Advent Reflections | Day 22 | Sunday 24th December

Love Came Down at Christmas:

“Love was born at Christmas. Star and angels gave the sign”

Written by Calum Piper

I know we're nearly at Christmas and we're nearly into a new year, but I want you to cast your mind back to May, to that special day where King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Throughout the day it felt like every time he moved he was accompanied with a fanfare. Trumpets galore were surrounding Westminster Abbey as the king got out the carriage, there were trumpets as he entered Westminster Abbey, as he was presented, and then as the crown was placed on his head. As the King left the abbey there were then more trumpets. There was a really big statement being made. This is our king and this is him being crowned.

The story of Christmas is God reaching down to the world he made. It's a story where God says “I love humanity so much. I want to really engage in that relationship with them.” He knows the only way he could do it was to come and be present on earth himself.

God is born. As a human.

Mind blowing. The theology can be just completely baffling, but, the creator of the universe, the creator of the earth, becomes a human being.

If I was God, I would have probably done it a little bit like King Charles did his coronation day with all sorts of trumpet fanfares, with great spectacle, majesty, pomp and ceremony to make my point known; ‘Look, I'm God. I'm coming to Earth. Look at me’.

And yet God didn't do it like that.

God chose to come as an innocent baby child.

God chose to come to a woman who was betrothed to be married, but not yet married.

God chose to come as the son of a humble Carpenter.

Quietly in a stable. He chose to come in complete poverty despite the fact that he had existed in the riches of heaven.

There was no Roman army to welcome him. There were no Jewish ceremonies to welcome him, to say, ‘welcome. Aren't you amazing? God, the Messiah has finally arrived.’

The only fanfare for Jesus was a star to say ‘Look, he's here’. A star that needed someone really intelligent to understand it.

Then there were angels who appeared to people who were considered not acceptable to wider society.

God came to Earth and made his home in the stall in a stable. He was welcomed by shepherds and foreign wise men. In that moment, God shows us exactly what love is.

Love is not going round shouting about ourselves saying how great we are, but love is about that humble serving attitude. Saying ‘I love you so much. I will do anything I can to reach out to you and to tell you how amazing you are’.

God came at Christmas, as a child, to tell each and every person that was alive then, that is alive now, that has been alive in all that time between and all those people who are yet to be born, that they matter.

God came to each one of those people at Christmas to say you are loved, you have a purpose and you matter. He did that through the most powerful way, not coming and saying look at me, but coming and living as one of us and sharing all that we experience,

“God is love. And those who live in Love, live in God and God lives in them.” (1 John 4)

Love was born at Christmas through a baby child, who reaches out to you to say:

‘You matter! I love you! Let's do life together.’

Wherever you are this Christmas, however, you're celebrating. Know that the birth of Christ, which is at the heart of the story, is for you. And you matter. Wherever you are. However, you're celebrating from everyone here at St Michael's, Happy Christmas.

Advent Reflections | Day 21 | Saturday 23rd December

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear:

“O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing”

Written by Julie Sweeting

As Christmas day approaches everyone gets caught up in the hustle and bustle. School children are excited, Christmas nativity plays are planned together with end of school celebrations and teacher presents.

Families have the stress and excitement of planning get togethers, shopping for Christmas dinners, presents and juggling diaries to make sure they fit it all in around the normal workload. Not to mention the expense.

Tempers fray as tiredness sets in for everyone.

This hymn reminds us to stop. Have a rest. Look around and appreciate what you see. Remember what Christmas is all about. Take time to listen to the angels sing.

 At this special time of year God gave us his Son Jesus Christ to be the light of our world.

Make time to come to church and celebrate. Enjoy the carols and the fellowship. In years to come the presents will be forgotten but the experience of lighting a Christingle candle and taking part in a nativity service will remain.

Happy Christmas. 

Advent Reflections | Day 20 | Friday 22nd December

What Child is This?

“So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh. Come rich and poor to own him”

Written by Janet Ketteringham

This beautiful carol was written in 1865 and set to the tune of Greensleeves by Sir John Stainer and it is a lovely lyrical carol much loved by many people.

The carol takes us immediately to a very intimate moment between mother and child. The Baby Jesus is asleep, for which mum is probably truly grateful. Anyone looking after a babe knows that those periods of calm sleeping can be a welcome respite from feeding, cleaning and comforting a newborn.

