Minister's Update

It’s great to be with your family at this time of year. Seeing the excitement of little children and their sense of wonder at presents or falling snow (if it comes!) Families reunited after some members being away. Catching up on what’s been happening throughout the year. Reflecting on changes – new family members, babies born – some members no longer with us, family deaths. Sharing fun and food and friendship.

And at the centre of it all – another family. A family with difficult decisions to make. A baby on the way – in circumstances difficult to explain to people. A long journey to be undertaken because of political decisions – and just when the baby was due. No place to stay. A birth in unsanitary conditions. A makeshift cot.

And yet … Wonder and glory and light … hope in the darkness. Prophecies long forgotten brought to mind … “Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Herdsmen from the more disreputable fringes of society come with amazing news: “Angels told us! ‘To you is born today in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. Here’s the sign: You will find him wrapped up warmly, but lying in a cattle trough!’”

Astrologers came from eastern countries. “Where is the one born King of the Jews?” They had seen his star in the east and had come to worship him. His star!

King Herod disturbed … and all Jerusalem with him. Another King? Another King … one Jesus. The Return of the King. One whose blood line had long lain hidden. One whom the powers that be tried desperately to destroy. “They cut him down, but he leaps up high. He is the life that will never, never die!”

For some it will be a bleak Christmas. Homelessness. Broken relationships. Addictions. Domestic violence. An empty chair where once a loved one sat. Failing health.

And yet … the Homeless One comes near. The one who left his home in glory. The one who had nowhere to lay his head. The one for whom the world had no room. The one who was an asylum seeker in Egypt before he was two years old. The one who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The one who was driven out of the world and despised. The one who lost family and friends and ultimately even God. The one who lost everything to save us.

He says, “I know! I understand! I have been there! But I have returned! I have conquered. And that victory can be yours! If you will take me as your Saviour!”

A merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Alex MacDonald

Assistant Minister's Update

As I write this update, I am aware that we are all busy preparing for Christmas - shopping, writing cards, cooking, planning travel, etc. I just hope that we remind ourselves that the centre of all that we are and all that we do whether in December or at any other time of the year is Jesus Christ. We marvel at his birth and share in the joy of the shepherds who heard the message of "Good news of great joy that will be for all the people." We remember that his life was a life of perfection - perfect love and perfect obedience. We also rejoice that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was willing to lay down his life and we stand in amazement at the empty tomb and realise that "He is not here. He has risen!" So let us remember the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. At Christmas, many people have a vague idea about mangers, shepherds and wise men - we must be able to tell them the whole story.

On a personal note, I would appreciate your prayers for Tuesday 16th December at 10.30am when I go into Saughton prison for my interview for a part-time chaplaincy post. I have an interview and a ten minute presentation on "My Vision for Prison Chaplaincy." Please pray that I would be able to speak clearly and articulate a coherent and faithful vision for the work of the gospel in prison.

Tonight (Thursday), we concluded our second Christianity Explored Course - thanks to all who help run the course, thanks to Anne Grant and Catriona Macdonald for their excellent cooking and thank you to everyone who came along. If you missed Christianity Explored, look out for Christianity Applied commencing in January (see a note later in the newsletter).

Heather joins me in wishing you a joyous Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Bob Akroyd

News

New Arrival
On Wednesday November 26 Carys MacDonald Lytle was born weighing in at 6 pounds and 6 ounces. Sarah, Richard and Carys are all reported to be doing well. Grandparents and Great Grandparents too are delighted!

Bon Voyage
We say goodbye to Will Conrad as he returns to the states after several months in Scotland as an intern with the Scottish Parliament. We wish him well in his continued studies. His contact details in the states are: Home Address: 1407 Bay Hill Drive, Austin, TX 78746, USA. University Term Address: 6320 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA. E-mail: wconrad@rice.edu, Phone: 011 713-240-8803

Baptism
At the morning service on December 21st, Esther Lopez, the daughter of Antonio and Catriona will be baptised. We wish the Lopez family every blessing and pray that this service would be a blessing to them.

Refurbishment
The next stage in the refurbishment of the hall begins on Wednesday December 17th when the carpet in the hall will be replaced with the wonder material marmoleum. Thanks everyone who has worked so hard to improve the hall.

YF Weekend Away

The YF weekend away was on the 5th to the 7th of December (that’s why there were a distinct lack of young folk in Buccleuch on Sunday morning and a distinct smell of unwashed young people at the evening service.)

We were in a wee Youth Hostel at the side of Loch Lomond – a brilliant setting for a brilliant weekend. Neil Macmillan was our speaker and was talking from Isaiah and was thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, teaching about The Wonderful Councillor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Being a YF weekend away, there was of course the usual hilarities and insanities that go on at all weekends away – a particularly muddy game of football, a good game of rounders, swimming in Loch Lomond, a walk on the hills at 1am and excellent food provided by our three wonderful cooks.

Noticeboard

Night Shelter:
The night shelter is here again – on 7th and 8th January, and 10th and 11th February! This is a great opportunity to meet some of men and women who are homeless, and also to spend some time with the staff of the Night Shelter. As in other years, there are 3 shifts requiring 2 people each: 8pm – 12am; 12am – 4am; 4am – 7am. A sheet will be up in the hall for people to volunteer for shifts. If you are wondering why we have members of the congregation involved, this is due to the requirements of our insurance company. Ask Andrew Cumming for further details of the insurance! Our first slot for the night shelter is three weeks away, but planning ahead is advisable, especially if you’re doing a night shift…Looking forward to seeing a full sheet!

Church Clean Up/Fresh Start
Thank you to everyone who helped at yesterday’s church clean up and to all who have donated goods for Fresh Start. For those who haven’t heard, Fresh Start is the Edinburgh Churches’ Charity, helping people who have been homeless to create a new home, resettle in the community and build new lives for themselves. The following items are needed (and can be brought to church for collection):

Basic household necessities - crockery and cutlery, pots and pans, bedding and linen, cleaning materials etc.
Small electrical goods - kettles, toasters, lamps etc.

For more information, please contact Ian Urquhart (334 1988 or jdmu@tinyonline.co.uk) who for some years has been a volunteer through his Rotary Club and who is now also the Free Church’s representative on the Council of Management.

Freewill Offering Envelopes
Freewill offering envelopes for 2004 are now available in the hall. If anyone would like a set of envelopes for the first time, please speak to Sheila Anderson

Coffee House Talk
On the evening of Monday 22 December at 7.30pm we will have a Coffee House Talk in the hall. We will have food and festive singing and there will be a talk entitled, “The Birth of God.” Please come along and invite your friends too!

Kirk Session
The Kirk session next meets on Monday January 19th at 7.30pm at the Manse.

Home Bible Study
The next home Bible study will be on Wednesday, January 14th. We will continue our study on the Holy Sprit looking at “The Work of the Holy Spirit – Sanctification.” Please look out for the studysheet listing the subject and venues nearer to the time.

New Directory
Please pick up your new copy of the congregational directory which has just been published.

Guest Service – Encounters with Jesus in Luke’s Gospel
The next in our series of guest services will be on Sunday January 18th at 6.30pm when Alex will preach on, “Big Forgiveness,” Luke 7: 36 - 50. Take this opportunity to invite your friends to church to hear the Good News about Jesus Christ and pray that God would use this occasion to challenge and convert those who attend.