War CryTHE

FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND SOULSsalvationarmy.org.uk/warcry Est 1879 No 7096

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TOY WORLD22 December 2012

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TO THE

LEGO MASTER BUILDS A BIBLEwrites CLAIRE BRINE

BRENDAN POWELL SMITH is a builder with a difference. His job is to make Bible stories. And he uses Lego bricks to do it. Many of his completed projects are published on the Brick Testament website and in a series of Brick Bible books.

This year, the creator has released The Christmas Story, a book which – through Lego storytelling – presents the nativity story for kids.

So far, Brendan has illustrated more than 400 stories

Turn to page 3

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it like this

Brendan Powell Smith is a fan of Lego

football and I’ve got com-panionship. It’s a collective passion.’

She also said that she saw it as her vocation to ‘make it possible for people to cook more easily’ in a country where cooking knowledge in the home had been disrupted by the Industrial Revolution and two world wars.

During the event – part of the series presented by Professor Linda Woodhead of Lancaster University and former MP Charles Clarke – Alastair Campbell described himself as a ‘pro-faith atheist’.

He said: ‘I think life is about believing and then doing things with your beliefs. I have done that through poli-tics and writing. And I have huge respect for people who have [religious] faith. I’ve close friends and family who have a strong faith, and I like what it does for them.’

Victorian picture – of Jesus with children of all different nationalities around him. She said to me: “Jesus looks after children”, and she taught me how to say the “Our Father”.

‘So there I was in bed, in broad daylight, not being able to sleep, and I thought about the picture more and more. It just happened that every night when I went to bed, there was this time of stillness and reflection.’

Delia went on to say that reflection was an important part of being human and, by exercising it, a person can get in touch with their real self and with God.

Asked how she understood her faith in a world where

there was tyranny and acts of terror, she replied: ‘We are making mistakes, people are getting the wrong end of the stick, but it is a process of evolution. It will end with individual human beings unit-ed with God. We are evolving towards love. At the moment, we are not very near it.

‘What you say in football is: “We are a work in progress.”’

Questioned about football, Delia, who is a director of Norwich City Football Club, spoke of the problem of greed

at the top level of the game but also about the sport’s positive effects.

‘Football gives you an experience of community,’ she said. ‘Human beings are at their very best when they’re in community.

‘I belong to the church community, and I can find that community in Germany, Holland, France or Dubai.

‘Football is perhaps equal to that, because if I travel round the world, all I have to do is find someone who likes

2The War Cry 22 December 2012

‘PRO-FAITH ATHEIST’ QUIZZES COOKERY WRITER ON RELIGION

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YOUR prayers are requested for Maxine and her daughters, who, after a road collision, are facing their first Christmas without their beloved husband and dad.

The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the names of individuals and details of their circumstances. Send your requests to PRAYERLINK, The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, Lon don SE1 6BN. Mark your envelope ‘Confidential’.

AWARD-WINNER GOES DOWN THE STRAND

COMMENT p6

LIFESTYLE p7

PUZZLES p12

INNER LIFE p13

FOOD FOR THOUGHT p14

WHAT’S COOKING? p15INSID

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p8

News

DELIA SMITH spoke about the key ingredients of her Christian faith when she was interviewed by Alastair Campbell at the lat-est in a series of Westminster Faith Interviews in Central London.

The cookery writer and TV presenter told the former journalist and press sec-retary to Tony Blair that she believed human beings were evolving towards God.

She recounted how she had discovered Christian faith through times of reflection as a young child.

‘When I was about five years old, my parents didn’t have any religion or go to church,’ she said. ‘My mother used to put me to bed too early. I know it was too early, because I could hear all the kids playing outside. When she put me to bed, she gave me a picture – an old-fashioned

THE War Cry has two copies of The Christmas Story: The Brick Bible (see picture, opposite page) to give

away to readers who can answer the following question:

Who created The Brick Bible?

Send your answer on a postcard to Brick Bible

with DeliaAlastair Campbell does God

Competition, The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN or email your answer to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk with the subject line ‘Brick Bible Competition’. Include your name and address in your entry.

Entries must be received by Monday 7 January. The senders of the first two randomly selected correct entries will receive a copy of the book. The Editor’s decision is final.

