|PIC1|Angels have been making a come back in an attempt to get the Christmas message going again. Luke Walton, the Arts officer for Bible Society, was inspired as he walked through Swindon Town's shopping centre. He says,

What I found is a shopping centre that acts as a wind tunnel, a fact somehow accentuated by Bedouin-like tent structures hanging over various open areas.

It was shortly after Christmas last year. He had been inspired by the Angels cards produced by Christian Enquiry Agency, which invite people to explore faith through the links to angels in the Bible. Steve Hollinghurst, of the Church Army and Yvonne Richmond, responsible for developing evangelism at Coventry Cathedral also helped Luke in his quest. They were working with the Group for Evangelisation to develop this and other spiritual links for The Spirit of Life Fair which was held at Coventry Cathedral on 1st May. Luke was struck by how Christmas decorations lack a connection for people with the story of Christmas. He saw town centre decorations as in some ways an altar to an unknown God; in other places the 'unknown' was replaced by an altar to 'Winterval' & 'Happy holidays'.

In Swindon, however, he noticed how the wind gave a sense of movement (something lacking from Christmas lights). There was also a sense of urgency in those moving down the street that day as Luke walked on and so he could easily imagine angels passing through, intent on delivering their message to all who would listen, 'do not be afraid, I have good news'.

So when an invitation to participate with art at Christmas came from Swindon Town Centre Management to Bible Society, Luke was off, looking for a way to host the angels in Swindon for Christmas 2006.

The first challenge was to discover a design which would be traditional enough to say to ordinary shoppers, 'angels' but would also be intriguing enough to move their imaginations away from Victorian cherubs! Luke's solution was to call on Carl Robertshaw, renowned international kite related designer (think Balrog in Lord of the Rings on Broadway) and twice world champion kite flier. Between them they came up with a six winged angel kite that would appear to fly in the Christmas night sky in Swindon (in fact given enough wind they will fly away!). They are ethereal, beautiful and evocative.

The next challenge was to persuade Swindon Town Council that using angels was acceptable in a multicultural environment. They can't afford to offend anyone (apart perhaps from committed Christians!). Luke approached leaders of other faiths. When the perceived risk of causing offence to other religious groups was presented to the Swindon interfaith group, their response was unanimously supportive of Luke's idea.

Armed with this assurance, he then set about persuading companies and other groups to back this venture with money. This was tough but in the end the results were well worth it. Through sponsorship and partnership with local shops - the Rainbow bookshop for instance and firms - the New Swindon Company, the Christmas angels idea started to fly. One of Swindon's main shopping centres - The Brunel - actually sponsored an entire 'host of angels' to form a part of their Christmas decorations.

But it didn't stop there. A partnership between the Early Learning Centre and the Great Western Hospital was struck. Patients from the paediatric education unit decorated two angels, one for the town centre and one to hang at the hospital in the wonderful 5 storey high atrium at the entrance. This work was extended by match funding from Swindon Cultural partnership to allow for the installation of a further flight of angels leaving the hospital and on into the town centre.

Soon Swindon was beginning to welcome the angels. One of the schools joined in - the Red Oaks Primary school. They became a central attraction at the actual lights switch on ceremony in the town centre. They brought their giant 4 metre angel onto the stage for the occasion.

This was not the only encouragement Luke received. He was delighted that one of the key features was the overwhelming support from the Christian community who sponsored a number of the angels, drawing folk from all over the town.

In the end, even the 'Old Town', a community that has usually organised its own separate decorations, joined in and provided financial sponsorship as they saw the possibilities for increasing unity and pride in the innovative and creative resources of this great industrial town.

So, this year the 'switch on' was very special with all kinds of extra angel themed additions, including a reception for all the sponsor. Here one of the attractions was the performance poet, Curtis Tappenden, who had written a piece to be delivered specially that night. Swindon Cultural Partnership described the whole show as 'a good foundation to build on' and the Brunel Shopping Centre was inspired to launch its own search for the 'Swindon's Community Angel', the person who had done most to enhance Swindon either through exceptional bravery or by caring for others.

For Luke Walton, this was an attempt to explore the 'altar to the unknown god' in Swindon's shopping centre as Paul had done in the market place in Athens (It has even been suggested that the cities should be twinned as intellectual capitals!). How did it work out? Here are Luke's reflections,

There was some sneering at an overt Christian messaging to accompany the angels, It was also clear that many lacked the language to talk about faith and belief in the public square, whilst others were deeply disappointed that simple Christmas decorations should seem to have any element of controversy attached to them at all.

But, it isn't all over yet! Like the message of God's peace on the first Christmas night, the story goes on. Many local papers and broadcasters picked up the story and many pictures were available on their websites. The angel design artist, Carl Robertshaw, is keen to look at other moving decorations and to work with Bible Society on developing a Christian iconography for a new generation. But even when the angels over Swindon Town eventually come down to earth, their journey will continue. Some of them are going on tour and other cities are already asking about the possibility of them turning up in their centres next Christmas.

To find out more visit the website www.flightwiththeangels.co.uk

David Spriggs

|PIC2|David Spriggs has been a Local Baptist Minister for 20 years; Previously headed up the Evangelism Department of the Evangelical Alliance; Now working for Bible Society in various roles relating to the place of the Bible in the mission of the church in England and Wales, currently Bible and Church Consultant; Author of several books, and many articles mainly on church leadership and growth, prayer and spirituality, the Bible; Writes regularly for a number of daily Bible reading notes publishers, including, BRF, CWR, IBRA, SU and Living Light.

For more information about the Bible Society please click www.biblesociety.org.uk