The angels are singing sweetly and quietly, the shepherds keeping watch, shushing their dogs and shuffling in the doorway. People wonder why, if this baby is born of the Holy Spirit then what is he doing in this stable? There’s a pong of farm animals despite the clean hay in the makeshift crib; there’s a whiff of manure, even if Joseph and the shepherds have had a go at sweeping it up.

Nevertheless, there the Saviour of the world lies, peaceful, and a message is sent out by a star, by heavenly messengers – come and worship, bow down, bring what you can. Bring gold, bring frankincense, bring myrrh if you’re endowed with plenty. Bring a lamb, bring a casserole, bring cake if you’re not so well-off. But whoever you are, whatever job you have, position you hold or none, bring yourself and worship; bow down and acknowledge the Lord has come on earth.

This carol is asking us this simple thing: take the time, make the effort to be still and with all the angels in heaven, rejoice for the King of Kings is with us, here with us… us!f the overladen animal, the dust, the pot holes and the danger of falling in the darkness and of thieves and criminals hiding in the shadows. The moon and the stars being the only intermittent source of light.

Mary must have been comforted by the message from God brought to her by the Archangel Gabriel, that he had chosen her to be the Mother of His Son.

She was not travelling alone. Joseph her fiancé, was with her guiding them to Bethlehem and a much needed resting place.

The responsibility must have been overwhelming, so young, but her faith in God unshakeable

Don’t give up now Little Donkey .

Bethlehem’s in sight.

Journey’s end is near and the revelation of the Birth of God’s gift to a troubled World carried by the most humble and honoured member of the animal world.. A Donkey.

Advent Reflections | Day 19 | Thursday 21st December

Little Donkey:

“Been a long time, little donkey, through the Winter’s night. Don’t give up now, little donkey, Bethlehem’s in sight”

Written by Ann Howe

This Carol was written in 1959 and made famous by many artistes. It was the beginning of the heyday of “Pop “ music with “Mary’s Boy Child” joining the fashion to update traditional Carols.

The story of Mary travelling to Bethlehem heavily pregnant is a well known theme at Christmastime. Bethlehem is 90 miles away from Nazareth and would take four days travelling at 2.4 mph. It was winter, cold and dark. Tiredness and discomfort ever present.

One can visualise the swaying to and fro of the overladen animal, the dust, the pot holes and the danger of falling in the darkness and of thieves and criminals hiding in the shadows. The moon and the stars being the only intermittent source of light.

Mary must have been comforted by the message from God brought to her by the Archangel Gabriel, that he had chosen her to be the Mother of His Son.

She was not travelling alone. Joseph her fiancé, was with her guiding them to Bethlehem and a much needed resting place.

The responsibility must have been overwhelming, so young, but her faith in God unshakeable

Don’t give up now Little Donkey .

Bethlehem’s in sight.

Journey’s end is near and the revelation of the Birth of God’s gift to a troubled World carried by the most humble and honoured member of the animal world.. A Donkey.

Advent Reflections | Day 18 | Wednesday 20 December

Unto Us a Boy is Born:

“Now may Mary’s Son who came long ago to love us, lead us all with hearts of flame unto the joys above us”

Written by Jo Oughton

The carol “Unto us a Boy is Born” is based on a reading from

Isaiah 9:6 which we hear in the service of nine lessons and carols from Kings College. The reading foretells the coming of the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He speaks of the moment when God took human form and embodied all those titles. Emmanuel, which means “God with us”, is the title that we often used to speak of Jesus, especially at Christmas.

The line we are examining today is “now may Mary’s Son who came long ago to love us, lead us all with hearts of flame unto the joy above us.” It refers to Jesus’ birth in a stable in Bethlehem but also brings him up to date in our own lives. It speaks of the fire we can feel inside us when we are with Jesus. If we let a small spark from Jesus ignite us, we can have hearts that burn for him. We can carry his light into dark places and it can light our path to the Kingdom of God.

If the full extent of the Kingdom of God feels like what we experience when our hearts burn for Jesus, then the joys mentioned in the carol will indeed be beyond compare - the best gift we could ever receive. This Christmas, let us forget the worries about whether a gift is right or can be returned, and instead remember the real reason why we exchanged gifts during the season. It is to remember the gift that God gave us - sending his son to be Emmanuel, God with us.

