Page 47 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • December 2012 47

‘No room at the inn?’
Andrew Francis from Haydon Wick
reflects on the Christmas message
Recently, I went to buy some Christmas cards. They were all full of
robins, Santas, and wintry scenes. When asked, the shop assistant said
they do not sell religious cards.
It made me realise how much of
the Christmas message has been
lost. Christmas is a time when Chris-
tians, the Church and, traditionally Hong in
the whole of society celebrates the
birth of Jesus. He was born in Beth- Oriental BUFFET RESTAURANT
lehem in a stable, because the local
pub or inn had run out of rooms –
even for a pregnant woman.
When I was a child, it was hard
to buy a Christmas card which did
Celebrate a super value
not tell part of the Christmas story. Celebrate a super value
There were images of Mary and the
yet super taste
stable or of shepherds listening to or perhaps will you bring an aging
God’s messengers (called angels) relative home for Christmas lunch?, yet super taste
or of wealthy Eastern rulers bring- or will you remember to visit that
ing gifts. lonely person down your street?
The Christian Bible unfolds the The Christmas story is not just Christmas
story of how God comes to us in about counting our cards or what Christmas
in Hongxin.
Jesus to be the example of a new presents we get, it is about letting
way of living. The Islamic Koran God in Jesus speak through our in Hongxin.
honours the prophetic work of lives. We can do that through hos-
Jesus and his mother Mary. Persian pitality. Unsure of the story? There
legends tell of kings travelling will be plenty of room at a church
with gifts. The world of faiths and near you to learn more.
Christmas find their focus in what • See Christmas services on page 13.
happened in that stable because • Andrew Francis is a poet & com-
there was no room at the inn. munity theologian. His latest book is
Will the God who shows himself Roast, Seasonal Vegetables
in Jesus find room in your Christ- called Hospitality & Community Af-
ter Christendom. Read more about
mas? Will you find enough to give it at www.bit.ly/af-book & Santa Claus Visit *
a gift to those who are homeless?,

West Swindon photographer is * In Evenings & Sunday of 28-Nov to 24-Dec
capturing Women of the World in her town
Sabine Coe who is from France and now lives in Toothill has been FREE Xmas Crackers for

taking pictures of women from around the planet who live in Swindon Parties Booked Before 28th-Nov*
and Wiltshire to be shown in an exhibition in 2013
Having lived here for 12 years she * T&C applied.
started the project to celebrate the
diversity of the town and already
has a portfolio of more than 20
women with origins including Bra-
zil, France, Kenya, New Zealand,
Turkey and the USA.
Sabine, right, would love to meet
other women of the world willing
to share their story and culture.
Anyone interested in taking part
can contact her via www.sabineco-
ephotography.com/wotw FREE Meal Voucher(s)

Linking people together for a Party with 6 or More Adults*
Pauline Powell, nee Rogers, 65, is a district nurse in Plymouth, and grew *Advance booking required, please
up in Park North. She attended Walcot Secondary Modern fifty years
ago where she knew Christine Batt, Claudine Powell, Ann la Roche and visit our website for details.
Ernest Owen.
She is still in contact with Claudine and Ann and married Claudine’s
brother in 1964 at the age of 17. Sadly he died aged 35 in 1978.
Pauline worked at Garrards for a short time and McKilroys in town. Booking line:
Now known as Paula she would love to hear from anyone who knew her 01793 877888
in Swindon. To make contact mail: [email protected]
• Find others seeking contact at the PeopleLink section of www.swin- Pepperbox Hill, Peatmoor,
donlink.com/people_links Swindon, SN5 5EZ
swindonlink Swindon Link w w w . h o n g x i n . c o . u k

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