This New Year’s we have prepared an online service celebrating New Year
The service is available from midnight on 1st January 2022 just as the bells ring in the new year.
There’s contributions from members of the congregation including Rev Kevin de Beer, Zandra Swan and Sharon Malone.
Last year, 2020, no Christmas tree adorned our lovely Church due to COVID and services being suspended. It is with great delight we were able to have our Christmas Tree reinstated for the Christmas Season in 2021. Thanks go to our gang of Elves who faithfully decorate the church, including the tree, each year.
On this the 1st Sunday after Christmas we thought we’d share some pictures of this years tree and some anecdotal information about some items we might see on a Christmas Tree.
Martin Luther also started the tradition for decorating trees after he put candles on the tree he took, to make it look like stars were shining through. In 1895, Ralph Morris developed electric lights as easier (and safer!) alternative.
Christmas baubles first originated in Germany after ‘trees of paradise’ were decorated with red apples for the miracle plays which took place outside the church on Christmas Eve. These soon became the baubles we know and use today.
Originally, the infant Jesus adorned the top of Christmas trees. However, this trend later evolved to a star or an angel, which are both significant Christian symbols in the Nativity of Jesus.
The Star of Bethlehem, also referred to as the ‘Christmas Star,’ guided the wise men, or Magi, to the birthplace of Jesus in the Christian story of Jesus of Nazareth’s birth.
The Star of Bethlehem, a five-pointed star, is unique in that it is only referenced in the Gospel of Matthew’s nativity story. The star signifies the birth of Christ (or Messiah).
Astrology also factored heavily into the Bible. Stars, moons, comets and galaxies were considered heavenly bodies interpreted as signs from God.
Hello everyone
Well, Christmas Eve is finally here – it amazes us just how quickly Christmas has come around again.
It is the season to be jolly as the song goes, but also the reason for the season is Christ!
We trust and pray that our online offerings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day help to bring you closer together as a Church and Wider Family, but also reminds us of the glorious gift that first Christmas
www.bellshillcentral.church/watch-live has all you need – but here is the finer detail
Why not, whilst you are getting ready today or even during Christmas Day itself, listen to some of our Christmas Music Videos
We have posted some Christmas Reflections this week on the website
Please have a look here:
If you missed our Christmas Eve All Age Nativity Service, then you can catch up here. Our service was led by Young Church and contained a wonderful message. You’re always warmly welcome at Bellshill Central Parish Church, in person or online.
Our Sing a Song for Christmas was a great success. You can catch up via this YouTube video https://youtu.be/V0gSTbuDFyw?si=a1_3tDuQbPViRsp2 Our guests from Lawmuir, Mossend and Noble Schools were just fantastic. We had a special speaker from Hope for Autism, and our donations raised over £400.
As an alternative to our usual online worship, due to a technical issue, we couldn’t livestream. However, our friends at Cockpen and Carrington Church have graciously allowed us to share their worship service on 1st December. The service is led by Rev Lorna Souter The music is led by Graham Burnside and the Choir of…
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MERRY CHRISTMAS
from all at
BELLSHILL CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH
With grateful thanks to a former organist of “The Mac” Church here in Bellshill, David Fisher, who is now organist at Orchardhill Church in Giffnock.
David and his choir recorded and prepared this Christmas Recessional during lockdown 2020 and due to David’s organ concert being cancelled it was more than appropriate to include David and his choir in our Christmas reflections.
Today we have chosen to highlight “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. It features an exhilarating melody written by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and adapted by William Cummings, to lyrics originally penned by Charles Wesley, based on the Luke 2 account of the Birth of Jesus, and altered by his student, George Whitfield.
It is a privilege over the years to use wonderful arrangements of this Christmas Carol, by Sir David Willcocks and others, in Worship, and in concert; and have enjoyed listening to many recordings of it.“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus as Immanuel (“God With Us”) and presents many of the well-known names and descriptions of the Christ Child: Newborn King, Christ, Prince of Peace, Sun of Righteousness, Everlasting Lord, Incarnate Deity, Emmanuel; as well as His role in God’s Plan of Salvation: Bringer of Peace, Mercy, Reconciliation, Joy, Light, Healing and Life.
let us pray
Glory to You, O Lord, God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Glory to You, O Christ, our Newborn King!By the Light and Life You bring, reconciling sinners, be pleased to fix in us Your Humble Home, so that we too may join the triumph of the skies, where in Highest Heaven You are adored by saints and angels singing Your Praises, this day, on Christmas, and forever. Amen.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 