Advent Reflections | Day 17 | Tuesday 19th December

The Angel Gabriel:

“Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, ‘To me be it as pleaseth God, she said’”

Written by Ann Walker

This is the first part of the story of Christmas. A story we know well, angels, shepherds, Kings, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus. This is like starting to read the first chapter of a book and realising we have read it before and know how it ends. Do we then skim read, maybe not paying quite as much attention to the details as we did before? This part of the story is only a few verses but contains so much about Mary.

The main characters in this chapter of the story are the Angel Gabriel and a young girl, Mary. Mary is betrothed to Joseph but not yet married. The Angel appears with a message from God telling her that she is to become pregnant with the Son of God to be named Jesus. We are not told what the angel looks like. Was it overpowering, was it frightening, was it full of light, was it n human form, was it just a voice? This is not a normal set of events. How must Mary have been feeling? How would we feel?

The answer that Mary gives to the Angel says so much about her. She was troubled and the angel tells her not to be afraid. She shows COURAGE and listens to the message. She questions the angel. She TRUSTS the Angel with the message. She has FAITH that this is a message from God. She shows HUMILITY as she bows her head. Mary shows her OBEDIENCE to God with her words “to me be it as pleaseth God”.

This may be only a small chapter in the amazing Christmas story but it shows why Mary was chosen to be the most blessed of women.

This is a story of courage, trust, obedience and faith. What a beginning to the story!

Advent Reflections | Day 16 | Monday 18th December

Silent Night:

“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright”

Written by Val Huxley

The words of silent night speak of calm and tranquillity. They are gentle and peaceful, describing a wonderful time, the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, into what must have been a chaotic time in Bethlehem.

The words just draw me into the spirituality of what was to come, a wonderful message of peace for all people.

The background of the Carol starts in 1818, at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Oberndorf in Austria. The young Catholic priest was in despair when he discovered that the organ can be played for the service on Christmas Eve because it had been damaged by mice. His name was Joseph Mohr, so he decided to contact Franz Gruber a schoolmaster and organist nearby, to see if it would be possible to compose music for a poem he had written some time ago. Franz agreed to compose the music for the poem and together they sang Silent Night for the first time at the Christmas Eve service with Franz Gruber playing his guitar and the church choir joining in on the last two lines of each verse. The music is gentle and inclusive welcoming everyone to celebrate the birth of Jesus in their own way.

During a break on Christmas Eve in World War One, hostilities were suspended and men from both sides sang silent night, it must have been a wonderfully moving experience of calm and tranquilly in what was, I imagine the hell of war

Some years ago with my husband and two friends, I was able to visit the Church of Saint Nicholas on a cold and snowy day a few days after Christmas.

Advent Reflections | Day 15 | Sunday 17th December

On Christmas Night all Christians Sing:

“All out of darkness we have light”

Written by Sam Bowden

When Christmas is coming our streets light up with the sparkle of Christmas lights on houses, some houses display so many that they drew you in wanting to get a little closer and admire them.

As a household of autistic people the start of advent brings with it many weeks of sensory overload from the lights.

For some people the sight of the lights can bring home unhappy memories, can trigger financial worry how are they going to afford gifts for there loved ones, festive treats and meals and reminder of the day they will be alone and have to see all there neighbours families gathered.

Advent season, Christmas can be one of darkness for so many.

Christmas eve 2019 a family we invited to a christingle service, they had a new baby and spent weeks in hospital with them, when we asked what will you be eating tomorrow they confessed what ever was left in the cupboard! they had no chance to shop with baby being so ill. So we invited them to spend Christmas day with us we would split the food we had to make it go round, to give them some joy and happiness  after weeks of uncertainty to fill them with love, with light.

John 8:12 Jesus said I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Knowing and Loving Jesus, who we carry with us in our hearts. We can cast out the light he gives us in our lives onto others onto our community. We can turn darkness into light with Jesus help.

This advent time what can you do to bring light to those who need it?

Advent Reflections | Day 14 | Saturday 16th December

O Holy Night:

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn  ”

Written by Brenda Knight

A thrill of Hope the weary Soul rejoices

You only have to listen or watch the News to “weary the soul” ~ climate change, war in Ukraine and Israel, cruelty to children, corruption and inefficiency from those in power~ so easy to become depressed, giving rise to feelings of despair. We can feel caught between anxiety for the present and a fear for the future. Perhaps giving a choice between putting it to the back of your mind and just cracking on with our lives and sinking further into despair.

