ParishMagazineStEustachius’Tavistock,GulworthyandBrentTor

December2020

Contents:

• FromtheVicarage-V.RevdChrisHardwick• Quotes,PoemsandaPrayerforAdvent–AlisonJackson• ChristmasinBrentor-HelenHarris• TheNightbeforeChristmas-RevdSueTucker• TalesfromtheTower–DonnaBaker• AreYouaWatchman?-RevdMikeLoader• TavistockLivingAdventCalendar-RevdRosieIllingworth• ChristingleService-RevdRosieIllingworth• GulworthyNotes-GillReed• OnlineAdventReflections-RevdRosieIllingworthandRevdDrHazelButland• TheNewTestamentGospelaccordingtoMark–IanSilcox• TalesfromtheTowerQuizAnswers

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FromtheVicarageDecember2020ChristmasisNOTcancelled!WearehopingtodoasmuchaswecanoverChristmas,safelyandwithinthecurrentguidelines.AsthesituationisconstantlychangingduetoCovid-19,allourplansaresubjecttolastminutechangessopleasekeepcheckingournoticeboardsandwebsitesforthemostuptodateplans.DependantonCovidguidancerelevantatthetime,itishopedthat,inTavistock,MidnightMasswillbeheldat11.30pmonthe24thDecember,andaChristmasMorningEucharistheldat9.30amonChristmasDay.Sadlythough,forboth,numberswillberestricted,anditwillbenecessarytobookaplaceforoneoftheseservicesinadvance.Tobookaplace,pleasecontactMaryWhalley(Churchwarden)on01822481179fromthe15thDecember.ServiceswillalsobeheldatChristChurch,Brentor,onChristmasEveat11.00am,andatSt.Paul’sGulworthyonChristmasDayat10.30am.TheChristmasStoryChristmasoffersusallanopportunitytocaptureglimpsesofchildhoodsacredmemories.ThereisatimelessnessaboutgazingintothecribandcomingfacetofacewiththetruththatGodcamedownfromheavenanddweltamongusasahelplessbaby.TheGospelstorytellsusthatatBethlehem,onastarrynight,theSonofGodwasborn.Aburstoflightstartledtheshepherds,andAngelssangathisbirth.Itisthesimplicityofthishappeningthatcapturesourimagination.Christmasismorethanastorythatistold,

it’saboutabirththatbringsheavenrightdowntoearth–“lovecamedownatChristmas”andgaveaneternalvaluetoourlives.Jesus’birthwasadifficultandbitterexperienceforJosephandMary.TherewasnothingromanticaboutthefirstChristmas.JosephandMarywerepoorpeople,whofounddoorsclosedtothem,andwhowereforcedtoshelterinastablewhereanimalsgaveuptheirmangerforthebaby.Themessageisclear:Fromtheverybeginning,theloveofGodisavailabletoall,butespeciallytothepoor,theweak,andthedisadvantaged.Aswegazeintothecrib,weareremindedofourneedtoseegraceandgoodnessinthemostdeprivedofpeopleandsituations,andoftheneedtoprayforvisiontoseethingsGod’sway,andforthecouragetoactaccordingtohiswill.AtthebeginningofhisGospel,StJohntellsus:“InthebeginningwasthewordandthewordwaswithGodandthewordwasGod….Andthewordbecamefleshanddweltamongstus”.AsChristmasapproaches,weareallinvited,onceagain,tocelebrateGodwhomakeshimselfknowntous,andwhocomestoustoshowushowtoliveandhowtolove.Allhumanlifeispartofthisstory.WediscoverthatChristcomestousinthewonderofeveryhumanbeingandasherevealshimselfinthevalueanddignityofeverypersonwithwhomweliveandwork.Christmasisastoryofcareandconcernforeveryone,andofGod’sinvolvementintheworldinwhichwelive.Jesuscomesintoallthecomplexitiesofhumanlivingtoshowusthroughhisbirth,life,death,andresurrection,thatthingscanbedifferent,thingscanbechanged.Itthisliesourhopeintimesofdifficultyanddistress.AsMary,Joseph,theangels,theshepherds,andthewisemenplaytheirpartinthestoryofpointingtoJesusandthenewlifeheoffers,sotoo,weareinvitedtobecomepartofthisstoryonceagainthisChristmas.Iwishyoupeaceandjoy,andeveryblessingthisAdventandChristmastide.ChrisHardwick--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quotes,PoemsandaPrayerforAdventWaitfortheLord;bestrongandtakeheartandwaitfortheLord.Psalm27:14

