Duncan Macleod on the Gold Coast

Colours of Christmas by Leigh Newton

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005

Here’s an article I’ve written for the front page of Jubilee School newsletter.

Have you ever noticed how much colour is associated with Christmas? Take a drive around Pacific Pines and you’ll see the incredible display of Christmas lights decorating home in almost every street. As we start thinking about giving gifts we have at the back of our minds the matter of wrapping paper - which most likely will be colourful.

Fascination for colour is wired into us from the start of our lives. I still remember the vivid colours of my childhood, experienced in birthday candles, balloons, crayons, pastels and paints. And I clearly recall the day we exchanged our black and white television for a colour television. At last we could really appreciate the change from Kansas to Oz in the Wizard of Oz movie!

Have you seen the advertisement for the Sony Bravia television screen with all the coloured balls? 250, 000 balls were released down a street in San Francisco for the ad. It’s the most searched for page on a web site I run called Duncan’s TV Adland. (www.duncans.tv) The ad finishes with the invitation to experience colour like no other.

Experiencing colour like no other is what the Christmas season is about. In this time of Advent, the time leading up to Christmas, we’re invited to attune our eyes to discover in Jesus his invitation to live life in all its fullness. To help us with that invitation, I’ll finish with the words of the song, Colours of Christmas by Australian songwriter, Leigh Newton. (http://www.leighnewton.com/).

Colours of Christmas Lyrics

Yellow is the straw that Jesus lies upon
Silver is the star above the town
Brown the shepherds feet they’ve left the dusty sheep
to feed upon the green where it’s found - o
to feed upon the green where it’s found

Blue is for his eyes to see the world tonight
Purple is for, he is our King
Black is for the night and white is shining bright -
from angels in the paddock where they sing - o
from angels in the paddock where they sing

Pink is for his skin, his soft and tender skin
Gold is brought by those who are game
Orange is the gown of wise men kneeling down
Red is for the reason he came - o
Red is for the reason he came

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Stable on the Strand in Townsville

Monday, September 12th, 2005

We saw an excellent presentation at Synod today on “Stable on the Strand”, a Christmas experience that has been developed over years by the Christian community in Townsville. The Stable Story is a dramatic, walk through interactive display depicting the historical culture surrounding the Christmas Story. It’s a family festival for children, teenagers and adults featuring face painting, bubble blowing, juggling, large scale games, puppets, beach games, free tea, coffee and Christmas cake. It’s also a concert featuring talented local performers from many different fields of entertainment joining together with a massed choir all celebrating the Christmas message.

Ann Harley, from Mt Louisa Uniting, is one of the key instigators. I’m mighty proud of what she’s done.

www.stableonthestrand.com.au/

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