Because of the vagaries of the church calendar and lectionary, Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth gets considerably more attention than Matthew’s account at Christmas-time. In Luke we follow the young couple on their journey to Bethlehem for the census and watch as the child born to Mary is laid in a manger because there is no room them the inn. We hear the angels’ announcement to the shepherds of the good news of a saviour and travel with them to Bethlehem to see this thing that has come to pass.... Read More...

There is an insightful scene in an episode of The Simpsons.

Police Chief Wiggum and Homer Simpson are in pursuit of a car. They are driving in what appears to be desert-like conditions. As the Chief radios in to HQ to inform them of their location he says: “We are directly under the earth’s sun NOW”.

Incredulous? Certainly. Lesson to be learned? Always.... Read More...

Are you having difficulty getting into the Christmas spirit this year? I’ve heard several comments from many that this is so. For some it is simply the lack of snow that makes it hard to believe Christmas is almost here. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without that white stuff gently falling – allowing holiday opportunities for tobogganing, skating and skiing with family and friends. Perhaps it is all the political turmoil in our country that challenges our Christmas spirit. For others, the lack of Christmas spirit has a much more serious source.... Read More...

A more recent scientist, of whom I know something at second-hand, is Geoffrey Hardy, the mathematician at Oxford whose textbook on pure mathematics was compulsory study for many undergraduates in the 1940-1960 period. A lifelong bachelor, Hardy lived with his sister in Oxford and in addition to pursuing his studies and supervision in Oxford, had several graduate students which he advised at the University of Bristol.... Read More...