St Oswald's Magazine StOM 1512 | Page 10

each other Christmas stories, of the God that came down to earth, to our level. We are looking for religious experiences which tell us that Heaven is open, that here on Earth Christ can be met, and if not God himself, then his messengers, the angels, those guardians of the Heavenly Gates, and they tell us: “Do not be afraid!” Theologians and preachers in the past placed more importance on life after death, we have come to the conclusion that very little is known to us about this. But there is a Life before Death, which can be lived, or missed. – You must not be surprised that the story of the Holy Birth of the God who ‘came down in the world’ is at the centre of our faith. And if we like to see the world with the eyes of children for a few weeks in the year, so be it. It might allow us to feel: God is with us! B Williams (Based on an article by Matthias Morgenroth, Andere Zeiten 3/08) Give a donation of protective footwear! M ore than 100 refugees, mainly families from camps bordering Syria, arrived in Glasgow on Tuesday 17 November 2015 during a typical west of Scotland downpour. St Oswald’s committed to provide suitable footwear for the refugees’ protection against our “winter storms”. Not everyone will be in a financial position to purchase wellington boots BUT DON’T DESPAIR. Please put your donation, large or small, in an envelope in the Sunday plate clearly marked “CHILDRENS WELLIES”. Rev. Lesley-ann and the Vestry will total the donations and purchase as many pairs of wellies as possible. Thanking you in advance. StOM Page 10