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TheComingbyRSThomasAndGodheldinhishandAsmallglobe.Lookhesaid.Thesonlooked.Faroff,Asthroughwater,hesawAscorchedlandoffierceColour.ThelightburnedThere;crustedbuildingsCasttheirshadows:abrightSerpent,ariverUncoileditself,radiantWithslime.

OnabareHillabaretreesaddened

Thesky.ManyPeopleHeldouttheirthinarmsToit,asthoughwaitingForavanishedAprilToreturntoitscrossedBoughs.ThesonwatchedThem.Letmegothere,hesaid.

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Lord,intheintensityofyourlove,yourespondtoourdeepestneedsandlongings;youchoosetocomeamongusinthislifeofpainandbeauty,catchingupourordinaryhumannessintoyourdivinelife.Helpustolaybeforeyouourhopes,fearsandlosses.Cometousinthepovertyofourstablesandthemangerofourhearts.RestoretousavanishedAprilthatoursoulsandlivesmaymagnifyourLordandrejoiceinGod

ourSaviour.Amen.

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Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.John1:5

ThereissomethinginmesobrightandshinninginitselfthatthedarknessIfallintoormakewhetherindespair

ordelightcannotthwarttheflow

ofthisinnerlight.MeisterEckhart

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ChristmasinBrentor-NOTcancelled!WeareplanningarangeofactivitiesandservicesforthisChristmas:howeverasweallknowplansmayhavetobechangedatshortnoticedependinguponcurrentgovernmentguidelines,sopleasecheckoutourwebsitebrentorchurch.org.ukAdventreadingsTherewillbeaseriesofreadingsandreflectionsontheBrentorChurchwebsitethroughoutAdvent,startingonDecember1st,amixofpoetryandprose,withshortvideosandphotostoillustrate-somethingtobrightenupdarkdaysbeforeChristmas.Nativityservice-inpreviousyearswehavedoneaservicewhereeveryonedressesupasdifferentcharactersandjoinsintheretellingoftheNativity,butthiswon'tbepossiblethisyear,soweareplanningashortvideo,usingthewonderfulknittedfigureswehavebeengiventoillustratethestory-checkonthewebsiteforourfinalproduction!ChristmascardsfromBrentorChurchWehaveawonderfulphotographforourcardthisyear,showingStMichaelswithacomettrailbehindit.Thisphotowastakenbyaphotographystudentanditisquitesomethingindeed,sowewillbedeliveringtheseasusualtoallthehousesinBrentor.

