JESUS is the Reason for the Season

For weeks now our High Streets have been busy and shops have been filled with all manner of Christmas paraphernalia. The gamut of popular Christmas tunes have been blaring out wherever you go.  Whilst I have to confess that I do like a good sing-a-long whilst I'm shopping, there is much on show that has very little to do with the true meaning and essence of Christmas.

The Germans are infact credited with introducing the Christmas tree tradition back in the 16th century; and Sir Henry Cole designed and sent the first Christmas cards in 1843.

King Henry VIII made turkey popular as the classic Christmas meal, and our customary rich fruit Christmas pudding only came about by the end of the 1500s
 

Whilst the music and the food and the presents make Christmas fun for family and friends, much of the true meaning of the season has, sadly, been left by the wayside. Christmas in its truest meaning is quite simply about the celebration of the birth of Christ and all that his life, death and resurrection means for each and every one of us.

The Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory,

the glory of the one and only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Some of us are fortunate enough to have family around us this season but, for many, Christmas can be a difficult time. It may be that you are grieving  ...  may Jesus comfort you. It may be you are away from family, you feel lonely and isolated  ...  may you know the loving embrace of Christ this Christmas.  Maybe you feel exhausted, over-worked or overwhelmed with demands  ...  may the peace of Christ invade you, mind, body, soul and spirit.  Wherever you find yourself this Christmas season, my hope and my prayer for you is that you would catch even the tiniest glimpse of the Christ child. 

Where are they now? Valerie

Hello Everyone.  My name is Valerie. I came from France and spent six months at the University of Greenwich to finish my Bachelor degree of Biology. Six months may seem like far too short a time but it was one of the best times of my life.  Thanks to Lynne and the TABLEtalk events she organises, I encountered a lot of people who have now become my friends.

Six months is short but I learned so much in that time. I discovered a new country as well as a new culture, but not only that; I discussed things with my friends and learned about their cultures and their religion. It was really interesting. Thanks to my friends I improved my language skills. Another very interesting things was to compare the learning process between France and the UK. It was really different but I loved it!!

After my return to France, I graduated my Bachelor degree and started a Masters degree in Ecology. In France this takes two years but I took a kind of internship, so I just graduated this year.  I left the UK in 2016 and in these three years a lot of things have changed. I changed university in France and have moved countless times. But I am happy to discover more of my own country too.

To validate my last year of MSc I did a six-month internship in a nature reserve on the Island of Noirmoutier. The landscape was magnificent and I was able to take care of a colony of birds (among other things). It was a rewarding experience!

I have now returned at my home and live with my parents. I like to see my family and my friends that I have not seen for a long time. I really appreciate that. At the same time I am looking for a job in ecology.

I am now looking forward to finding a job and seeing what the future holds. I also hope with all my heart to come back one day to England to see my friends who are still there. Unfortunately I have not been able to see them this year but I hope to see them again soon !

Thought for the season ...

Christmas Celebrations

Our Carols on Campus took place on Tuesday, Dec 10th in the Ward Room, Pembroke.  I'd really like to thank all those who helped make the event happen ... those students who helped with set up, for Adrian (aka Liberace) on piano and for our readers Humphrey and Boppy.  Thanks also to Jeremy who brought a great message about LIGHT  ...  Light that brings comfort, Light that illuminates our path and guides our way, Light that reveals truth, and Light that sustains life.

Christmas @ the World Cafe  ...  this year at World Cafe we gave away 80 Christmas gift bags :-)

A big thank you for my friend Chris who helped me put all the bags together!

It was such a pleasure to give them all out.

In  addition, we had our Christmas draw for a wonderful hamper donated by Ese.


The fortunate recipient was Arwa Selim










TABLEtalk Christmas Party  ...  this year we held the party at Lynne's place.  Enjoying a lovely feast of cheeses, grapes,  meats, olives, pate, bread, etc.  All good comfort food :-)

In addition to a wonderful feast, we shared Christmas crackers, some dreadful Christmas jokes (most of which were a mystery to our international students) and then we did our gift exchange.

Jose, Carolina, Rhandi & Louna

Lynne, Aiste & Frank

Pad, Diana, Troy, Nadia & Rania

Basel, Lynda & Humphrey

Sue, Jon and Great Aunt Pauline :-)

Still lots of Christmas events to come,

so watch this space ...

Thought for the week ...

Winter Fair

Well done GKU for a great Winter Fair today ... music, mulled wine and lots of Christmas cheer :-)

 

Thought for the week ...