Win a ‘Brick Bible’ book!

22 December 2012 The War Cry3

Pic credit

from the Bible. He tells The War Cry how he got started.

‘College was where I first read the Bible from cover to cover, and I came to it with great curi-osity and an open mind,’ he says. ‘I was continually surprised by its portrayal of God.

‘Time and again I would pause in my reading and think to myself: “Wow, does any-one actually read this book?” I decided it would be a good thing if the bulk of its content was better known.

‘A few years after college, I got back into building with Lego. After some initial building projects, such as an eight-foot skyscraper, I decided to try the challenge of building some famous scenes from the Bible.’

Brendan started with the sto-ries from the Bible’s first book, Genesis. In 2001, he put his illus-trations online and launched the Brick Testament website. It got a lot of attention from the press and the public.

Years later, Brendan is still passionate about creating Bible stories from Lego.

‘I am convicted that the Bible

is the most influential book in Western civilisation, and yet pre-cious few people actually bother to read it. The purpose of my work is to give people a better knowledge of the Bible in a fun way. I also want to encourage them to think about its teachings.’

Creating a Bible story from hundreds of miniature bricks takes a long time. Brendan starts each project by producing a script. He uses real Bible quotes to tell the stories.

‘Once I have figured out the words I’ll be using for each illustration, I start con-structing the characters,’ he says. ‘I often use a combi-nation of parts from various Lego sets. Moses, for example, wears some Jedi robes from a Star Wars set and Dumbledore’s long, grey beard is from a Harry Potter set.

‘Next I build the sets, scenery and props. What follows is hours of meticulous positioning and repositioning of the characters and the camera to get each shot just right.’

Brendan is used to receiv-

ing fan mail because of his work. Church ministers occasion-ally contact him, describing how they use his creations when they are teaching. Others appreci-ate the simplicity of his artwork. Some turn to The Brick Bible to get to know the Bible better because, as Brendan says, ‘they would have never picked it up otherwise’.

In future, Brendan hopes to continue using Lego to create even more books of the Bible, such as Psalms and Proverbs.

‘It is a wonderful challenge using these plastic figures with limited articulation and a lim-ited set of expressions to act out such stories of drama and human emotion,’ he says. ‘When done right, I think the results can be quite poignant.’

From page 1

The Bible is the most influential book

Three of Brendan’s books and (left) a New Testament excerpt from ‘The Brick Bible’

The Brick Bible

4

– but where does it

Interview

Author SIMON PARKE tells Claire Brine about a new version of ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’

Lifejourney

is a

lead?

encouragement from a friend, Simon wrote Pippa’s Progress. He describes his novel as ‘the same idea as Bunyan’s but a different book’. He hopes that people will be able to identify with the character of Pippa.

‘She is like all of us,’ he says. ‘She has got a sense of adventure and a sense of self-destruction. She is occasionally stubborn and occasionally courageous. Sometimes she listens to the world around her and sometimes she closes her ears.

‘Some people reading the book may find that they love one character and hate another simply because of what is going on in their own lives and how the characters resonate with them. But my hope is that all different people will be able to access the story. Whatever a person’s faith, this is a book for truth-seekers.’

Right at the start of the story, Will Good says to Pippa: ‘The way to Heaven is never a problem ... When you set out on the journey, the way finds you.’ Simon believes that.

‘If a person is looking for a way or for truth in life, I believe they will find it. I believe that creation helps us in our search for truth – for example, by bringing along a particular person to influence us at a particular time. I am a great believer that the truth finds us.

‘As a Christian, I believe God is truth. But for some people, the word “God” has a lot of baggage attached to it. If a person seeks truth and finds it in God, they may discover that God is different from what they thought he would be.’

As well as throwing up questions about God and truth, Simon’s book prompts its readers to consider Heaven. What is it? Where is it?

‘I believe what the character Happy says, when he points out that Heaven is “where we are standing”. For me, Heaven exists in the present.’

Writing about Pippa’s journey with its ups and downs led Simon to consider his own journey through life. He pon-ders his whereabouts.

