The famous knitted Bible, made by members of St George’s United Reformed Church, Hartlepool, has travelled all over the country since it first came to North Shields in 2014, before returning for a 4-day stay at St Columba’s for the Christmas Market weekend.

The display features 34 scenes from Bible stories from creation to the post-resurrection breakfast on the beach.  Each character and object is lovingly and individually crafted – even the little fish in the net.  The full story of the knitted Bible is told by St George’s themselves at http://www.stgeorgesurc.co.uk/the-knitted-bible/.  Many visitors to the church this weekend have enjoyed seeing the exhibition, which included a treasure hunt and pictures to colour in for children.

In our morning service on Sunday 11 December, we were reminded that Advent is a time of preparation in three different ways – for the celebration of Christ’s birth, for the future coming of Christ’s kingdom, and for Christ’s leading in our daily lives.  Angela, who led our service, recited John Betjeman’s poem Advent 1955 entirely from memory, to illustrate her theme.  We were encouraged to use well the timing of waiting.  In our prayers, we hung presents on the small tree to represent our thanks for God’s blessings.