This week Olivia lit our fourth Advent candle symbolizing the love of Jesus which we should proclaim to all. Robin Perry devised and led our service of carols and readings with Jonathan Baddeley at the piano. Robin began with a video: “I hear the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” Members of our congregation read the familiar Bible passages concerning the birth of Jesus and we sang the related carols ending with John 1 – the Word of Life. “Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all.”
Robin led prayers for our conflicted world and its victims calling on the Holy Spirit to guide world leaders, for comfort for those mourning loved ones this Christmas giving time for private prayer for those currently on our minds. We shared the Lord’s Prayer and then Robin commented on the way Christmas today has become centred on acquiring stuff. The greatest story ever told is being submerged in a frenzy of indulgence. It behoves us to tell that story loud and clear ensuring that the true meaning of Christmas is not lost. We concluded by singing O Holy Night and sharing the Grace together.