‘Towards the end of the book, Pippa reaches the Cloud of Unknowing – a place where there is no path,’ he explains. ‘One character describes it as the place where you can walk “by the power and insight of your heart”. It’s a happy place to be in life because there are no desired outcomes and that is OK. Not knowing what is coming next can be amazingly peaceful. I think that’s where I am.’

WHAT might John Bunyan’s 17th-

century novel The Pilgrim’s Progress look like if it were to be written today? Author Simon Parke set off on a journey to find out. The result is the book Pippa’s Progress: A Pilgrim’s Journey to Heaven.

‘Pippa is a modern-day woman whose life is in a rut,’ says Simon, who works as a therapist and lives in London. ‘She meets a character called Will Good, who tells her it is time to move. At first, she thinks he is a bit pushy, but then she realises he is right. She feels as though she is going through life without really living it, so she sets off on a journey to Heaven.’

On the way, Pippa meets a collec-tion of characters. Some help her on her journey (such as Grace) and some hold her back (such as Chill Out and Dee Straction). Pippa’s travels lead her to some strange places, including the City of Social Meja and Headspin’s Hallucinatory Mental Circus.

‘The terrain of the 1600s, when John Bunyan was writing, is so different from the landscape of the 21st century,’ says Simon. ‘But peo-ple are the same in that they are still look-ing for that “someth ing

better”. They are looking for a heaven, whether they have in mind the Christian understanding of Heaven or not.’

Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is frequently described as a ‘Christian

classic’. The text has never been out of print and has been translat-ed into more than 200 languages. So why did Simon feel the need

to update an already successful story?

‘I read Bunyan’s version when I was younger and

found it really heavy going,’ he says. ‘It was enormously

influential in its time, but I don’t think that it is having the

same impact on people today. The world has moved on, but the story

remains such a good idea that I thought I would retell it in

a fresh way.’ After a little

22 December 2012 The War Cry 5

Bunyan was writing, is so different from the landscape of the e21st century,’ says s ssssSimon. ‘But peo-ple are the samein that theyare still look-ing for that “someth ing

better”. They are looking for a heaven, whether they have in mind the Christian understanding of Heaven or not.’

Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress isfrequently described as a ‘Christian

classic’. The text has never beenout of print and has been translat-ed into more than 200 languages. So why did Simon feel the need

to update an already successfulstory?

‘I read Bunyan’s version when I was younger and

found it really heavy going,’ he says. ‘It was enormously

influential in its time, but I don’t think that it is having the

same impact on people today. Theworld has moved on, but the story

remains such a good idea that I thought I would retell it in

a fresh way.’After a little

Pippa’s Progress is published by Darton, Longman and Todd

Pippa is like us, with a sense of adventure and a sense of self-destruction

AUTHOR: Simon Parke updated John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’

CLA

IRE

BR

INE

THE nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House are facing a busy festive season on BBC One’s Call the Midwife – Christmas Special on Christmas Day (7.30 pm).

When an abandoned baby is discovered on the steps of the convent, the community rallies round to help, while midwife Chummy

(Miranda Hart) produces a children’s nativity play.

The programme is based on the memoirs

of author Jennifer Worth, who worked as a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950s.

A GROUP of Salvation Army brass players and singers recorded a song which is being used in a campaign to give away free Mr Kipling’s Christmas cakes over the

festive period.The musicians’ recording

of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ – complete with the extra verse: ‘Now bring us some Kipling’s slices’ – will be played when shoppers receive a Mr Kipling’s cake from special dispensers situated at bus stops and other locations across the UK.

The company will make a donation to the work of The Salvation Army.

The War Cry 22 December 20126

A NATIONAL census was the reason why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. As Christmas approaches, figures from the 2011 England and Wales Census published last week reflect today’s faith landscape.

The Office for National Statistics notes: ‘The question (‘What is your religion?’) asks about religious affiliation, that is how we connect or identify with a religion, irrespective of actual practice or belief.’

Of the 93 per cent of respondents who answered the voluntary question, more than half (59 per cent) described themselves as ‘Christian’. This equates to some 33 million people.

Since 2001, the number of reported non-believers in England and Wales has doubled, with more than 25 per cent of the population saying they did not have a faith.

Commenting on the findings, Richard Dawkins, the atheist writer, said: ‘Christianity is on the way out in this country.’