At the beginning of Advent, where we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas and also look towards the Second Coming .It is then that I start to recall the music and carols of Christmas, one of my favourites is “O Holy Night” and so there is a particular line that encourages and aids the ability to “crack on”. That line emphasises the notion of Hope, indeed Hope is one of the three theological virtues, i.e. Faith, Hope and Love. Perhaps Hope may be said to comprise a belief that something you want to happen will Happen (Oxford Dictionary). The Hope that the coming of Chris at Christmas, demonstrates the love of God for us, enables that strength which is needed to cope with a changing world. The promise of the renewal of birth at the dying of the year.

So when we feel that love and promise demonstrated at Christmas it aids our capacity to deal with everything going on around us. The promise of Hope enables joy to come into the equation, Joy ~ the need to be joyful at this time , to feel the joy the Christ child has brought. Evoking the line that follows : “For yonder breaks a new and glorious light “

Advent Reflections | Day 13 | Friday 15th December

O Little Town of Bethlehem:`

“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given”

Written by Mike Holmes

So beautiful and sublime for the greatest gift of all time to be bestowed on a silent night amidst a hushed fizz of excited whispers and humble pilgrimages – befitting of the suffering servant of the Lord and in such contrast with the pomp and circumstance usually associated with the birth of future King.  Curious also that this is our prevailing impression of that first Christmas, when Bethlehem supposedly played host to mayhem - its inns brimming with the clamour of census registrants.  Perhaps that’s the point.  The nativity unfolds an oasis of peace in the midst of chaos; the Word made flesh - a light that shines in the darkness (chaos) which, despite Herod’s best efforts, could not overcome it.

So it goes with the nativity in our hearts, wherein God imparts “the blessings of his heaven” (same verse of this exquisite hymn).  This sacred gift is not imposed but offered so silently that too often “no ear may hear his coming”.  Yet if we humbly choose to attune our inner ear to the silent holy of holies within, we may become the “meek souls [that] will receive Him” so “the dear Christ enters in” (same verse). 

Of course, “in this world of sin” (same verse) our heart nativity is threatened by the cacophony of our own inner chaos - egos, addictions, worldly desires, etc.  Just like Herod, this darkness will constantly seek to extinguish the light of the Christ child born within us, because they crave power.  So we can but try our best to tend lovingly to this sacred gift, which like a mustard seed can, with all the faith and willpower we can muster, grow into the largest tree so that the birds (our entire consciousness) may come (in a never-ending pilgrimage) to perch in its branches.

Advent Reflections | Day 12 | Thursday 14th December

Away in a Manger:

“I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh”

Written by Jo Oughton

It's Christmas morning at Church, there is a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air as the children come to the front, dressed in their finest clothes, and holding onto their newly acquired toys from Santa. The Vicar asks them to sing ‘Away in a Manger’ and everyone holds their breath, leaning in to listen as the children's voices fill the room. For parents, this moment is very special as they watch their little ones take part in the Christmas celebration.

The line ‘I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my side until morning is nigh’ from the hymn expresses our love for Jesus and acknowledges the significance of his birth. The carol takes us on a journey back to the stable where we see God in human form, symbolizing the humility of the creator of the world.

 The birth of Jesus as a vulnerable child in an unassuming stable reminds us of how God humbled himself to save humanity. The advent season allows us to reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus, whilst awaiting the festival itself. This baby was born to overturn death and save the world, which is why this children's carol has become so well-loved. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and get swept up in the whirlwind of our luxury sparkly holiday season, let's remember the centre of the season is that tiny baby that came to a troubled world to save it.

Advent Reflections | Day 11 | Wednesday 13th December

Joy to the World:

“Let every heart prepare him room (And Heaven and nature sing)”

Written by Elizabeth Beveridge

There’s “Busy” and there’s “Too Busy”.

Busy is good.  Busy brings in money to support a family or to help those in need; it keeps the house clean or the garden tidy.  Busy looks out for friends and neighbours.  Busy helps us to sleep well at night.

Too Busy isn’t so good.  Too Busy forgets things, does things badly and makes mistakes.  Too Busy gets angry and frustrated; it has no time to stop and chat or to lend a hand.  Too Busy has us lying awake at night, worrying.  Too Busy runs out of time for God.  It will get to Christmas Day exhausted, physical preparations having shut out any spiritual ones, and will wonder where all the time has gone.

So how are we (how am I) to keep Too Busy at arm’s length?  My heart really wants to “Prepare Him room”, to be ready to meet Jesus anew.  This isn’t the hidden God that Moses knew, but the amazing miracle of God coming to share our human lives.

