abbotsford.org.uk

Ice Candle

The light within melts away the cold out with, a promise of turning from winter towards new life, a melting away of the snow and frost, of barriers and borders, a promise of renewal, or return, of resurrection.

Solstice

Happy solstice. Here's a wee bit from our liturgy where we asked people to light candles and take that light into the four corners of the church and push back the darkness.

This is the night of Solstice, the longest night of the year. Now darkness triumphs; and yet, gives way and changes into light. The breath of nature is suspended: all wait while the Empire of Night is brought down by the Infant Light. We watch for the coming of birth, when a Mother again gives birth to the what is more powerful than all the darkness, a new life make of light, one who is bringer of hope and the promise of light. We are awake in the night. We make ritual to bring in the light. We call the child from the womb of darkness.

We have four symbols gathered which we wish to move out to the four corners, symbols of promise, that call on the light;  symbols that we move in faith, trusting that as we move into the darkness, we take the light. The action brings the light.

As these are described they are moved to one of the corners:

Seeds: symbol of new birth, the hope to come of feasting and plenty once more

Swaddling bands: symbol of new birth, and one birth perhaps in particular

Ice candle: symbol of the melting away of the winter and warmth once more

Bible: Prophetic Words: symbol of the long hope, the gathering over time of the light and the promise and hope of its coming, now.

Simply, as and if you feel comfortable, take a candle or candles from the bowl in the centre and move into the darkness and place the light by any or each symbol: and take the light into the darkness: pull the world away from darkness by going there and bringing on the dawn once more.

Then we played the totally fabulous Sarah McLachlan's The First Noel/Mary Mary

Solstice

Tomorrow night is the winter solstice. Here's a wee something for that (e have a solstice service which should be interesting).

Sorrow not, the world is wrapped in sleep no longer
Sorrow not, the darkness has length no more
Sorrow not, the light is slowly creeping back
Sorrow not, birth is soon and very soon

Rejoice now, night will soon folded away
Rejoice now, the shadows will turn and shorten
Rejoice now, the time of dark is over
Rejoice now, light is coming into the world

Be now, light within the world
Be now, the curse that has closed the darkness
Be now, the release of life as light returns tomorrow
Be now, the birth place of the child of light

Nativity Sunday

It's been quite a big weekend. Lots of things going on especially our nativity service this morning and the carol service tonight. Both were great. Nativity was fabulous and carols tonight were mixed with story, laughter and quizes and stuff. You'll get some of the liturgy (su ghas it was) in Mucky Paws. Most of it has been published earlier on this blog. But here are some photos of our lanterns (you really had to be there to see them lit and glowing in the dark) and the acryllic square hanging that people have been taking part in over the last few weeks. And ther are a couple of sheep from our nativity play which was all based on cases people carried. These two sheep were once cases. It worked well.

I wish for you

I wish for you the light
that was born in you
when God first spoke
your name

I wish for you the word
that echoed in heaven
when she heard of God’s plans
for you

I wish for you the time
to grow into what God imagined in you
in the first moment
of your creation

I wish for you the hope
that keeps you travelling
across whatever horizons
shape your life

I wish for you the promise
of incarnation
of birth and hope
and word and journey

I wish for you the advent
of life always coming true
through God’s own word
born in you today

Such scribblings as this and others can all be received once a month in Mucky Paws, a collection of bits and pieces from our worship each month. To receive Mucky Paws (which is free) just email and ask to be added to the list.

Hark the Herald iPads Sing

This proves why iPads/iPods and anything else with an 'i' in front of it was made in heaven.

 

And here's the article that's goes with it:

 

Advent IV

the frost crackles
as I cross the lawn
finding a midnight space
in a midnight sky
clear of clouds
and moonbows
to watch
the Geminid meteor
blanch the atmosphere
with strips of light
and mark the season
in this traditional way
for light always was the first
to call us to the way
starlight from beyond
brought us then
as it does now
to the moment
of new beginnings
where history turns
on the sound of a child
and all creation
caked in hoar-frost
and waiting halleluiahs
bows silently once more
as light curves overhead
and leads towards
birth

Blue Christmas Service

There was a very wonderful moment that just caught me, tonight during our Blue Christmas Service after we had lit our candles. They were scattered across a few low tables, burning away. The music was playing (the stunningly fantastic Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong) and we turned out the overhead light. The only light was that of the candles, our memories...

'Let the light that comes from the memories of these loved ones guide us, and show us, there is nothing that separates us. It is one continuum. We are all in the great link. It is just we are at different places along it'

And so we were able to remember and made the right space for those we need to know are part of our Christmas even though they are gone from it physically.

Chocolate Teapots (19th December 2010)

Matthew 1:18-25

There you go. It is as matter of fact as that: Joseph has  a dream, marries Mary, and when the baby is born, names him Jesus. And that's about it.

No snash, no big story, no nativity plays, not even a stable, an innkeeper or a donkey. God get's born and everyone just gets on with it.

It's easier to believe if there is a big song and dance about birth, something miraculous going on that sets the story apart and makes it into 'divine'. That's what ought to happen with God. But not this straightforward, mundane, run of the mill story. This is the austerity version of the nativity only this is the original: Mary get's pregnant, Joseph marries her, baby born: Jesus. Sorted. Not so easy to believe when it parallels anyone, any birth, any time. God is one of us: any one of us if Matthews economic retelling of the story is anything to go by. Nothing sets it apart , not in today's version of the world anyway. It's a birth story without the frills, the 'so what' version. God is one of us. Now get on with it.

What does it do to how we believe to think of it in such stark terms. God is around and is as normal as any of us. No blue halo of light surrounding the child, no unblinking blue eyes, no dazzling smile. Just one of us. So bog standard and normal it makes the stable legend a little bit too romantic and the reality of God's incarnation frighteningly stark. The big decision this time is which one shall we opt for?

LIght Festival Blessing

We had our light festival tonight. Feedback always welcome along with ideas for next time. But I think it went well. Good atmposphere; the lanterns were fabulous; the light pool worked; people were busy or lazy as they saw fit; the light corridor was fabulous and hopefully we'll get some photos for the website. Good cake and food and stories. Here's the blessing at the shortest festival in hiostory, just one and a half hours long but packed with goodness...

I wish you could see
the light that lives in you
that shines from your eyes
and glows in your smile

I wish I could show you
when you are tired or afraid
the amazing light
of your own being

I wish others to know
about the light you release
that scatters all shadows
when you are around

I wish you the universe
born of light
to be your guardian
child of stardust

May the light gifted to you
shine into this world
for it holds the story
of the prince of light

I wish you the journey of light
that scatters all your fears
that moves you from story to Word
born in us, among us, for us