This is a questionable conclusion. The veracity and vibrancy of Christianity do not depend on numbers. Christianity does not become more or less true – Jesus does not become more or less divine – according to the number of believers.

Christianity is about having a more-than-nominal affiliation to the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus. It is about having a personal relationship with the Christ-child who went on to be the crucified and risen saviour of humankind. That relationship informs a believer’s life, defines who they are and determines how they’ll spend time and eternity.

Last December, churches and cathedrals were packed for their carol services. They are likely to be so again this year. Like many civic venues across the UK, throughout December London’s Albert Hall is booked solid for carol concerts and renditions of Messiah. Over the next few days, millions of people will tune in to TV and radio programmes that retell the Christmas story.

The reports of Christianity’s death are greatly exaggerated. To all who would write it off, The War Cry says: Read the story and allow God to speak.

Christmas presence

CommentMedia

BB

C/N

eal Street

CORONATION Street stars William Roache (who plays Ken

Barlow), Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster, pictured) and Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan) read the nativity story at St James’s Church in Didsbury on ITV1’s Christmas Carols on ITV on Christmas Eve (10.15 pm).

The programme is presented by Aled Jones, who is also joined by tenor Russell Watson and British Army singing trio, the Soldiers.

Nuns and nurses prepare for nativity

Exceedingly good Christmas carol-singing

ITV

722 December 2012 The War Cry

SUPPORTER: Dame Helen Mirren is backing the Spread the Warmth campaign

Lifestyle

THE season of goodwill is upon us, but Age UK estimates that 3.5 mil-lion people aged 65 and over don’t get help or have company from their neighbours in everyday life. As well as loneliness, winter weather can bring an increase in health prob-lems for older people, such as heart attacks, strokes, respiratory prob-lems, pneumonia and depression.

The charity recruited Dame Helen Mirren to launch its Spread the Warmth winter campaign. ‘It’s shocking that so many older people die needlessly in the winter months,’ said the Oscar-winning actress.

According to research carried out for Age UK, more than 700,000 (7 per cent) of older people don’t know their neighbours. One of the reasons why older people don’t get to know those who live near-by is that they don’t want to appear a burden. A simi-lar number report that they ‘always’ or ‘often’ feel lonely, and half of all older people consider television

THIS time of year should be a time for making merry, but research shows that the daily rate of thefts jumps 13 per cent in December. So now is the best time to take precautions.

One in three homeowners does not have the correct contents insurance, and nearly four in ten of those who do, fail to ensure it covers items such as Christmas gifts.

For some peace of mind, follow these tips:

Fit security locks to all doors and windows. Install timer switches, so lights and radios come on after dark. Don’t leave Christmas trees or gifts in full view in the window. Fit sensor lights near any doors or patio windows. Never leave spare keys under mats or in flowerpots. Ensure that contents policies are up to date and provide enough cover.

their main form of company. During the campaign, Age UK

and its partners are working to keep older people warm and well by giving out hot, nutritious meals, providing social activities and offering information and advice. The charity is also urging the Government to boost the energy effi-ciency of older people’s homes.

Age UK spokesperson Michelle Mitchell says: ‘For many older

people, winter can cause misery, avoid-able illness and even death. We’re hoping to inspire everyone to do their bit to lessen the harsh impact that winter can have on older people. There is something simple that everyone can do, whether it’s popping in to check on an older neighbour or mak-ing time for elderly relatives. Small acts and a friendly face make all the differ-ence.’

Security is the key

Age U

K

teacup of

Popping in is older people’s

8

From theWhat’s going on

Winner of the 2012 Pride of London Award NEIL DOWDEN speaks with Renée Davis about the homeless feeding project for which he was honoured and how it is affecting lives at Christmas and all year round

EVERY second Sunday of the month at 7 am, homeless people form a queue on the Strand, outside Charing Cross

station in London, to get their full English break-fast. Bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans and all the trimmings are on the menu. They arrive from all over London. For many of them, it is the only hot meal they’ll have in the month. Even if they don’t say grace before they eat, they are grateful to one man – Neil Dowden.

