Christmas Time in the UK
Reflections, Spurgeon, & Christmas Activities
Christmas Reflections
It may come as no surprise that our household has an admiration for the work of C.H. Spurgeon. In fact, on numerous occasions, I’ve received various books authored by the prince of preachers as timely gifts during the Advent season. There’s quite a lot to explore as a supplement to Biblical study and meditation, and what I find most interesting is the eloquent manner in which he elaborates and elucidates a point from the text of Scripture—as if an artist wielding a brush before a blank canvas.
Preachers the world over have come to appreciate Spurgeon’s colossal contributions from the pulpit, but what many may not have considered is his view of Christmas. After all, he followed the pattern of his Puritan predecessors, who opposed any ecclesiastical compulsion of such popish festivities due to the lack of biblical precedence and its relation to drunkenness, excess, gluttony, as well as superstitious beliefs and practices.
However, throughout his life, Spurgeon did value Christmas and found no reason to discourage its celebration, particularly as it concerned the gathering of family and friends.
1843 - Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol - a powerful story about selflessness and generosity—drawing attention to the plight of the working class. Spurgeon was at the tender age of nine when it was first published and loved the story so much that he purchased a copy for his library. He later believed that hardworking laborers benefitted from the celebration of the Christmas holiday because it afforded them a day of rest.
1848 - The Illustrated London News published a photo of Queen Victoria and the royal family gathered around a Christmas tree. Moreover, the Victorian age brought about new railways, which made it easier to travel home for Christmas, mass production of toys, and the introduction of the Penny Post, which meant Christmas cards could be mailed rather inexpensively.
1854 - Spurgeon moved to London, and there began a deep burden for the city's homeless—specifically the plight of hundreds of orphans. From 1866 to 1876, his church built two orphanages, and he and his wife Susannah would often visit them on Christmas Day. There were purported accounts of Spurgeon dressed up like Santa Claus and/or pulling out a coin from his pocket to give to each child.
Favorite Spurgeon Christmas Quotes
I pray that you glean from some of these words and take heed—reconsider or rethink what should be the focus and who deserves your full attention this Christmas Day.
“The Infinite has become the infant.”
“For this child is not born to you unless you are born to this child.”
“If the angels ushered in the gospel’s great Head with singing, ought I not to preach with singing? And ought not my hearers to live with singing?”
“Come to him, ye that are weary and heavy-laden! Come to him, ye that are broken in spirit, ye who are bowed down in soul! Come to him, publican and harlot! Come to him, thief and drunkard! In the manger there he lies, unguarded from your touch and unshielded from your gaze. Bow the knee, and kiss the Son of God; accept him as your Saviour, for he puts himself into that manger that you may approach him.”
“Behold, how rich and how abundant are the provisions, which God has made for the high festival which he would have his servants keep, not now and then, but all the days of their lives!”
“When you are at home on Christmas-day, let no one see your face till God has seen it. Be up in the morning, wrestle with God; and if your friends are not converted, wrestle with God for them.”
“If you have room for Christ, then from this day forth remember, the world has no room for you.”
Christmas Activities
From various church services held at South Aston and outreach organized in Walsall, here are a few UK-specific events organized during this Advent/Christmas season.
Celebration Service - A topical Christmas-themed message was preached, and carols were introduced in the worship setlist. Biscuits, pudding (dessert), and hot cocoa were served after the service.
Dress Up Nativity Service - Volunteers ranging from adults to children are invited to dress up as characters from the Christmas Story—animals in the stable, the star of Bethlehem, angels, Joseph, Mary, shepherds, and Magi—while a narrator takes us through an interactive story while carols and hymns are sung between segments.
Traditional Candlelight Service - This year, there was a joint service with the URC (as a witness and for relationship building) where we gathered to sing songs and worship our Lord—wielding candles, symbolizing the spread of the Light and Love of Christ through the proclamation of the Gospel.
Crossover Service (NYE) - Ushering in the New Year as a church family. It is a time of intentional prayer, meditation, and celebration.
Children's Christmas Activity - Families were invited to decorate a Christmas tree, build a biscuit house (the UK variation of the gingerbread house), or do some arts and crafts with construction paper—all while Christmas worship music and later a Christmas film was shown on a projector.
Christingle - Introduced originally in the 1960s, UK churches developed a craft that communicated the Gospel Message and got children and their families involved in church.
The candle represents Jesus
The orange represents the world
4 Cocktail sticks represent the four corners of the world
Sweets represent the good gifts God gives
Red tape represents God’s love for the world in Christ
CHRISTMAS CARD
END-OF-YEAR GIVING
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*Coastlands Community Church is in direct partnership with Redemption Hill (Walsall church plant).
