Signs of the Times
The quarterly newsletter
for Modern Church
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Email this pageChristmas: Ancient Meanings, Modern Faith
by Adrian Alker
from Signs of the Times, No. 43 - Oct 2011
This is the third book in the series of Together in Hope resources for group study,
sponsored by Modern Church alongside our other partners. The title is indicative of how the author,
Adrian Alker, who was Vicar of St Marks Broomhill Sheffield for twenty years, wishes us to see
the Christmas stories. In this short study book, the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke
are critically examined to reveal a depth of theological significance for a modern faith.
Whilst we all carry a certain amount of baggage when it comes to Christmas and our liking or disliking of the Festival, Adrian suggests themes and approaches stemming from the birth narratives which can be of help to individual Christians and church communities. As with the other books in the series, there are questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each short chapter and some useful ideas about how a modern church might imaginatively celebrate Christmas.
Adrian, a Modern Church member, writes: "My purpose in writing this short study book is to try and summarise the theological importance of the birth narratives and ask how they can be of help to us and to the churches in our spiritual journeying".