Hi all, just added new pages under the "Wisdom" buttons. Enjoy.

Harry

Scroll down below first to see what the Archbishop had said!

Comments

1. Harry Toye says:

December 16, 2011 at 10:31 am

Having read the article entitled “Have a Messy Christmas says the Archbishop of Canterbury” I am writing to correct the well-intentioned but error-filled article of the Archbishop.

The Archbishop’s observations are honest, logical, and appear to be obvious. His ‘chaos’ theory appears to be referencing the facts that either the actual Inn was full; or the time a busy time; people on the move; the tax season; the census, the town was busy; all Inns were full; or the location / conditions of the Holy birth, etc.

However there is no mystery or confusion surrounding the birth of Christ. A mystery is only a mystery to those whom it has not yet been revealed. So in the Spirit of Christmas, here’s an explanation as to why the Birth of Christ (and that’s what Christmas is really about) was the opposite of “chaos” and most certainly far from being “unplanned”.

Why was there no room at the INN?

The reason why there was no room at the Inn is, God did not want room at the Inn. God did not want His Holy Son born there amid drunkenness, sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idol worshipers, evil thoughts, etc. In short there was SIN in the INN and so it was not a fitting place for the birth of a Holy God. At that time, that was the stable! It would have been nothing for the creator of all things seen and unseen to provide the grandest palace adorned with Gold and Silver but it was not with gold and silver we were to be saved nor would the Lord condone mammon and greed.

The humble stable with the animals that bore no sin was the cleanest place for our Saviour to be born.

However had our Living God wanted, I don’t think there would have been any major problem on His part to provide a room at any inn of His choosing, at any time regardless of how many people were or were not coming for any census or event at that time.

It was God’s wisdom and predestination alone that His Son Jesus Christ be born on ground that was Holy and without sin in the camp. (No ‘chaos’, no ‘unplanned’ events)

We have an all powerful God where ALL things are possible and who knows ALL things past, present and future, and He had already made up His mind to have His Son born on ground made Holy by His Presence. God’s planning is ALWAYS perfect and He is a God of order not disorder.

Wishing the Archbishop and all your readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here is a report that appeared on the ENS news service. The Daily Telegraph article was also in numerous newspapers worldwide. Above is the Five Fold response which is also featured in online/offline publications.

Episcopal News Service

The news service of the Episcopal Church

Archbishop of Canterbury’s ‘Pause For Thought’ Christmas message

| December 15, 2011

[Lambeth Palace] The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken on BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought programme to reassure listeners that however imperfect or ‘messy’ their Christmasses may be, God will still be there for them.

The full text of the Archbishop’s message is below:

You know how every year you say, ‘This year I’m going to get Christmas sorted out. I’ll have the cards written by December the first and I’ll work our properly what we can afford and do the presents in time, and I’ll know exactly how many people are coming for meals and when, and…’all the rest of it. Lurking somewhere in our minds is the idea of the Perfect Christmas (probably with snow, only not the kind that closes down airports and messes up our travel plans).

And every year, mysteriously, all our plans seem to evaporate and it’s the usual mess, with all the last minute panic. There’ll be a good few people concerned just now about what they can afford for a start.

Yet it’s odd in a way, this business of Perfect Christmasses.

The story of the first Christmas is the story of a series of completely unplanned, messy events – a surprise pregnancy, an unexpected journey that’s got to be made, a complete muddle over the hotel accommodation when you get there…Not exactly a perfect holiday.

But it tells us something really vital. We try to plan all this stuff and stay in charge, and too often (especially with advertisers singing in our ears the whole time) we think that unless we can cook the perfect dinner, plan the perfect wedding, organise the perfect Christmas, we somehow don’t really count or we can’t hold our heads up.

But in the complete mess of the first Christmas, God says, ‘Don’t worry – I’m not going to wait until you’ve got everything sorted out perfectly before I get involved with you. I’m already there for you in the middle of it all, and if you just let yourself lean on me a bit instead of trying to make yourself and everything around you perfect by your own efforts, everyone will feel a little more of my love flowing’.

I’m never sure whether to wish anyone a peaceful Christmas, because it hardly ever is. But I can wish you joy in the midst of the mess, and every blessing from the God of ordinary, untidy, surprising things.

Here is a short story of a financial crisis, plummeting sales, widespread redundancies and rent increases but at the time when Jesus walked the dusty streets of Jerusalem. However, Solomon discovers the solution to all his problems.

Solomon Solves the Financial Crisis (by Harry)

Exotic aromas assaulted Yitzhak's senses before he heard the joyful sounds of harps, lyres and cymbals of Balthazar's Bazaar. Amid the tight mass of buildings and narrow passageways he marvelled at the gaily-coloured warren of stalls, a Shangri-la of fine silks and quality craftwork. But despite the pandemonium of the musicians there were no shoppers.

"What happened here?" "A holy day? A plague?

Inside the bakery he saw movement behind a large, camel skin suitcase. As Yitzhak moved closer, Solomon, a rotund man in a flowing Kaftan and red fez, straightened up from his hiding place.

"Shalom, my friend; I hide from the Muhtasib". "He seeks his taxes".

"I heard about the economic crisis" said Yitzhak.

"Business is ruined," said the merchant. He removed his shoes and beckoned Yitzhak in, offering him coffee, figs and mezze. Solomon revealed thousands of round, brown flat bread and hundreds of carved statues. "My Baal and Diana statues won't sell. I've lain off all my home workers and my rent has gone up since the money changers were evicted from the temple; they've opened up across the road. Space is at a premium.

The town is deserted. Jesus drew 15,000 away; fed them himself; banned worship of other Gods, healed the sick and raised the dead. The undertakers, physicians and professional wailers aren't happy either and the goldsmiths can't give the calves away".

Just then the High Priest passed. "Your usual bread?" asked Solomon.

"No I got my bread free" said the elegantly dressed official. "I'm cutting out the middle man".

Leaving, the priest yelled back, "I haven't seen you at the synagogue recently, Solomon"

"No" replied Solomon, "I'm dealing direct now, cutting out the middle-man".

"I'm off to meet Jesus".

"If you can't beat them, join them," he smiled.