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the HERALD Religion Wednesday December 18 1991 The future as seen through shoes Fourth Sunday or Advent Dec 1991 HUGH AND HIS NEW SHOES Life is full of significant moments I had one of them last week When I walked into the bouse after work I noticed that the young fellow was wearing his first pair of running shoes I noticed them immediately even before taking off my coat They re not Nike they re Fisher Price The young fellow has been walking for over a month but this was different I was more excited by these new shoes than I had been by his first steps A DAYDREAM I saw before me an Marcoscloset full of shoes from infant to adult sizes lined up in rows brogues desert boots slip pers sandals runners of every kind and cowboy rubber hiking and winter boots What does it mean 1 The young fellow is becoming a real person the wearing of the shoes was followed the next day by him greeting me at the door with my name 2 He 11 need shoes for the journey because although somedays he 11 walk in flowers there be many more when hell walk on stones Religion and Reality Jim Ryan He 11 have a public life His walking now is mostly private but one day hell walk in public One day his tread will be measured by others is it steady or hesitant is it light or heavy is It self possessed and confident or fearful and anxious Today he s known by others as our son but one day he 11 be known as himself without any reference to us his mother and father He walks in our shadow now but one day we 11 walk in his shadow JOHN JUMPS IN The stories of great men and women always begin in childhood we learn about their parents and the circumstances of their birth Medieval saints lives often begin before birth Hugh of St Victor for example is reported to have preached the gospel while in his mother womb Surely a sign of sanctity The suggestion is that the marks of greatness m men and women can be seen in their begin John the Baptist is noted for pointing to Christ He s the one who Mark reports as saying After me comes he who is mightier than the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie Another reference to shoes In Luke s gospel we go even further back to the origins of Christ Here the foetus of John the Baptist points to the one who will bear Christ In this Sunday s gospel reading the foetal John jumps and dances before Mary the same way King David jumped and danced before the Ark of the Covenant JUMPING INTO CHRISTMAS This Sunday s reading is a tran sition from Advent to the Christmas season proper We turn from our own preparations and from the one who prepared the way for Christ to consider once again the significant moment we call Christmas If John the Baptist gives us a clue as to how we are to behave before the Christ child we should be jumping with delight Christmas a time for giving By CHRISTINE WILLIAMSON Herald Special The most wonderful time of the year People canng people sharing gifts toys candies turkey pud ding and cakes Carols and songs Decorations Christmas trees Santa Loved ones that are away from home who phone or make their way back for that one special day Happy holidays or Seasons Greetings it says on the cards So we plan and prepare for that one perfect day It gives us joy to give to our family and friends to reach out with food or toys for those need It s the time of year for giving of our love and gifts It good to be able to pick that special present for the ones you care about Our true roots of Christmas are not Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings but a faith that God sent His Son as a baby into this world to save and help us With the birth of Jesus came a new beginning Let our thoughts go back to the time of the the shepherds the angels and the stars Mary and Joseph a place called Bethlehem the stable and manger Let our thoughts go back to the time of the first gifts to the words of the angels Fear not for behold I you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people For into you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord What will this Christmas mean to you Baking shopping gifts family and friends I hope so because these are good but when Christmas morning rolls into afternoon and the gifts are open ed our family and guests have gone home then its nice to know there is more More than our planning for that perfect day More than gifts toys and dinner More than even our family and friends So much more because Christmas is fear not Christmas is Good tidings Christmas Saviour Bible Digest Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap For he that to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Galatians 6 7 What you sow you reap What are you sowing In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came un to him and said unto him Thus saith the Lord Set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live Isaiah 1 Is your house in order Put your trust m the Lord before it is too late We understand the complexities of insurance and of people andean tailor the right policy to meet your needs CINDY INSURANCE BROKER I UNDERSTAND PAUL C ARMSTRONG INSURANCE BROKERS LTD MILL ST Hallon H lli Geo a BOSTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Re Shewn Croll Serv ce Sunday 9 30 a m Sunday School Sunday 9 30 a m Nursery Available During Service Annual Christmas Dec 30pm Carol And Lesson Service Dec 30 m i JangaryS 9 30am iiiL3 the HERALD DIRECTORY services coll our Advertising ANGLICAN St Church Alban Drive Acton Sunday Services 900am10 30am Sunday School 10 30 a m St The Anglican Church 537 Main St Glen Williams Service Times Sundays a m 10 a Church Georgetown ServiceTimes Sundays 00am 9 30am 15am Thursday 10 a m Sunday School 9 30a BAPTIST Baptist Church Mill St E Acton 8530690 Worship Christian Education 45a Maple Baptist Church Maple Ave Georgetown 873 WorshipllOOam Coffee Fellowship 30 a m Evening Praise 6 30 p Baptist Church 1 S Georgetown 2184 Worship and Children s Program 11 a ra Location of LOVE IN CHRIST Open Wed mornings CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ALLIANCE Alliance Church Mam St S Georgetown ServiceTimes Sunday am Sunday School 9 a m LUTHERAN Immjnuell Windsor Carole Sts Georgetown 1172 Worship am Sunday School 9 PRESBYTERIAN Knox Presbyterian Church Church Main Sts Georgetown 7585 Worship a Sunday School a UNITED St s S Georgetow n Worship 9 St John United Church Georgetown 2531 Worshipli Sunday School 11 St Johrs United Church Mam St Glen Williams 2531 Worship 9 m St The Martyr Anglican Church 537 Main SI Glen Williams DATES TO REMEMBER ADVENT SERVICES December 22nd Holy on 10 HolyEucha stBCP 7 Festival of Lights lessons Carols St Johns United Church 11 Guelph St Georgetown DECEMBER 24th SERVICES IMMANUEL LUTHERAN III CHURCH Circle St Sunday School a Worship Service 1 1 a Rev Fritz Schmltt Pastor 8730264 NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH WHERE APOSTLES AM HEINE TODAY Sunday School 9 a SERVICES 10 am 5 00 Wednesdays HALTON HILLS CONGREGATION 150 Man St South Acton Rector Rot 8534627 NON DENOMINATIONAL PENTECOSTAL ALL PEOPLES CHURCH DELIVERANCE CENTRE A net gate Bramalen SW Corne 7 Bible Study Worship Deliverance Sunday 10 30 am 7 00 Wednesday p m We Provide Church Nursery English toltallan Translation Pastor George A LeRoy 7922176 HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Maple Avenue Ha on Georgetown 416873 SACRAMENT OF Dec 14 1D0OAM 1200Mtoti PH TtiuntUy Dk Saturday It 1000AM lIOONoon 130PU Monday CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE DM IS 10 A I New at Man in tin iniMg m Dm hi DtwtM ft HEW YEARS SCHEDULE Ok JW01IOOA 1000AM Hi ftmt rtlfm lum tad