One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Tim Lee, lay minister involved this year with the church services this Christmas at Buttsbury, Margaretting and Mountnessing, came to the studio to chat about what Christmas means to him. We coupled this with the news of the death at the age of 90 years of Desmund Tutu. We felt that Christmas is above all things a season of hope. God had not forgotten humanity, or washed his hands of us. Instead because of his love for everyone, he gave of himself through the birth of Jesus, whose teachings give us hope for better lives and consequently a better world. This was epitomised by Desmond Tutu and his stand against the injustice and evil of apartheid. We also spoke about the joy of Christmas, knowing the love of God. Desmond Tutu was a shinning example of living that joy. 
Ian Kemble from the Brentwood School’s Christian Worker Trust (BSCWT) reflected on Boxing Day. This was not as a day after Christmas was over. Rather as a day of continuing to live in the light of Christmas. More information about the trust can be found at www.bscwt.org
The playlist began with John Legend’s version of Stevie Wonder’s song What Christmas means to me. Apart from the competition, the playlist was entirely Christmas songs and carols sung by a wide variety of artists. These included Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss, Enya, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, the choir of St. Edmund and St. Mary Parish church in Ingatestone, Pentatonix, Diana Krall, Hillsong, and many more. We ended the show with a track by The Friends of Cedar Church, Love is the heart of Christmas.
When was this track the Christmas no 1?
For the competition today, on the half-hour we played three Christmas no 1s and asked you to guess the date. These were the nine number ones from the show.
1970. Dave Edmunds – I hear you knocking
2002 Girls Aloud – Sound of the underground
1992 Whitney Houston – I will always love you
1986 Jackie Wilson – Reet Petite
1967 Beatles – Hello Goodbye
2013 Sam Bailey – Skyscraper
2017 Ed Sheeran – Perfect
1962 Elvis Presley – Return to sender
1988 Cliff Richard – Mistletoe and wine
Tim Lee was in dazzling form. He gave correct answers for Dave Edmunds and the Beatles. He was also the closest or joint closest with every other answer. Chris in Harlow did not stand a chance!
Join me on New Year’s Eve between 1-3 pm.
