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Lord of the Kings For the third year running, Christmas 2003 is going to see cinemas packed with people eager for the latest Lord of the Rings film. The movies have proved popular with fans of JRR Tolkien's original books as well as a new audience of filmgoers who wouldn't previously have known an Orc if one had ambushed them in the woods. Although much of Return of the King will focus on Frodo's quest to destroy the Ring, the title of the film doesn't refer to the small hairy-footed ring-bearer, but to one of the other main characters. When Aragorn was introduced in the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, he seemed to be little more than a tough, uncompromising woodsman; a mysterious warrior who protects Frodo and his friends in the early stages of their epic journey. What the Halflings don't realise is that they are in the care of a King in exile. For generations the humans of the Western lands have been waiting for the heir of Isildur to claim his throne, and Aragorn is the heir who becomes the King, returning to bring peace and healing and to unite his people. "But when Aragorn arose all that beheld him gazed in silence, for it seemed to them that he was revealed to them now for the first time. Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him. And then Faramir cried: 'Behold the King!'" (The Return of the King, by JRR Tolkien) When we first meet Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, he seems to be 'just' a Ranger - a woodsman and warrior from the North. But by the time Tolkien's epic tale has run its course, Aragorn is revealed as the long awaited King, bringing peace and healing, and uniting his people. Aragorn isn't the only King who wasn't recognised immediately. When Jesus was born he was honoured by wise men, shepherds and even angels. But then he lived a quiet, ordinary life for 30 years before carrying out the task that he was born for. The King of Kings was born as a human baby, and born for one reason only: To be Immanuel - God with us. To heal all the wrong in the world and make it possible for us to be united with each other and with God. "And soon the word had gone out from the House that the King was indeed come among them, and after war he brought healing; and the news ran through the City." (The Return of the King, by JRR Tolkien) "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:6-7 The Bible) Over the Christmas period at St Thomas', Brampton and St Peter's, Holymoorside, we will be celebrating the first coming of Jesus. We warmly invite you to join with us as we do so - you will be very welcome indeed! Published in the December 2003 edition of the Church Magazine
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