I was fascinated to watch the process of making a very attractive wooden lampshade. I’d imagine it’s a bit nerve-racking to start off with, before the wood is turned round; and probably when it gets thin at the end. But, I couldn’t help but think it’s quite a waste too.

This is a song by Casting Crowns. It’s quite sad in many ways, but doesn’t finish that way. They’re certainly not afraid to sing about what they believe in. It’s on their album, “Come To The Well”.

Here Casting Crowns lead singer & songwriter Mark Hall talks about new song, “Just Another Birthday”.

After organizing their bookshelf almost a year ago Sean Ohlenkamp and his decided to take it to the next level. They spent many sleepless nights moving, stacking, and animating books at Type bookstore in Toronto.

I was browsing Simon Tofield’s YouTube channel, and came across a few animations I hadn’t seen before. This one, especially, caught my attention, because I can remember how Fudge (our cat) was the first time he experienced snow — just like Simon’s Cat, it would seem.

In his annual address, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, focuses on the value of young people in our society. That’s something it’s all too easy to forget when we see so much negative publicity. But not all young people are like those we saw rioting last year. The vast majority are, if we’ll take time to understand them, great people to know.

This great little video has been made to go with Shakin’ Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone”. I think it was made by a guy called Steve Bengree — I came across it through Facebook. The 3d models give a real feel of what Godmanchester is like.

A happy and blessed Christmas to all.

Here is another Nativity sketch. In this one, Mr Bean recreates the nativity using toys in a shop at Christmas. It comes from Merry Christmas Mr Bean. Rowan Atkinson, as Mr Bean, is guaranteed to raise a smile on my face.

The video I originally linked to has been changed to ‘private’ — hopefully this new one will play for a while.

Here is a somewhat different telling of the Christmas Story. The Beatbox Nativity is a video written and produced by vicar and beatboxer Gavin Tyte (aka TyTe). The Nativity Factor competition, organised by ITN, was the incentive to re-record the Nativity Rap that Gavin released on YouTube on Christmas Eve last year.

This delightful parody written by Mark Bradford and directed by Darla Robinson tells the Christmas story in a new….and UNIQUE….way that will touch the hearts of generations to come. Enjoy!

I came across this really delightful rendition of the Christmas Story on YouTube. It was made by St Paul’s Arts & Media, a collective of individuals who have an interest in exploring arts and media and how it relates to contemporary expressions of spirituality. They are part of St Paul’s Church, Symonds Street, Auckland.

I thought I might add more of these during Advent.