ChristmasEve-weplantoholdourusualMidnightMassat11pminChristChurch,butaswewillhavetobesociallydistancedseatswillhavetobebookedinadvance,sowecanmaintain2mdistancebetweenhouseholds.Again,pleasecheckonthewebsiteforuptodatedetailsnearerthetime.ChristmasDay-ourusualcarolserviceatStMichaelsintheafternoonwillnotpossiblethisyear(astherewere106peopletherelastyear,youcanseewhy!oh,thedaysbeforesocialdistancingwasrequired!!).ButStMichaelswillbeopenallday,withcarolsplayingandtherewillbelayministersorthechurchwardenstherefrom10amtotalktoanyonewhocomes,andtoprayforusallandabetter2021.NumbersinsidethechurchwillbelimitedatanyonetimebutanyonewhowouldliketocomealongforafewminutesonChristmasDaywillbeverywelcomeindeed.Helen--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TheNightbeforeChristmasWhatastrangeanddifficultthisyearhasbeenforallofus,thelockdowns,thetiers,nofamilygettogethersandparticularlynohugs.AsweapproachChristmaswiththemediaandpeopleclamouringforafamilyChristmasweneedtotaketimeandponderanewtheChristmasstory.Ithasbeenaroundfortwothousandyears;andabsolutelynothinghasbeenabletotakeawayitsmeaning,EmmanuelGodwithus,God’sloveinJesusChrist.Godhumbledhimselfandcameintoaworldverymuchlikeourown,wherewar,poverty,injustice,diseaseandselfishnessheldsway.HecamewithloveandamessageofanewKingdomoflovejusticemercyandpeace.Intoadarkworld,theChristchildcame,withonlyacrudestableforhisbirthandhismother’smilktokeephimwarm.TheonlyvisitorshehadwereangelsandshepherdsandJoseph,thecattle,sheepanddonkeytowatchoverHim.Intothatdarknightlovecamedownasalighttoshineinthedarknessandthedarknesshasneverovercomeit.AsChristiansweknowthatJesushasbeenwithusintimesofsorrowandjoyinthispastyearandthethousandsofcandlesthatshonefromourhomesduringthedarkestdaysoflockdowngaveushopeandinthathopeJesusLightoftheworldwatchedoverus.AsweapproachChristmaswiththeAdventbellringingout“preparethewayoftheLord”letusthinkonthesewordswrittenfromGod’sperspective.IwishyouallaverydifferentbuthappyChristmasandmaythetruemessageofChristmasfinditswayintoyourhearts,EmmanuelGodwithusWithloveRevdSue

T'wasthenightbeforeChristmas,

Godglancedovertheearth,Helookedto&fro,Alloverit'sgirth.

Theymisseditagain,Hesaidwithasigh,

Aheavyheartandatearinhiseye.

IgavethemmySon,Sotheycouldbefree.

Mygreatestgift,Tothemfromme.

Theytradedmein,

Foramaninred.Alittletree,

Andahorsedrawnsled.

HowdoIsavethem,Andmakethemsee.Myloveiscomplete,MyGraceisfree.

HowdoIhelpthem,Whenalltheyknow.Isatalkingsnowman,Andaboxwithabow.

Maybenextyear,

Theywillstopandsee.ThebiggestgiftofChristmas,Isthelittlechildfromme.

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TalesfromtheTowerIt’sbeenafunnyoldyear,hasn’tit.Idon’tmean‘funny’inthehumoroussense,ofcourse,butmoreinthewaythatMargaretThatcherusedthewordwhendeposedfrom10DowningStreet.Thatsortof‘funny’. Yettherehavebeencausesforcelebration-lockdownbirthdays,heldviaZoomwithbuntingandcardsdecoratingroomsthousandsofmilesapartandeveryonewearinghats,doorstepstreetpartiesforVEDayanddoorstepboottrailswhenthingswerealittleeasierduringthesummer.Picnicsonthemoor,adheringtotheruleof6andwavingtoanothersixfiftyyardsaway.And,foralittlewhileandhopefullysoonagain,thesoundofchurchbellsonSundaymornings. Andspeakingofchurchbells...let’shearavirtualdrumrollforavirtualperformancethatspannedtheAtlanticjustaweekorsoagoonNovember21,starringourown,ourveryown,PhilDunn,towervicecaptainandhostofourweeklyZoomvirtualpracticenights.(Someofusdoactuallypractisethen,asyouwillknowifyouhavereadmyeffortstoexplainthe‘RingingRoom’wayof‘ringing’-withpropersoundeffects-sothatwecanallmaintainourmentalskills,ifnotourphysicalones.) ThiswasaQuarterPeal,noless(takingaround45minutesonchurchbellsandonly9minutesmoreviacomputerkeystrokes).Itwasaveryspecialevent,celebratingthe400thanniversaryofthearrivalofthegoodshipMayflowerinAmerica,66daysafterleavingPlymouth,anditwasrungby3Britishand3Americanringers.Somethingthatcouldonlybeachievedwithmoderntechnology-soworthadrumroll,yes?Let’shearitagain.... Andnow,sinceit’sChristmas,wehaveourcelebratedStEustachiusBellRingers’ChristmasQuiz.(Thefirstand,hopefully,theonlyone.) Ready? 1.HowmanybellsdoesStEustachiusChurchhave?2.Wherewerethebellscast?3.WhatisthenameofthebiggestbellinExeterCathedral?4.WhichfictionalaristocraticdetectivesolvedthemysteryofthedeathofamaninabellchamberduringalongpealinEastAnglia?5.Whatwasthetitleofthenovel,andwhowroteit?

