Still before Christmas 2020 – Online Retreat
“Still before Christmas” can seem like a contradiction in terms. Most years we can find ourselves approaching this central Christian festival like an express train, and be so over-exposed to the biblical stories in countless carol services, nativity plays or Victorian carols that they somehow lose their edge.
In December 2020 we took the opportunity to stop for a few days before the rush and be sharpened by the stillness and the scriptures and experience again the wonder of the truth they contain – God is with us – giving time to notice.
Share the experience with us by following the pattern of worship, reflection and prayer we used in the retreat – the links to each day’s material are below.
Day One (When the time had fully come) is here.
Day Two (There is no normal) is here.
Day Three (There were shepherds …) is here.
Day Four (We saw his star and have come to worship him) is here.
Day Five (May it be to me as you have said) is here.
Ven. David Newman
David Newman, our retreat leader, has been Warden of Launde Abbey for over three years, and enjoys the opportunity to lead retreats, courses and Quiet Days. After thirty years in parish ministry and seven years as archdeacon of Loughborough he brings extensive parish and pastoral experience to the role. His book “Growing Up into the Children of God” was published last year.