person might carry a ‘gift’ and place it before the crib]

The new king they had come to find was just a toddler, and still lived in a humble home, so Casper was sure his parents would be impressed. Their eyes were wide at such a generous gift, and there next to them was the little boy. Casper put the gold on the floor in front of him. 

But he had a funny feeling when he let go of the gold. As he looked up into the child’s eyes, everything seemed different. Casper realised that though the young boy was grateful, the gold just didn’t seem so precious any more. Casper suddenly thought of the people he loved and cared for, and the people who cared for him and knew deep in his heart that they were much more precious than anything gold could buy. 

Balthasar was next with his frankincense [a young person might carry a ‘gift’ and place it before the crib]

The family welcomed Balthasar too. He gave them a precious container with frankincense inside. It was the same as the kind he used in his temple back home in his ceremonies and prayers. 

But he had a funny feeling when he let go of the frankincense and looked at the little boy. In all his years, in all his trying, in all his searching God had always seemed very far away, hidden behind all the frankincense smoke that he sent up before his altars and statues. However, when he caught the little boy Jesus’ eyes, he felt closer to God than he ever had. In all the busyness of his religion, and all the pride he had in how devout he was, he knew he had missed something, and now he had found what it was. In this little house, at last God was very close.

Melchior was last [a young person might carry a ‘gift’ and place it before the crib]

He liked being a bit scary – it actually made him feel less nervous when he was in a group of people. But when he walked in with his gift, things didn’t quite go to plan. Joseph and Mary looked at him nervously, but the little boy just stared at him, and then he smiled. To Melchior’s astonishment, the toddler then walked fearlessly over to him and touched his hand. Melchior was so surprised, he just quietly handed the flask of perfume to Mary. 

As he handed it over, he had a funny feeling. Melchior had practised something to say in the family’s own language, as he was from another country, but all his words failed him. He realised that there was something here much more powerful than anything he had – the power of love. More powerful than him, and more powerful even than death itself. This little boy's lack of fear, and unconditional welcome had shown him just how powerful that could be.

So picture yourself entering that house. What would you be bringing and why? What would you be hoping would happen? Do you think you might be surprised, just as the wise men were?

Gareth Davies-Jones In Concert

I'm wanting to plug this everywhere, so in case anyone still reads this blog from time to time, this will be a brilliant way into Advent and Christmas.

Tickets available online here

Gareth Davies-Jones Christmas Acoustic Concert

A quick plug for an event coming up in December

Morecambe Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival

We're rapidly coming up to that time when our church is filled with over 50 Christmas trees from local charities, businesses, organisations and individuals.

The festival is open 7-10 Dec. Wed-Fri 2.30pm - 8pm, and Saturday 10am - 6pm. The Sunday morning services will be held in the War Memorial Hall to allow time to clear the Church building.

Details on the image below. Click for a larger version.

Christmas Tree Festival

Morecambe Parish Church is up and running with the 2010 Festival. Open 2-30 to 8pm Thu & Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, and after church (approx 11-15) to 2-30pm on Sunday. 74 trees to see.

£1 admission for adults. Children free. 
Tea/coffee/squash, biccies and cakes on sale all the time.
Light lunches served on Saturday
All profit goes to charity, once essential expenses have been met.

Advert over. Here's a blurry piccie from my phone





-- Post From My iPhone

Familiarity breeds what?

It's always a challenge to think of something new to do with the big festivals in the church year ( and I don't mean Greenbelt ). This is my 21st Christmas as a 'Rev' and I'm not someone who thrives on doing the same thing in the same way year after year. On 'normal' Sundays the readings go on a 3 year cycle, so that maintains the variety, but Christmas is, well, Christmas. And I have always held the view that if you only meet people's expectations in your programme, you're never able to challenge or stretch them.

This year we're looking to take part in Lancashire Sings Christmas, so that will be something new to put energy into. It's an interactive carol service, in partnership with BBC Radio Lancashire, to be held at venues that aren't church buildings. If you're in Lancashire, there's still time to get organised and join in (or if you're in Leicestershire, the original Sing Christmas will also be taking place).

Sometimes I've inserted a more challenging reading, such as a poem or meditation into carol services. I think it's good to stimulate thinking or even be provocative, and not just tell the predictable story in the way they expect. The problem is, of course, that you get complaints. in my experience they have always come from non-regulars who come to church at Christmas. I well remember using a resource from TEAR Fund when I was a curate. A few days later we received a letter from a parishioner, who only came occasionally to things like carol services, complaining about the sketch and its script and referring to this 'outfit' who wrote the material. We replied politely, gently pointing out that the Bishop of Southwell was a prominent supporter.

So whilst I won't be using it in our carol service this year (as it's already planned), I fully recommend reading a reflection on Christmas by Martin Wroe, which is on the Ship of Fools website. SoF is best known for its satirical monitoring of the Christian world, but it has a more serious side, and I thought this piece was excellent. If you're feeling brave and you haven't planned your carol services in detail yet...

Back to blogging. The tables turned

The date of my last blog entry gives away the fact that the last three weeks have occupied all of my spare energy. I have been torn between wanting to blog something about the fact that my mum died on 21 Jan, and not putting stuff that's too personal online. I know people use blogs as therapy, but that's not my style.