6.WhatdotheSalvationArmyandthecolouredpartofabellropehaveincommon?7.WhatisthenameofthemechanismthatstrikestunesonthebellsinStEustachius?8.WhatfamousfictionalcharacterrangthebellsofNorteDamecathedral?9.Whatisthebiggestharmonicallytunedbellintheworld?10.WherewouldyoufindtheWorldPeaceBell? HappyChristmas,everyone! DonnaBaker --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AreYouaWatchman?DoyoueverreadtheProphetEzekiel?Iknowitcontainssomevery‘imaginative’descriptionsofthe‘GloryofGod’whichcanbehardtounderstand,butwhatdoyoumakeofGod’stwicerepeatedwarningtoEzekielconcerning‘thewatchmanonthewalls’?AsthiswordfromGodwasgiventwicetotheprophet(Ez3v16-21,33v1-9)itwasclearlymeanttobetakenseriously,sodoesitholdanyrelevanceforusasChristiansinthispostmodern,andenlightened,twentyfirstcentury?InthesixthcenturywhenEzekielwasprophesying,thewatchmanstandingonthehighcitywallhadamostresponsibleroleashelookedoverthesurroundingcountrysideforanypossibleincomingdangers.Hewastherewithatrumpet,readytosoundawarning.GoddeclaredthatEzekielwaslikeawatchmantothenation,andlikethewatchmanonthewalls,hisobservationcouldgointhreepossibleways.Ifthewatchmansawadangerandsoundedthetrumpet,thepeoplecouldhearandgetprepared,ortheycouldneglectthewarningandsosuffertheconsequences.Thewatchmancouldevendecidethatwhenhesawthedangerhewouldnotbothertoblowthetrumpet,andheandallthepeoplewouldthenbaretheconsequences.ButfortheprophetGodwouldholdhimaloneaccountablefornotcommunicatingHis-God’smessagetothepeople.ThisisasoberingthoughtforusasChristians,dowehaveamessage,amessageofgreathope,thegospel,thatGodrequiresustocommunicatetooursociety,andwhatifwedonot?

Letmeapplythatthoughttoourrecent(15thNovember)SundaymorningreadingsforthesecondSundaybeforeAdvent,Zephaniah1v7,12-18,and1Thessalonians5v1-11,itmaybehelpfultoreadthoseagain.Youwillnoticeaverysignificantphraseoccurs‘thedayoftheLord’.Whatmaythatmeanandbereferringto?Isitsomethingtotakenoteofandmayitdisturbus?LetusstartbyfirstrememberingthatGodhascalledustobecomeHisbornagainchildren,Hecaresforus,holdingusinthepalmofHishand,soourhopeandtrustisinHim.Andsecond,thatGoddeclaredtoIsaiah(Is46v9-10)that,“IamGod,thereisnonelikeme,declaringtheendfromthebeginning.”GodhasgiventotheprophetsHiswordsothatwecantakeconfidenceinHimasweseeeventsofmanycoloursunfoldingbeforeoureyes.Asaboutathirdofthescripturesisprophecy,itmustbethereforsomepurpose,tosupportourhopeandtrustinthetrueandlivingGod.ThewritertotheHebrews(1v1-2)putitlikethis,“God,atvarioustimesandinvariouswaysspokeintimepastbytheprophets,andintheselastdayshasspokenbyHisSon,whomHehasappointedheirofallthings.”Wesharethathopeandpromise.Sothen,whatofthat‘dayoftheLord’?First,ZephaniahwasusingittorefertotheimmanentdangerabouttobefallJerusalemandJudeafromtheBabyloniankingNebuchadnezzar,andtotheresultingdestructionofSolomon’sTemplein586BC.