Neil explains how the project started: ‘Years ago, a friend of mine told me about a woman who went to Charing Cross to help feed homeless people. She attended a sister church to the one I go to. She was serving sandwiches and tea. I went out for my first week, and I haven’t stopped since! When the woman stopped going out, my team and I expanded her idea and started doing a full English.’

The homeless feeding project has been running for about

church

22 December 2012 The War Cry 9

eight years and feeds up to 200 people each time. It sets up on the Strand in all weathers – even in snow.

Neil and his team of volunteers, drawn from his church – House of Bread in New Cross – and his family and friends, are dedicated to making sure his homeless friends get a hot meal, whatever the cost.

‘There is no real fund set up for the project. The money comes from my pocket,’ says Neil. ‘Over the past couple of years we’ve tried to do some fundraising but it’s not something we do regularly.

‘As long as I have the strength to keep contributing I will keep going. I like to know that what we are doing makes a difference. Having some of the people come up to us and say, “Thank you” and “This is the only hot meal I’ll have for the month” makes it all worthwhile.’

Two women who volunteer alongside Neil nominated him for a Pride of Britain Award for all his hard work. While at a friend’s birthday party, a camera crew and presenter from ITV’s London Tonight gatecrashed the celebrations to tell Neil about his nomination. He was lost for words.

Neil was chosen as the winner of the Pride of London Local Hero Award. On the judging panel was former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, who said: ‘It’s the simple idea of cook-ing breakfast to change people’s lives that I really love.’

Double Paralypmic gold medallist Natasha Baker added: ‘It’s incredible that Neil’s been able to touch so many people’s hearts.’

Neil explains how it felt to be nominated. ‘I thought I was just going to a birthday

party, so I was shocked to hear of my nomi-nation because I don’t do this for recog-nition. I think it is part of my duty as a Christian to help people. So I just do it as God allows me.’

Neil and his wife attended the Pride of Britain Awards ceremony. Although he didn’t win, he won’t forget the event.

‘I keep saying to my wife it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To be in the same room as the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister was awesome. I felt very hum-bled.’

Neil became a Christian

People come up to us and say ‘This is the only hot meal I’ll have for the month

Turn to page 10

RENÉE DAVIS

to the street

Left: volunteers serve breakfast on the Strand

Right: Neil Dowden

when he was 30 years old and has been involved with church community work ever since. He believes being hands-on is the best way to express his faith.

‘Being on the Strand every month to feed people shows them they can depend on us and that we are serving a depend-able God,’ he says. ‘God allows us to be there, and that is better than taking the Bible and telling them that God is good. Feeding people is a more practical way to show God.’

By building relationships with many of his homeless breakfasters, Neil has also got to know why they are on the streets.

‘There are various reasons,’ he says. ‘A lot of homeless-ness is due to divorce, though some of it is a result of alcohol dependence or drug addiction.’

For homeless people, Christmas can be a particular-ly lonely time. Earlier this month, Neil and his team put on a Christmas party at their church – an event that has

been running for ten years.‘The reason behind the Christmas dinner is simple,’ says

Neil. ‘We want to let the homeless people know that they are not forgotten, so we give them a special treat once a year.’

This year, the day began with Neil and some of the volunteers making trips to the Strand to collect those who wanted to spend the day at the church. About 87 people attended the meal.

After breakfast, the guests had the opportunity to have a shower and a change of clothes, which Neil and the team provided. The guests then relaxed or joined the main worship service in the adjoining hall. The senior pastor of House of Bread welcomed the guests and said a prayer before lunch. Then,

10 What’s going on

We want to let them know they are not forgotten, so we give them a special treat each year

From page 9

Breakfast and lunch are served at the Christmas party

RENÉE DAVIS

while lunch was served, live music and entertain-ment began.

Neil sees this day as something the homeless guests can look forward to and which helps them feel good about themselves.

Once the meal is over, though, they have to return to the streets. Homelessness is a widespread issue which affects many. Neil and the team try to help in various ways. As well as serving breakfast on the street, they hand out clothes. And for those who find homes or accommodation, Neil sets up links to places where they can get furnishings. Neil hopes that one day he will be able to do even more.

