Advent: A Time of Waiting… and Tweeting

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

UNITED KINGDOM (ANS) -- Every day during Advent, Fresh Expressions -- an evangelistic outreach of the Church of England -- is sharing Twitter reflections on the coming of Christ and the meaning of Christmas.

Fresh Expressions was initiated in 2005 by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York but now involves the Methodist Council, the United Reformed Church and a number of other partners.

The movement has resulted in hundreds of new Christian communities being formed alongside more traditional churches.

Those who have contributed seasonal tweets include The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu; Lorraine Dixon, Anglican priest and DJ; Andy Frost, director of Share International; Ian Bell, co-ordinator of the Methodist Church’s VentureFX Pioneering Ministries scheme; Mark Russell, chief executive officer of Church Army; Russ Bravo, editor of Inspire magazine; and Juliet Kilpin of the Urban Expression mission agency.

One of the tweets describes the incarnation as ‘a package put together to solve the debt crisis.'

To find out who went on to say, ‘He lived among us, loved us, was rejected. The deal never left the table,’ follow the Advent conversations now @freshexpression on Twitter or viawww.freshexpressions.org.uk/advent.  

For more information, contact: Karen Carter, Media Officer, Fresh Expressions +44 (0)7545 928724karen.carter@freshexpressions.org.uk;  www.freshexpressions.org.uk

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** Michael Ireland is the Senior International Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior International Reporter

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** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

New booklet on the true meaning of Christmas could generate more Bible reading

International (MNN) ― Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Charlie Brown's famous line is echoed during the Christmas season by many who searching for something more.

In the West amid toys, sales, lists, and food, it's easy to forget the real reason to celebrate. A lot of people may know that Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus, but they might not make all the connections in Scripture.

And yet Biblica's CEO Doug Lockhart agrees that Christmas is a season where people may be more inclined to make spiritual connections.

"We think about people who might be far from the church or have a long background in the church that may or may not be close to God," explains Lockhart. "But sometimes a time like this during the holidays is a time when they'll re-evaluate."

And Biblica wants to be there for it.

To make the most of this season for searching hearts, Biblica has created a new resource. "The Coming" is a short booklet that is an excerpt of key Scripture passages, as well as some really engaging explanation of what it all means."

Illustrated in color and told through the narrative of Luke, the prophesy of Isaiah, and the imagery of Revelation, The Comingwalks the reader through what it meant for Jesus to be expected king and how he defied those expectations.

The Coming is presented in a story form without chapters and verses, making it easy to read and understand.

Biblica hopes that as people read the booklets and distribute them, it'll be more than just a new Christmas tradition. "This is a tool that we're hopeful will be placed in someone's hands which might reengage them in God's Word."

As people around you seek out the true meaning of Christmas and life as a whole this season, be ready to share with them the entirety of the Good News of the newborn King. It could be the start of a new life in Christ.

The Coming is only $0.60 when bought in bulk, and only $0.75 bought individually. Get your copies here.