Buttheprophetalsorefersto‘thedayoftheLord’swrath’(Zeph1v18),adaywhichwouldmuchlatercometo‘alltheinhabitantsoftheearth’.Thatday,Ibelieve,iswhatwerememberduringthistimeofAdvent,whentheLordJesuswillcomeagainandmakeHissecondAdvent.ThattimewillbeunmistakableforJesusdescribeditlikethis(Mtt24v27),“Forasthelightningcomesfromtheeastandshinesasfarasthewest,sowillbethecomingoftheSonofman.ButwhenPaulwaswritingtotheChristiansinThessalonica,heseemstorefertoanother‘dayoftheLord’thatwillcomelike‘athiefinthenight’(1Thes5v2),whatarewetomakeofthat?ThatraisesacontroversialissueamongChristians,commonlyreferredtoas‘therapture’,or‘thesnatchingaway’,andwecannotgointogreatdetailnow,butmaybeatalatertimeifthereisinterest,butjustafewcommentsnow.OnoneoccasionJesusdescribedthattimelikethis(Luke17v34-35),“Itellyouinthatnighttherewillbetwoinabed;onewillbetakenandtheotherleft.Therewillbetwowomengrindingtogether;onewillbetakenandtheotherleft.”SaintPaulgivesalittlemoredetailsaying(1Corv51-52),“Itellyouamystery.Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged,inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrumpet...weshallbechanged.”AndtotheThessaloniansPaulsaid(1Thes4v17),“thedeadinChristwillrisefirst;thenwewhoarealive,shallbecaughtuptogetherwiththeminthecloudstomeettheLordintheair;andsoweshallalwaysbewiththeLord.”Thatbrothersandsistersisnotatimetofear,butagreattimetolookforwardtoifitshouldcomeinourlifetime.WeshallrisesinourresurrectionbodiestomeettheLordintheair;weshallmeetourSaviourandLordfacetoface,andbemetwithHislovinggazeuponeachoneofus.AsPaulwentontosaytothoseThessalonianChristians,“Thereforecomfortoneanotherwiththesewords.”Sowithsuchawonderfulfutureahead,shouldwenotbelikethepropheticwatchman,andwantthosearoundtoshareinsuchapromisedfuture?Blessings,andahappy,ifdifferent,Christmastoyouall.RevMike

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TavistockLivingAdventCalendarAspartofTavistock’scelebrationofChristmasintheseunusualtimes,businessandchurchesaroundthetownarecreatinga‘LivingAdventCalendar’.From1DecembervariousbusinessesandchurcheswillhaveaChristmassydisplayintheirwindoworshopfronttospreadsomeChristmascheer.SomeoftheTavistockchurcheshavejoinedin,andaremakingdisplayswhichdepictpartoftheChristmasstory:AbbeyChapel,theMethodistChurch,StEustachius,theURC,andtheSalvationArmy.TheStEustachiusdisplayisthankstothecreativityofRobWeston,theURCminister.Forchildren(ortheyoungatheart!)thereisalsoatrail:eachscenewillhavealettervisible,whichcanbecollectedandrearrangedtoformthetitleofafamousChristmascarol.Ifyoumanagetofindallthelettersandworkoutthecarol,youcanenteraprizedrawbyreturninganentryformtoTheRiverside@TheTavistockRed&BlackClub.Thetrailcanbecompletedinvariousdifferentways.Youcouldwanderthroughtownandseeifyoucanfindthemwithoutlookingatthelistofbusinesses.Eachbusinessisshowcasedonaparticularday,soyoucouldgotoonewindowperdaythroughoutDecember.Thetrailisalsoonline:everydayoneofthebusinessesorwindowswillbeshowcased,withashortvideointroducingthebusinessorchurch.ThechurchvideoswillhavearetellingoftheirpartoftheChristmasstory.Toviewthesevideosgoto:https://www.facebook.com/TavistockLivingAdventCalendar

