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Welcome to our Christmas page introducing the Christmas services at Enderby Parish Church as well as offering some reflections on the momentous events of that first Christmas.

Luke 2 : 2-20

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.


In Britain, Christmas is often a time of parties, presents, family, turkey & stuffing, television specials and the culmination of a lot of shopping. A holiday to rest or party. However, all the trees, tinsel and presents are relatively recent additions to Christmas. Behind the festivities lies an amazing history of the unique birth of a child that would change the world.

Descriptions of this birth are contained in Luke's (left) and Matthew's (Below) Gospels. The events may not have occurred around late December. Indeed, the date of Christmas Day, 25th December in Britain, was more likely chosen because it is just after the shortest day in the year (in the northern hemisphere), the aim being to replace the pagan celebrations that began as the days grew longer again.

The Christmas story tells us of historical events that give us an insight into who Jesus was and how he could change the world;

We see in the events of Jesus' birth that this child is truly the Son of God. His divine nature is highlighted by the wondrous virgin birth, by the angels who praise God and announce the birth to the shepherds, and the homage given to the baby Jesus by the wise men (Magi). And yet, Jesus is truly human, illustrated by his birth in the stables of an inn.

Jesus needed to be simultaneously totally divine and totally human to die for our sins on the cross. He had to be the divine Son of God to be the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of the sins of all those who believe in Him. But at the same time He had to be totally human to suffer and die in our place. This amazing dual nature of Jesus is beautifully shown in the events of Jesus' birth.

Also Christmas provides us with an additional opportunity to express our praises to God. We can use this special time to do the same thing as the heavenly host did; "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Through the lovely melodies and special words of the Carols, we can also give Glory to God.

Finally, Christmas is a time for joy in all we have and all we can have through Jesus Christ. All of us at Enderby Church wish you a joyful Christmas and warmly invite you to join us at our special services listed in the right column. Happy Christmas.


December 16

9.30am CHRISTINGLE SERVICE

6.00pm Evening Service

December 23

9.30am NATIVITY SERVICE

6.00pm CHRISTMAS SONGS OF PRAISE

December 24 Christmas Eve

3.00pm CHILDREN'S CAROLS
6.00pm FAMILY CAROLS
11.30pm MIDNIGHT COMMUNION

December 25 Christmas Day

9.30am CHRISTMAS MORNING
All Age Family Service

All at Enderby Parish Church wish you a very happy and joyful Christmas

We warmly invite you to join us at our special services listed here.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, although this might not have occurred in late December.

The events celebrated at Christmas show us that Jesus was totally divine and human at the same time.

Christmas provides a special time to praise God and turn to Jesus.

Christmas is a time to be joyful for all we have and all we can have through Jesus Christ

As we remember Jesus' birth, it is important to remember why he came; To be a sacrifice for our sins.

Matthew 1:18 - 2:12

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.