As friends and family will know, mum died quite suddenly, in the midst of what seemed a very good recovery from surgery. Mum fell just before Christmas, breaking her femur, close to the hip joint. Surgery followed (on Christmas Day!) to fit a dynamic hip screw. All seemed to be well after 2 weeks in hospital, so she came home to us at Morecambe for a week. Having negotiated the house successfully, I tooker her and Dad home. A week later she collapsed and died.

It's been a bit odd being on the family side of arranging a funeral. I think I have taken somewhere around 400-450 during my ordained life, but this was different. Half of me knew the questions that would need to be addressed; this time it was me and Dad answering. In the event we had excellent support and care from Chilwell Road Methodist Church in Beeston, Nottingham. Mum was a member there, and her minister, Chris Gray, arranged the service with us. I was able to say something, and Jono played for one of the songs (Be Still for the Presence of the Lord, which was a favourite of Mum's.)

What I hadn't realised what just how tiring it all is. Obviously you don't sleep quite so well, but once we got the other side of the funeral and the tea that followed, I felt more tired than I can remember. It's certainly given me a very different perspective on the bereaved people I will have to deal with in the future. You can't imagine it until it happens, I suppose.

Thanks to everyone who has sent messages, cards and greetings. Our church community has been great, too. Hopefully we will be business as usual before too long.

A Bit of Ecumenical Cooperation

The Christmas Carol Service at Central Methodist Church, Morecambe's has been relocated to Morecambe Parish Church, due to electrical problems in their building. We have happily agreed to help our friends to hold their service by making our building available to them tomorrow.

The service will be a traditional service of carols and readings, and takes place tomorrow at 3pm at Holy Trinity, Poulton-le-Sands. Everyone is welcome!


View Larger Map

Advent Conspiracy

Just discovered the Advent Conspiracy website, which sets a serious challenge to the consumerist excesses which can prevail at this time of year. I discovered it via the Roman Catholic Lancaster Diocese website, which has got the Advent Conspiracy Youtube video embedded towards the bottom of the page.

It's not a killjoy message - just a call to get things into proportion and to keep our priorities right. Take a look

Christmas Tree Festival PS

This photo came out rather well, considering it's from a budget camera. I thought it deserved blogging as well as facebooking. This year's Morecambe Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival was very successful with lots of people visiting and lots of contacts made. Now back to Advent for a little rest!

9 Lessons and Carols

I felt this cartoon by Dave Walker deserved recognition
More at http://www.cartoonchurch.com

Christmas Tree Festival 2-5 Dec 2009

I know - it's not Christmas, but this week is our Christmas Tree Festival at Morecambe Parish Church. 75 trees from community organisations, local businesses, individuals and church groups. This is me and Simon, in front of his Help Direct tree. Help Direct provide information on all kinds of issues for 'getting the most out of life' - support, advice, volunteering, training, health and lots more.

Anyway, loads of stuff to see throughout the Church. Admission £1 for adults, accompanied children free. Tea/coffee and mince pies on sale throughout. Soup & roll available 12-2 on Saturday

Opening hours: 3pm - 8pm Wed - Fri, 10am - 5pm Sat

We even have a prayer tree (but no partridge in it)

Hope you can come.

Christmas comes early

The Headway Hotel in Morecambe is very quick off the mark this year. I thought it had some Christmas signs up to indicate bookings open for breaks, meals, parties etc. No, it's fully decorated for the season 2 months early.

Hope the staff are being spared carols and Bing Crosby for the next 9 weeks.


-- Post From My iPod Touch

Christmas Songs

I do find the annual ritual of putting away normal playlists in exchange for Christmas records extraordinary. Why should Christmas mean people take leave of their normal musical senses. To top it all we also have to endure the mandatory X-factor winner Christmas number 1. Jeff Buckley nearly made it to his rightful place ahead of a manufactured imitation, but there we are.

Made me wonder about my favourite "Christmas record". Greg Lake when I'm feeling cynical, Ring Out Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull has a certain pagan integrity, but Winter Song by Lindisfarne gets it for me. Any song with

"Do you spare a thought for Jesus, who had nothing but his thoughts,
Who gut busted just for talking, and befriending the wrong sorts?"

...has to get my vote.

In preparation for Christmas

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Lancaster Military Heritage Group Carol Service

Yes, that's what it is called! LMHG exists to foster good relations between the military and the community. I'm not quite sure of the origins of their carol service, but it alternates between Lancaster Priory (which has many military connections) and local churches. Because College campus was once a barracks, they wanted to come to Chapel. The congregation included the Mayor, various other dignitaries and Jimmy Armfield, one time England international, Leeds manager and currently 5 live commentator. I was impressed! Lots of Army and RAF cadets there too, of course.

Anyway, it all went off well. We had some biblical readings and a couple of wartime Christmas ones, and Mr Armfield read one chosen by me about the 1914 Christmas ceasefire. Almost feel famous by association.

I just think it's fascinating that all kinds of groups like this exist around the country and come together for events such as carol services. When they do, it's important that they experience some Christian hospitality and have an opportunity to hear something of the Christian message in an appropriate form. I have to say Bishop Geoff (new Bp of Lancaster) did an excellent job

Candles & Christmas

Just back from the College Christmas carol service. It's a bit of a sweat to pull together, but well worth it. Great atmosphere and the only lighting scheme that really works in my 1960s chapel. Loads of people there too, which is a plus. Well done to Steve Charman, my Methodist colleague who suggested the Nick Fawcett meditations. Result.

Tomorrow the Military Heritage Carols Service. Stay tuned.