‘My ultimate goal is to have a home-less rehabilitation centre where people can get themselves together before going back into society,’ he says. ‘Shelter and temporary accommodation is just a short-term fix. We need to help homeless people be integrated back into society. Until that happens, we are not really solving the problem.’

22 December 2012 The War Cry 11

I have been volunteering since 2004. I come from Hackney on the bus. To see

the smile on our guests’ faces is priceless. Having to get up early or being tired doesn’t matter. The greatest thing is

knowing that they are happy.

Nigel, volunteer

I’ve been homeless since my relationship broke down and I lost my job. I’ve been

coming to the Christmas party for two years now. I think it’s a great event, the food’s

lovely and the people are nice. They actually care about us. The meal has certainly filled a hole in my belly and the team have given me some clothes that I really needed, especially

at this cold time of year. The project has helped me in a big way.

Paul

This is the second time I’ve been to the Christmas party. After last year, I just had to come back. It’s brilliant here, because I

can get some peace and quiet, there’s a nice atmosphere, wonderful food, it’s organised and

the team really know what they’re doing. I’m very grateful. It’s nice to know someone cares. I’ve been homeless for more than 20 years now

and I haven’t experienced anything like this. This is top of the pops.

William

Paul finds the Christmas party a big help

Nigel enjoys his role

12The War Cry 22 December 2012 Puzzlebreak

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

Solution on page 15SUD

OK

U

HONEYCOMB

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS

ACROSS1. Towering (4)3. Container (3)5. Wealthy (4)7. Wonderful (9)9. Bottle

stopper (4)10. Silly person (4)11. Loose (5)14. Correct (5)15. Nimble (5)17. Fat (5)18. Automobile (5)19. Merits (5)20. Prototype (5)23. Noisy (4)25. Let it stand (4)27. Hateful (9)28. Stun (4)29. Fasten (3)30. Gleam (4)

QUICK CROSSWORDACROSS: 1 Tall. 3 Tub. 5 Rich. 7 Fantastic.

9 Cork. 10 Dope. 11 Slack. 14 Right. 15 Nippy. 17 Obese. 18 Motor. 19 Earns. 20 Model. 23 Loud. 25 Stet. 27 Loathsome. 28 Daze. 29 Tie. 30 Glow.

DOWN: 1 Talc. 2 Leak. 3 Total. 4 Basic. 5 Raid. 6 Hide. 7 Frightful. 8 Co-operate. 11 Storm. 12 Amend. 13 Kneel. 14 Ram. 16 Yes. 21 Octet. 22 Ensue. 23 Laud. 24 Doze. 25 Smug. 26 Thaw.

QUICK QUIZ1 Mr Rush. 2 None. 3 Grace Brothers.

4 Humerus. 5 Morris Garages. 6 PVC.HONEYCOMB

1 Laptop. 2 Minute. 3 Urgent. 4 Racing. 5 Fly-tip. 6 Popeye.

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these Christmas tree decorations

ANGELBAUBLESBEADSBOWSCHOCOLATESCRACKERS

DOWN1. Body powder (4)2. Drip (4)3. Sum (5)4. Fundamental (5)5. Invasion (4)6. Secrete (4)7. Shocking (9)8. Work together (9)11. Tempest (5)12. Rectify (5)13. Genuflect (5)14. Male sheep (3)16. Aye (3)21. Group of eight (5)22. Follow (5)23. Eulogise (4)24. Sleep lightly (4)25. Self-satisfied (4)26. Melt (4)

1. Portable computer

2. Extremely small

3. Requiring immediate action or attention

4. Moving swiftly

5. Illegally dump waste (3-3)

6. Cartoon character who eats spinach

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

WORDSEARCH

QUICK QUIZ

1. Which of the Mr Men characters is shaped as a purple triangle?

2. How many eyelids do snakes have?

3. What is the name of the store in the TV series Are You Being Served?

4. Which bone joins the shoulder to the elbow?

5. What do the car marque letters MG stand for?

6. What is polyvinyl chloride more commonly known as?

U S T H G I L L S R N R S O D R I B B O N F R A F I S A I E U A A F I Y T T E Y E N C K R G R R S G T S I B K I N C F I S G D A W L S E L B U A B A E U R T O N T A L F I R C O N E S A O S E T A L O C O H C B K C G B E A M E I T N R U B N F S N W U E S T O S E A O S D C N S A T N S L E B D W W T N S Y U T I A A T R K S S H N H N M A T L

FAIRYFIR CONESFRUITGARLANDLAMETTA

LIGHTSNUTSRIBBON

STARSWEETSTINSELTRINKETS

wings, about to turn my world upside down. What am I going to say? ‘If you’d like to sit down, I’ll make you a cup of tea’? I don’t think so.

