I think I’m all carolled out! I’ve done three carol services today. Allhallowgate was lovely this morning, there were 20 of us at Sawley this afternoon and Grewelthorpe was full tonight - and it being an Anglican building a large glass of alcoholic mulled wine was handed to me at the end of my day. Here’s an extract from my carol service sermon this year…
There are a lot of songs in the Christmas story. Lots of angel songs.
Out on the hills above Bethlehem there were the night-time caretakers – shepherds – everyday people going about their normal business, and then totally unexpected, come the angels. And the eyes of those ordinary shepherds are lifted up. Lifted up to something totally beyond themselves. The glory of the Lord shone around them. Immense light which was both beautiful and overwhelming.
And as so often with angels, come the words ‘Do not be afraid’ – and then a proclamation of good news. It is a message not of separation or of punishment, but a message that the God of the universe has chosen to draw close – to come and be with all people – people of all ages, of all backgrounds, of all cultures and experiences; people in mess and pain, and people in joy and comfort. Good news of great joy for all people.
Isn’t that worth singing about?
G. K. Chesterton wrote over a century ago, "The world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder." Here’s how it is. TheHoly Spirit means to break in on you with the surprise of Christmas. The words may be the same every year but to really hear the words and join in the song is life changing.
I read this week an interview with Noddy Holder’s wife. Noddy Holder of course of the band Slade whose song Merry Christmas everybody comes out every year. He apparently early on Christmas morning turns to her in bed and yells in her ear every year “it’s Christmas!”
The Methodist theme for this year from our President and Vice President is our story, our song. They are asking what our story is and what song are we singing. Is it one of despair or of hope. Our call is to sing a new song. As the Irish quote says “ hope is a song sung when everything else says you should stop singing.”
The Christmas song is good news of great joy for all people.
The Christmas song is he has lifted the lowly from their estate.
The Christmas song is in the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high has broken upon us.
The story may be the same every year. But its message is as fresh and exciting and vital as it ever was. So we need to keep singing it and listening for it. Let’s be Christmas people. O sing to the Lord a new song for he has done marvellous things.
I’m sure I’m not done with carols yet but I think I have none tomorrow which is good news. I love them but you can have too much of a good thing can’t you?
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