Result!

Today was the day, the culmination of months of prep, painting and practise. Over five hundred people came along and joined in the fun at Bethlehem Live making is a great success! There were oohs and ahhh's as the younger members of the cast did there bit. There were priceless moments like watching a tiny young girl caught up in the moment as the heavenly choir sang...she stood transfixed as here parents moved on, she was there watching "real" angels singing just for her. There were the laughs at bad puns and the odd outbreak of slightly stiff acting, woven about with a real spirit of Christmas fun, and sprinkled with flashes of brilliance. Personally I loved the rabbi who caught the moment and convinced us to suspend disbeleif for a as he made us learn how to chant the Jewish prayer, like so many pupils must have done before (and still do).

So many people came back and said how muched they had enjoyed it, and thanked people for their efforts, that it was plain that all the hard work had paid off. There were tears too, one lady came and shook my hand and said how much she'd liked it and how she had been praying for here friend fo so long, and how that friend had come along and heard the message of God's love for her. - A special day indeed. Thank you to everyone who took part, played a role, and to those who prayed, above all thank you Father for making it all possible!

Less than 24 hours to go!

It's almost here, by this time tomorrow Bethlehem Live will have come and almost gone! There's not much time to finish painting the final bits and pieces of scenery, tweaking that costume and learning those lines.

By 4:30pm tomorrow we'll know whether our venture has been a raging success or fallen short of expectations. People may come and love it, or they may expect too much and go away less than enthralled by our efforts. Whatever the outcome it's comforting to know that whatever people may make of our efforts to tell the Christmas story, the one guarantee that we do have is that God won't let down or disappoint anyone who chooses to put their trust in Him.

The news is full of grim financial stories, thousands of jobs being lost, companies failing and forecasts of more woe to come. It's not a great back drop to Christmas, as many are fearful of what the next 12 months holds in store. So, it's great to be part of a venture that offers hope, particularly in such tough economic times. Many people will be questioning how they are going to cope, and having to re-evaluate the values they held. "Safe as houses" no longer seems that safe in the midst of a global credit crunch. As we present Bethlehem Live tomorrow we will be holding out an invitation to the people of Bury, to place their trust in someone who won't ever fail them.

Let's pray that people hear and understand that the Christmas story is much more than a story. It contains within it the key to a successful life, a life securely built upon a Rock that will never let them down. Jesus came, lives, taught, suffered, died and rose again so that ordinary men and women would know peace that does not depend on finances. He came to give people abundant life. Let's pray that our message is hear loud and clear and that many have the happiest Christmas ever this year!

Just eight days to go

Bethlehem live is just over a week away! Isn't it funny how suddenly events that seemed miles away zoom up to you?

Before we know it Bethlehem live will have been and gone and will then begin fading slowly in our memories to be just one more event. I'm hopeful that for some people Saturday the 13th of December will become a day they will never forget. It's time to step up the intensity of our praying!

Please pray for:

• The pre-event publicity in Bury tomorrow. Please ask for: Mild weather and a good turnout, and a positive impact on the shoppers!
  

• The people that have been invited, or that come on spec, that they enjoy themselves.

• The actors, guides, and speakers, that their parts go well, and that what they say communicates effectively with the visitors.

• The weather! As although much of the event is indoor there are some outdoor elements, and as we all know people don't tend to linger when it's cold and wet!
  
  
• The setting up and taking down, that things come together well and that there is a good team spirit amidst all the hard work.
  
  Thank you - It's great to have you praying with us, it won't happen properly without you!