Light upon the mountains

There's a light upon the mountains,
and the day is at the spring,
When our eyes shall see the beauty
and the glory of the king;
Weary was our heart with waiting,
and the night watch seemed so long,
But his triumph day is breaking,
and we hail it with a song.
Henry Burton (1840-1930)




The waiting is almost over. In a few hours it will be Christmas Day. At midnight on this Christmas Eve many Christians will welcome the Christ Child at Midnight services. And tomorrow it will be Christmas Day.

For a few more hours the watching and waiting continue. But now weariness is replaced by a sense of expectation. Soon we will welcome God in our midst. Our hearts sing. Hope is reborn.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

They said there'll be snow at Christmas

They said there'll be peace on earth.

But instead it just kept on raining:

A veil of tears for the virgin birth.

Here in the South of England hopes of a White Christmas are always something of a dream. Since 1960 there have been just ten snowy Christmas Days. Autumn 2019 has brought persistent rain that has left much of Britain waterlogged. Flooding is causing difficulties in some areas. Roads and rail services are affected at one of the busiest times of the year. As what the media describe as 'the great Christmas getaway' begins anxiety levels rise for those with plans to be away from home this year.

As we move towards Christmas Day the words of Greg Lake's 1975 Christmas song seem somehow prophetic. Christmas is too often not as we hope it might be. White Christmases aside, the hope of peace on earth too often seems unrealistic. In local communities, nationally and internationally, conflict and tension are a sad fact of life. Can we do other than weep as we wait for Christmas Day?

We are drawing near to the end of Advent. Christian churches will soon be telling once again the story of the coming of the Christ Child. Immanuel, God with us, has come to reawaken in each of us a hope that transcends human dreams. A hope that transforms a world waiting for the dream of peace on earth to become a reality. A hope not just for Christmas and Christians but a hope that could just change everything.

O come, O come Immanuel

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

(Advent Antiphon for December 18)

During the final week of advent many Christian traditions use a series of seven prayers known as the Advent Antiphons. Verses of the nineteenth century advent hymn O come, O come, Immanuel bring these together in a musical setting still used in many churches.

Used as prayers through the final week of advent these short prayers express the hope of redemption and deliverance from the darkness of exile. Most are based on Old Testament passages that remind God's people of their history. The God who has been faithful in the past can surely be relied upon to fulfil promises in the future. As the Christian community moves towards Christmas Day it does so in the sure and certain knowledge that this is no vain hope.

O come, O come, Immanuel.

Hark! The herald angels sing

Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born king.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled.
Charles Wesley (1707-88)


Angels are around every corner at Christmas. No nativity play is complete without several. In our homes and shopping centres they are to be found atop Christmas trees. On the cards we send to friends and family artistic representations of these elusive beings remain popular. Gabriel and the heavenly choir feature in carols and songs. It just wouldn't be Christmas without them. 

Christian tradition tells of angels appearing to both Mary and Joseph before the birth of Jesus. Shepherds on the hills near Bethlehem were startled by a massed choir of angels soon after the event. As heavenly beings the angels in the Christmas story acted as intermediaries between God and humanity. Those who encountered them were initially disturbed but ultimately encouraged by the message delivered.

Christmas angels speak of good news and invite humanity to be part of the new work that is about to begin. Centuries later their words are repeated and the invitation to be part of the story is extended afresh to each new generation.

Expect the unexpected

For many of us, travelling is very much a part of Christmas. Many journeys are made by road, rail, coach or bus to visit relatives or friends. Already the roads are busy as people make their way to town centres or out of town stores to buy presents, decorations and food. With just two weeks until Christmas Day time to prepare for the perfect Christmas is running out.

The story of the first Christmas as told by Luke begins with an unexpected journey forced upon a pregnant woman and her husband. A government edict meant that Mary and Joseph would have to travel to Bethlehem to be registered in a census. The couple travelled light, hoping this unwelcome trip would be a short one and that they would make it home before the baby put in an appearance. Things didn't quite work out. The small town was heaving. Hotel space was at a premium. There was no time to prepare...no clothes for the baby...nothing was as it should have been. God's promised messiah arrived with little ceremony and slept in a hay filled manger.

That same night, shepherds on the hills near Bethlehem were startled by bright light and an angelic choir. They made their way down to the town to see the new baby. Coming in from the east a group of astrologers travelled towards Jerusalem by the light of an unusual star. They were looking for a king and were eventually directed to Bethlehem where they found a tiny child. A child that would bring light for the whole world and hope for generations to come.

As we prepare to celebrate this Christmas may we be surprised and delighted as we find ourselves in the presence of the Christ child who comes to bring light and life to this world.

Come and sing the Christmas story

Come and sing the Christmas story
This holy night!
Christ is born: the hope of glory
Dawns on our sight. 

Michael Perry (1942-1996)

Christmas carols old and new have dominated this week. With seven services and a community carol singing event coming up in the next three weeks there has been a lot of music to prepare. Advent is a busy time in our churches.

Every carol has a story to tell about the time and place of its writer. Traditional carols remain popular and everyone has their own special favourites. Over the course of time these have been joined by songs written by contemporary composers. Some stand the test of time, others prove less enduring. Times change and carols change with them, it would seem.

What makes a good carol? There are musical, lyrical and theological answers to that question and opinion varies. As both a minister and a musician it seems to me the best carols are those where words and music come together in a way that enables the Christian community to 'sing the Christmas story'. Tastes may change but the story of that holy night is timeless.

The Song of Simeon

Christmas preparations are well underway. Cards have been purchased or made. By the end of the week those going to family and friends living at a distance will have been posted. It is good to keep in touch, even if it is only once a year. In the writing of the cards memories are stirred. The Ghosts of Christmas Past are never far away at this time of year.

This coming Sunday afternoon our church is hosting a bereavement service. We will sing carols and offer prayers for all who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Towards the end of the service we will light candles to remember our loved ones, giving thanks for the light they brought into our lives. As we approach the Christmas celebrations it is good to reflect together and seek God's light for our darkness.

Sunday's special service includes a reading from Luke 2. The passage contains the Nunc Dimittis, also known as the Song of Simeon. Noticing the infant Jesus who has been brought to the Temple by his parents, Simeon knows he has seen God's promised Messiah. His prayer of thanks begins with the words Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled. Simeon's prayers have not gone unheard.

Each Christmas we celebrate as Simeon did centuries ago. Even in the darkest times, our prayers do not go unheard. Jesus, the Light of the World, comes to us once again.

From darkness into light

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Today is both Advent Sunday and the first day of  December. In church we lit the first Advent candle. At home the first pocket of our Advent calendar contained chocolate coins. We are counting down to Christmas.

For Christians Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. In the dark days of December the candles we light week by week remind us that Jesus came to bring light to the world. In a world oppressed by fear we proclaim hope. In troubling times we pray for the coming of the Prince of Peace. In the face of darkness and despair we find joy as once again we await the arrival of the Christ Child.