Search for anything here or browse our archive below
What would a meeting with the baby Jesus have been like? Owen Lynch looks at this from the viewpoint of Magi - the “wise men” who came with expectations set by prophecy, valuable gifts and a hazardous journey that brushed with powers who wanted nothing to come from Jesus’ life.
Could Jesus have held the power to change lives, and could this have been seen at the time we celebrate at Christmas?
Read MoreWhat difference does faith in Jesus make to our sense of freedom? David Jennings shares experiences of people who have found transformation when starting to believe and trust in God, and looks at how Jesus described what to expect. When we feel a sense of tiredness from heavy burdens as we try hard to do the right things, is this coming from what God wants from us, or could Jesus be looking to relieve, empower and refresh us?
Read MoreWhat is special about the new season we’re about to enter? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at the role that festivals play in people’s lives, providing inspiration - literally, breath in - to fuel our lives and day to day expressions of faith. They can show us God’s character and our purpose, as well as interrupting regular life to refresh and remind us that life ahead can be different, better than what we are used to. How can engaging with Advent in the approach to Christmas help you see life differently this year?
Read MoreWhat makes a great gift? Liz Nixon looks at the value of thoughtful, meaningful gifts and how they can build relationships when we grow love in return. The talk concludes with ten minutes of ‘examen’ prayer, which can also be practised with the Pray As You Go app at https://pray-as-you-go.org
Read MoreWhat does the story of Jesus' birth tell us about God? Owen Lynch looks at this and shares his own reasons for having faith in Jesus. Do we want the stories which define us to be God's stories about us, our value, and how much we are loved and filled with his love, joy and peace to share this year?
Read MoreWhat have people always wanted and needed from God? In this talk, Rebecca Kishtainy looks at how people have looked to God for hope throughout history and seen his intervention helping them through major challenges. Before Jesus, people might not have seen much past massive upheavals in their world but, looking back, we can see God working in a bigger timeframe and in bigger ways than anyone could imagine. Could that same God also provide the hope and help we need to see past the biggest challenges we face today?
Read MoreWhy does it matter that God entered our world in the person of Jesus? In our first Advent 2021 talk, Claire Lynch looks at how people were hoping for a wise king, full of wonder beyond understanding. We believe Jesus is that mind-blowing ruler, made even more remarkable to us by his approach to us through the vulnerability of childbirth and his sharing of our difficulties. Can we imagine God pursuing us, becoming us and modelling life to us? What difference would it make if we chose to follow this Jesus, a real, physical human in union with God, instead of just our idea of a perfect leader?
Read MoreCan God speak into your life? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at how dreams have been part of God's intervention which saved lives, around the time of Jesus' birth and in history before then. You might recognise some of the stories, like Joseph who had his amazing technicolour dreamcoat... Can we learn to recognise God's intervention in our dreams too?
Read MoreSome things make a big impression at Christmas. In this talk, Owen Lynch looks at how Jesus' birth was accompanied by an unmissable sign - a new star in the sky. It showed that an ancient promise of a new ruler was going to be fulfilled. Some were hostile to this, while others were disturbed, indifferent or passionately engaged. Which of these are closest to our reactions to Jesus today?
Read MoreHow amazing is Christmas? In this talk, Owen Lynch starts to look at the story of Jesus' birth with a remarkable detail - angels, a sign of heaven on earth. But what are angels? There is more to find out about them from the Bible and from the experiences of people at Severn Vineyard.
Read More