Amazingly, when Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her about her future, her response is rational: ‘I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?’ (Luke 1:34 Good News Bible). She must have had nerves of steel.

Along with the rest of her nation, Mary had been waiting in the spiritual dark for a great light – the Messiah – to appear. Though his arrival was expected, for hundreds of years there had been no signal from the Almighty. Suddenly, an angel breaks into Mary’s world with a message from God.

If we could discard the traditional religious imagery of that moment, would that help us to understand it better?

This has to be the kind of moment when, to borrow a phrase from Franciscan author Angela of Foligno, ‘a divine word sounded in my soul’. It was something Mary experienced, and we, too, have to learn to recognise such moments in our own lives.

I don’t know if it is possible to prepare for an unforeseen visit of an angel. But I do know I want to be able to say to God, just as Mary did: ‘I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said’ (Luke 1:38 Contemporary English Version).

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BEING on holiday with two teenagers where there is no internet signal is a complete nightmare. Believe me! But never fear. Heaven, we’re told, has come a step closer with the new super-fast 4G technology, which can transform

Inner life 1322 December 2012 The War Cry

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WORDWEEK 4: THE BROADBAND OF ANGELS

In this Advent series, RON THOMLINSON takes a look at the nativity story in the light of today’s technology

WINDOWS

our internet surfing. If the publicity is to be believed, we will be able to upload and download anything, at any time, anywhere.

However, for strength of signal and coverage, modern technology can never compete with God’s service providers – the angels, messengers to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. I can cope perfectly well with the idea of Gabriel and his friends talking to them, but I’m not so sure I can deal with the idea of an angel interacting with me.

I see myself watching the 10 o’clock news with a mug of cocoa in one hand and the remote control in the other. Suddenly, between me and the telly is a bright, shining figure with two huge

Library picture posed by models

Suddenly, an angel breaks into Mary’s world with a message from God

wanted to show us what really matters. His coming brings peace, hope, grace and the opportunity of a fresh start.

When telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the angels said that it was good news because it would bring great joy, as well as ‘peace, goodwill toward men’ (Luke 2:10, 14 King James Bible).

The real Christmas is about far more than turkey and tinsel. And it lasts far longer than the month of December. The birth of Jesus – and his gifts of joy and peace – can be ours. Not just for Christmas, but for good.moments, perhaps we wish

Christmas were not on the calendar at all.

But we can’t cancel Jesus’ birthday. When God came into the world in the shape of his Son – Jesus Christ – he came for good.

Today, Jesus is alive in his followers. All over the globe, Jesus continues to be revered and worshipped. He continues

to change lives.Although Jesus was born

some 2,000 years ago, we continue to celebrate his

coming at Christmas-time. But shouldn’t we try to honour the spirit of Christmas all year round?

I’m not saying we should keep the tree up and decorated and make ourselves so busy that we become stressed. That’s not what Christmas is all about. Through his birth, Jesus

14The War Cry 22 December 2012

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Call 01933 445451or visit sps-shop.com

Food for thought

We can’t cancel Jesus’

IT is hardly surprising to hear someone say that they want to cancel Christmas. These days, the festive season seems to last for a long time. Some large stores have been decked out with Christmas gifts and cards since August.

As the big day approaches, people can start to feel burnt out, fed up with family and sick to death of long queues in shops. There are makeovers, leftovers and hangovers to be negotiated. In our more desperate

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People can start to feel burnt out and fed up

Find The War Cry on Facebook at /TheWarCryUK

Method:Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Grease

a 7cm-deep pork pie tin. Use a food processor to combine the bacon and

pork in a coarse mince. Place all the other filling ingredients in a bowl, then mix in the mince.

For the pastry, place the butter in a bowl containing the warm milk and water. Allow to melt. Mix in the salt, pepper and beaten egg.