PleasedosharethiswithanyonewhoyouthinkwouldappreciatealittlebitofChristmasjoy!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ChristingleService --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GulworthyNotes

AdventgreetingsfromGulworthy.Myhusband–acleric–saysthatadventisratherlikeCovid,nobodyknowsiftheyarecomingorgoing!ArewelookingbacktotheoldtestamentwithallitspromisesforthecomingoftheirMessiahorforwardstothetimeofChrist’sSecondComing?Allrathercomplex;butpersonally,IloveAdvent.Ilovethelookingforwardtoanewyear,totheadventurethatstartedwiththebirthofChristandthebeginningofanewageofhope.AdventformeisthepromiseofChristmasandallthatitcontains–love,togethernessandanewwayofseeingandexperiencingtheworld.So-here’stoachancetospendalittletimeatChristmaswithourlovedonesandtoapproachinganewyearwithnewadventures.Here’stothepromisesofvaccinesandhere’stopotentiallybeingabletoplanforthefutureinawaywehavenotbeabletodosinceMarch.LockdownendsonDecember2ndandalthoughDevonwillbeunderstricterregulationsthanbefore,wearenowabletoreturntopublicworshipinourchurches.AtStPaul’s,thismeanswewillberesumingSundayservicesfrom6thDecemberwithCommunionat11.15am.WewillcontinuetoopenthechurcheveryWednesdayfrom9am–3pmforprivateprayer.StillnosingingI’mafraidandstillwithmasks,butitwillbetrulywonderfultobeabletoshareworshipagainandwehopethatmanywilljoinus.

MayGodblessusandsustainusinGulworthyandbeyond.Happy,HappyChristmas.

