Welcome to the Website of St James Norton

A  Christmas message from Rev Ben Shires

 One of the joys of the Christmas season is the chance to hear and sing Christmas Carols. One of my favourites is Charles Wesley’s ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’. 

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

 Over several verses Charles Wesley unfolds why Christmas is such a time of joy for Christians – and why it has inspired so many great hymns. His launching pad is the angels appearing to the shepherds on the hillside outside Bethlehem. The angels announce “good news that will cause great joy” – “a Saviour  has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). In a world where we’re so used to bad news this is an astonishing bit of good news! God has come to earth as a human (“veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th'incarnate Deity”) in order to bring salvation (“…born that man no more may die!”) – friendship with the God who made us (“God and sinners reconciled!”). No wonder the angels break out in a song of praise to God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven” (Luke 2:14) and why Charles Wesley’s hymn is so triumphant. This is the ultimate Christmas gift, and it’s offered to all of us today! We’d love for you to join us to sing these magnificent carols over this Christmas period and to hear more of this Christmas story – but whether I see you or not, I wish you and those you love a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

 Revd Ben Shires  - 07424374606  - revbshires@gmail.com

For full details of our Christmas Services please click this Link

 You’ll find information here about our beautiful ancient church and our active Christian community. Situated next to Graves Park, we serve the community of Norton, Batemoor and Jordanthorpe. We would love you to join us!

Sunday Morning Services - 10:30am

Morning Prayer Tuesdays and Thursdays - 9:00am

Please see the Services tab at the top of the page for further information.

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