Tip the flour into a bowl, then slowly pour in the milk mixture. Use your hands to form a firm dough. Put the dough in a clean bowl, then cover with clingfilm and leave in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Remove the dough from the fridge, then divide it into halves. Roll out 1 half and use to line the base and sides of the pork pie tin. Add the mince filling.

Roll out the remaining dough and use as a top for the pie. Glaze the pastry with the beaten egg, then bake for 35–45 minutes.

Make a hole in the top of the pie and fill with the gelatine. Leave the pie to cool completely before placing in the fridge. Serve chilled.

Serves 4

I’M Michael Darracott. I have been an executive chef in several large establishments in charge of cooking for 200-plus people. I have also written a number of books. It gives me great pleasure to offer my recipes in The War Cry.

I invite readers to send in recipe ideas, to be considered for publication here. I would also like to offer help with any cooking-related problems you have. So send in your question and, if it is selected, an answer will be published on this page.

Email your recipes and questions to chefmike56@chefmikedarracott.com

Ingredients:

For the filling

140g smoked bacon, chopped

300g pork shoulder, chopped

1tsp dried sage, chopped

1tsp dried rosemary, finely chopped

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp ground allspice

Salt and pepper, to taste

2tsp light soy sauce

5g dried or fresh cranberries

For the pastry

140g butter

40ml warm milk

40ml slightly warm water

Salt and pepper, to taste

430g plain flour

1 egg, beaten

1 small egg, beaten, for glazing

3 sheets gelatine, in a little hot water (see packet instructions)

1522 December 2012 The War CryWhat’s cooking?

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Cranberry pork pie

Ingredients:2tsp cinnamon2 drops of vanilla essence3tbsp brown sugar3tbsp caster sugar4tbsp water300g almonds, without skins

Caramelised cinnamon almonds

Method:Put the cinnamon, vanilla essence,

brown sugar, caster sugar and water into a microwaveable bowl and mix well. Add the almonds.

Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on full power for 3 minutes (600–750W). Reduce the timings for a more powerful microwave.

Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. The mixture should be a sticky liquid. Cook in the microwave for a further 2 minutes.

Place the almonds on a greased tray and leave them to dry out before serving. Alternatively, the almonds can be bagged up and stored for future consumption.

Serves 6

chefmikedarracott.com

Cook with chef MICHAEL DARRACOTT

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The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army. Printed by Wyndeham Grange, Southwick. © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2012

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with Christ’. ChurchAds.Net’s Francis Goodwin

tells The War Cry: ‘Every year, there is a toy that kids want. In the past it’s often been an Action Man figure or a Barbie-type doll.

‘We wanted to confront the ever-growing consumerism of Christmas. So we thought: “Why don’t we make a spoof doll that encapsulates what we think Jesus is about?” We called it Godbaby because it explains the humanity and divinity of Jesus in one word.’

The idea of the Godbaby ‘toy’ doesn’t please everyone. Some

argue that it is inappropriate. Some say it is brilliant. The message behind it, though, is the heart of the gospel.

Life can be tough – especially at Christmas. We want to know that someone cares and loves us. We want to know that there is some-body who would give themselves for our wellbeing. And Jesus, God’s flesh-and-blood divine Son, did just that.

He was born into a world that rejected him. Religious leaders denounced him. A friend betrayed

him. He was crucified for political convenience. But this didn’t stop him from lov-ing all people. He told his fol-lowers that he had come into the world to ‘give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matthew

20:28 New International Version).Jesus came to give us the chance

of eternal life. He died so our sins could be forgiven. God raised him to life to show that death couldn’t defeat him – and needn’t be the end for us.

Jesus came down to earth to show us he was with us – not above us. His love and forgiveness are the best gifts we could ask for. Here and now. Right where we are. And they’re not available in shops.

‘HE CRIES. He wees. He saves the world’ may sound like an advert for a must-have Christmas toy, but it is actually the tagline for a different kind of festive ad campaign.

Across the UK, posters from ChurchAds.Net are springing up on billboards and bus stops to remind passers-by that ‘Christmas starts

Advert brings a down-to-earth messagewrites RENÉE DAVIS

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