Very appropriately, on the weekend of 30/31 January, Rev McKee revealed his love of bird watching. 

From the pulpit he showed us his favourite hat - dressed in badges to represent all the birds that he has seen.

Before continuing his Children's Address he tossed the hat down for Dylan and Scott to catch, and the boys were able to take it with them to Sunday School in the church hall.

Rev McKee described how it's best to view and count birds from the house, behind glass,because we are so big we frighten the little birds. If you want to get close, without overpowering the birds you'd need to be a little bird yourself!

He went on to talk about how God is so much bigger and more powerful than us, and that is why he sent His son - to be like us - to get close to us - and for Him to tell us about God.

​Rev McKee began his ministry in charge by introducing a Star, left over in the house from Christmas.

"The 12 days of Christmas have come and gone.
Everything has been put away....or has it?"

He addressed the children with the story of the journey of the Wise Men. Long journeys, he said, require planning for stopovers, food and safety but these men - no doubt despite their friends thinking they were mad - knew there was something special and were determined.

And so they journeyed on until they found the baby Jesus, and presented Him with presents.

Rev McKee told the children, "When you put the star decoration away at the end of Christmas, it's not actually the end - it's the start of God's plan for us and what He wants us to do in life.
 
For his main sermon, the Rev McKee turned again to the theme of the traditional Christmas Story, this time to the narrative of the shepherds.

We see Christmas themed ideas for up to four months - from as far back as September. When the decorations are finally put away in January, after four months of upheaval, expertise and hard work, maybe we should be thankful that it's all over!

Maybe we've a few Christmas morsels to finish off, a few presents and some warm holiday memories.

"Is that it?" he challenged.

The shepherds went back to work glorifying God for all they had heard and seen. After all the excitement the shepherds too had to go back to normal in the fields and their routine....
but with something new, they were different; they had encountered Christ, the Lord.

Rev McKee went on to challenge the congregation,
"What about us? What began in a manger at Bethlehem can last the whole year through.
"Nothing can ever be the same.
"Let this Jesus be in our hearts."