Perpetual Virginity – Making theology unnecessarily complicated

Roman Catholics place a strong emphasis on Mary as worthy of homage and devotion.  They refer to her as The Virgin Mary, believing that she was a perpetual virgin. This goes beyond the idea of a virgin conception or virgin birth to a permanent, celibate life. I want to have a look at this in… Continue reading Perpetual Virginity – Making theology unnecessarily complicated

How accurate is your nativity play?

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The Sunday School nativity is one of the great traditions of Christmas.  Dish out a few carboard crowns and tea towels, find some white tunics and tinsel, then get the children to act out the events of Christmas.  But how accurate are our nativity plays and how much do they rely on tradition rather than… Continue reading How accurate is your nativity play?

Christmas Eve

You know how they say that a picture is worth a thousand words? This is that picture. Eve who with her husband brought death into the world became the mother of life. She was brought under the crushing curse of sin and death but her descendent the promised seed crushed the serpent’s head. Here in… Continue reading Christmas Eve

Mary did you know?

Do you find that your faith is at times fragile? Is your knowledge about the Bible and doctrine seriously incomplete? Then today’s #DailyDose looking at another carol is just for you! Here’s the audio version of the talk And you can watch on YouTube here This is a beautiful version of the carol by Pentatonix… Continue reading Mary did you know?

Don’t be afraid – the first message of Easter

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It’s Sunday morning. On the Friday, the Mary’s had watched to see where Jesus was buried. They then couldn’t do anything further on the Sabbath but on the Sunday, they make their way early to the tomb. We know that the aim of the women was to take spices to anoint the body. But something… Continue reading Don’t be afraid – the first message of Easter

Mary did you know?

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I love the lyrics to the carol “Mary did you know?”  I particularly love this version by Pentatonix. The Carol sets up an imaginary conversation with Mary asking her questions in order to highlight the contrast between the seemingly ordinariness of a little, fully human baby and the wonder of his divinity and his role… Continue reading Mary did you know?

Finding favour with God

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In Luke 1:28, the angel Gabriel addresses Mary as a “favoured woman” in case she (and we) don’t get then point, he again tells her “you have found favour with God”[1] What does it mean for Mary to have found favour? Roman Catholic tradition seems to put the focus on her and her life. Mary… Continue reading Finding favour with God

Responding in faith

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Luke 1 sets two angelical visions against each other. In the first vision, Gabriel appears to an old priest named Zechariah to tell him that he is going to have a son.  Six months later, the same angel appears to a young girl called Mary who is betrothed to be married.[1] She too will have… Continue reading Responding in faith