As Christmas approaches here's the latest from our Nub News columnist A Churchwarden writes...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St Mary's

After all the excitement of our sister Church, Holy Saviour's wonderful Christmas Tree Festival St Mary's has it's own spectacle on view for all to enjoy.

Following a few years' absence, a wonderful 14ft high tree is planted securely once more in front of the Trinity Chapel.

After nearly a week of creative toil by our chief arranger, Margaret, and the use of a large set of step ladders, the results are spectacular.

The decorations this year are truly beautiful, it looks like a picture book illustration.

The impressive golden star on the top had to be put in place first (see photo).

It is there to remind us of the Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star. It is described in the Gospel of St Matthew as appearing in the sky to let the Magi, or Wise Men, know that Jesus was born, and later guided them to Bethlehem.

That story is told in the painting high up on the north wall of St Mary's, and we'll learn more about that in the New Year around Epiphany.

Bright comets do appear in the sky from time to time, and have been described as 'hanging over' particular cities or lands, as the Star of Bethlehem is often represented.

We know that Halley's comet was visible in the area in 12 BC, and would have been bright enough to be described as a star. There was also a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, which occurred in 7 BC, a more favoured candidate for the role.

Churches Together

Our thoughts were even more 'out of this world' on Sunday evening, when St Mary's hosted the monthly 'Churches Together' Theological society.

We heard from from Andrew Jackson, a local science teacher, and Paul Meacham, an engineer who works on the Exomars Rover project as well as the Rev Chris Bunce, Vicar of St Marys.

The relaxed discussion included lots of insights into how increasing knowledge about cosmology might influence and deepen our theology about the stars, planets and galaxies and creation.

Watch this space

Next weekend a special Christmas message will appear on the East Window of St Mary's as we light up Hitchin, so watch this space.

But for now we will conclude with our official Christmas message.

Christmas Message

After such a damp squib of a Christmas in 2020, we are delighted to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with great JOY this year.

One of the sadnesses of Christmas starting ever earlier each year is that it finishes ever earlier.

People begin Veganuary, and Dry January and remove their decorations before the Christmas season is over, at Candlemas.

So much for the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Through Advent to Christmas and Epiphany, we plan to keep the hope and joy of Christmas alive for a little longer.

Such is the enormity of the love of the God who is with us, Emmanuel, a light to all nations and the hope of the world. It is a hope that lives on in us through the darkness of January and beyond.

Our principal Christmas Services are below.

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve: 4pm Family Crib Service by candlelight

(bring your presents to show!)

With all good wishes for a blessed, joyful and hopeful Christmas and happy new year,

The Vicar and Churchwardens

Next week…the Crib is arriving soon

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For more visit our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/c/stmaryshitchin

Further details of our services and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin and www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/

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