Diarydates

ChristmasTreeFestivalatStEustachiusfrom27thNov–10thDec12–4.30pm

ChristmasServicesinStPaulsGulworthy2020

Sunday6thDecemberAdventHolyCommunion11.15am

Sunday13thDecemberAdventHolyCommunion11.15am

Sunday20thDecemberFestivalofChristmasat6.00pm

ChristmasDayHolyCommunionat10.30am

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OnlineAdventReflections

TogetherwehavepreparedaseriesofonlinereflectionsforAdvent,inspiredbyIgnatianGospelcontemplation.UsingyourimaginationwewillencourageyoutoprayerfullyimmerseyourselvesinStLuke’saccountoftheNativity,butsincethisisnoordinaryAdventseasonwewillbebeginningwithreflectionsonJesus,PrinceofPeace,calmingthestorm.InthefirstsessionHazelwillbeleadingeveryonethroughtheGospelaccountofJesuscalmingthestorm,helpingyoutorelivethestoryinyourimaginationbutwearegoingtoencourageyoutoexperiencethisformofmeditationforyourself.Wewillbesendingoutemailswhentheonlinesessionsarereadytoview.Wewillalsoattachthereadingandsomeotherresourcematerial,butyoumayliketohaveaBibleandalightedcandlenearyoutoo.ThisisanAdventlikenoother.Adventshouldbeatimeofwaiting,atimeofpreparationforthegreatfeastofChristmas.Thisyear,withlockdown,itisdifferentandourtimeofwaitingisveryreal,veryclearlydefinedaswewaitforthecoronaviruspandemictobeover;waitingforthestormtopass.ManycryouttoGod,asking‘whenwillthisallend?’Others,likethedisciplesontheboat,areevenpraying‘Lord,doyounotcarethatweareperishing?’ThestormhasbeensuchasignificantthemethisyearwearegoingtobeginourAdventreflectionswithJesusinthestormbutwewillalsobereflectingontheturmoilMarywentthroughpregnantbutunmarried.IntheweekbeforeChristmaswewilltraveltoBethlehemandweplantodoonemoreafterChristmas-intheTemplewithSimeonandAnna.Wehopeyouwillfindthereflectionsworthwhileandenjoyable.AsyousetasidetimetopauseandlistentoGodthisAdvent,acknowledgingGod’spresence,beassuredourLorddelightsthatyouarespendingtimewithhimandlongstorevealsomethingspecialtoyou.HazelandRosie--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TheNewTestamentGospelaccordingtoMarkAlmostcertainlythefirstgospeltobewritten,Markisshort,afastmovingandactionpacked16chapters.UnlikeMatthewandLukeitdoesnotrefertothenativityassuch,butstartswithJohntheBaptistpreparingthewaywiththebaptismandtemptationofJesusinchapter1v9-13,followedbythecallingofthefirstdisciples.ThegospelistraditionallyascribedtoMark,thediscipleandinterpreterofPeter,whoaccompaniedPeter(1Peter5:13)andPaul(Acts12:12,25).UniquetothisgospelitisinterestingtonotethatMarkseemstoalludetohimselfastheyoungmanwhoflednakedatthearrestofJesusatGethsemane(14:51) Thegospelisbasicallydividedinto2parts:therevelationofJesusastheMessiahfollowedbytherevelationofthesufferingofJesus.Vividdetailsareadistinctivefeatureofthisgospel,forexamplespecificreferencestothe‘cushion’intheboat(4:38)andtheoccasionalcriticalportrayalofthedisciplesasin8:14-21:‘Thediscipleshadforgottentobringbread,exceptforoneloafthattheyhadwiththemintheboat."Becareful"Jesuswarnedthem,"watchoutfortheyeastofthePhariseesandHerod."Theydiscussedthiswithoneanothersaying"Isitbecausewehavenobread?"AwareoftheirdiscussionJesusaskedthem"Whyareyoutalkingabouthavingnobread?Doyounotseeorunderstand?Areyourheartshardened?Doyounothaveeyestoseeandears,butfailtohear?Doyounotremember?WhenIbrokethefiveloavesforthefivethousand,howmanybasketfulsofpiecesdidyoupickup?""Twelve,"theyreplied.*"AndwhenIbrokethesevenloavesforthefourthousandhowmanydidyoupickup?"Theyanswered,"Seven".Hesaidtothem,‘Butdoyoustillnotunderstand?"Inthispassage,withitsreferencesto2multiplicationsoftheloaves,itisrelevant,Ifeel,thatonlyMatthewhasbothwhereasLukeandJohn’sgospelonlythefirstwiththeimplicationthattheapostleJohnwasnotpresentatthesecond.TheonlyotheruniqueiteminMarkisin3:20-21withtherecordingofourLord’sfamily,hismotherandbrothers,takingchargeofhimsaying"Heisoutofhismind"followedbywithwhatisadenialofthis,aprofounddiscourseaboutpossessionby

Satan/BeelzebubandtheunforgiveablesinofblasphemyagainsttheHolySpirit(seealsoMatthew12:31-32) AsIhavealreadysaidMark’sgospelhasnonativity/incarnationaccountssomuchtotheforeattheendofthismonth,butbeforethen,withthepenitentialseasonofAdventuntilChristmasEveIsuggestwereflectinitiallyonthegospelforthesecondSundayofAdvent,theopeningchapterofMark,theproclamationofJohntheBaptistthemessengerpreparingthewaywithhismessage‘......aftermewillcomeonemorepowerfulthanI,thethongsofwhosesandalsIamnotworthytostoopdownanduntie‘(1:7) WishingyouablessedAdventandahappyChristmas,andkeepsafe.Ian(Silcox)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tales from the Tower Quiz Answers 1.10bells2.TaylorsBellfounders,Loughborough3.GreatPeter4.LordPeterWimsey5.TheNineTailors,byDorothySayers6.BothcanbecalledSally.7.ACarillon8.Quasimodo9.TheOlympicBell,castfortheLondonOlympicGamesin2012.Itstands2metreshigh(usefulforsocialdistancing)andweighs22tons,18cwt,13lb.10.InNewport,Kentucky,US.Itwascastin1998. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------