Maybe it’s a question of being more organised, more focused, of making a plan for each day and not getting distracted or diverted.  Some jobs can be left till another time, or done by someone else.  Sometimes it’s OK to say “No”.  In the plan there is space for God, that precious time when nothing else intrudes.

Ah yes, but I’ve tried this before.  How can I make it work?  There’s really only one way.  I know God wants this to happen, so I need to remember to rely on him.  With him I can handle Advent, so that by Christmas Day heaven and nature (and I) will indeed sing.

Advent Reflections | Day 10 | Tuesday 12th December

Hark the Herald:

“'Veiled in flesh the Godhead see”

Written by Peter Illingworth

Of all the lines, in all the carols, in all the world, this has to be my favourite!  For me it sums up what Christmas is all about: “Look and see God - hidden in human flesh”.

No one has ever seen God, but when Jesus was on the Earth, he made God known.  And what a surprise that was.  No great politician or military leader, liberating Israel from Roman occupation, just a vulnerable human.  At first, he was as vulnerable as we humans can ever be – a newborn baby.  Then, as he grew, he became a teacher who turned all our self-centred ideas on their heads.  “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.  And he continued to be vulnerable.  Vulnerable to pain, temptation, sadness and even death.

Because he was human and went through the same highs and lows that we do, he could empathise and understand what we’re going through – the good times and the bad.  And Jesus, as part of the Godhead, still understands today.

In human flesh, Jesus practised what he preached.  Anyone who tried to smear him ended up looking foolish.  He taught us how to pray, he taught us how to live a full and meaningful life and, because he overcame death, it means that life doesn’t have to stop when our vulnerable flesh expires.

Advent Reflections | Day 9 | Monday 11th December

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen:

“Remember Christ our saviour was born on Christmas Day to save us from Satan’s power when we were gone astray”

Written by Calum Piper

The tradition of singing carols or even winter songs started wherever local communities used to gather. Whilst nearly every community in England has a parish church, the pub was probably the first building in older communities. People used to gather in taverns and pubs to be community and on the long dark nights they would sing songs to cheer them up. That's where a lot of our Christmas carols have come from.

What I love about this line from the carol is amongst the frivolity, joy and celebration of singing carols and of being community together there is a reminder that its not about the presents. It is not about the frivolity and the things that sometimes maybe our world makes Christmas about. It's not about all the shopping, the gift giving and the novelty jumpers. Christmas isn’t about the overindulgence in food and wine and whatever else.

Christmas is about Jesus who comes to save us, who comes to offer us life afresh, who comes to offer us a relationship of love.

Christmas isn't far away now. We're halfway through our Advent journey and if you are already starting to feel like the decorations have been up too long and you're ready for it all to be over, remember, that's not what it's all about.

Remember the celebration of Christmas is about God reaching down to earth to say to each and every person: ‘You matter, I care about you and I want to do life with you.’

Know that there is nothing that can get in the way of God and the people he loves. Know that there is nothing that can get in the way of God reaching out to his world because he achieved that reaching out and that offering of love through Jesus coming as a baby.

So, amid all the festivity and amid all the decorations and parties and whatever else you get up to, remember that it's all about Christ our saviour. He was born on Christmas Day.

Advent Reflections | Day 8 | Sunday 10th December

Christians Awake:

“Christians awake! Salute the happy morn, whereon the Saviour of the world was born”

Written by Jill Fairhurst

Christians awake was first sung on Christmas morning in 1750 in the parish Church of Saint Mary's Stockport.

The words were written by John Byron for his daughter Dorothy, it was originally named Christmas Day for Dolly and renamed Christians awake when the music was added by John Wainwright who was born in Stockport in 1723 and became organist at Manchester collegiate church, later cathedral. He died in 1768 and is buried in Saint Mary's churchyard. The tune ‘Stockport’ shares its name with Yorkshire and the manuscript can be found in Cheetham's library. It was traditionally sung at Saint Mary's on Christmas morning with the choir gathered at Johns grave before processing into church.

The first verse calls on Christians to join with the angels in sharing the mystery of God's love. The shepherds on hearing the good news from the angels hastened to Bethlehem to see the sign that God has given them in verses two and three, they are described as being full of joy and wonder at the news and are described as the first apostles of the infant. Some versions have up to 6 verses recalling Christ’s journey to the cross but all calling us to join in praising him.

Saved by his love, incessant we shall sing

eternal praise to heavens almighty king.

Advent Reflections | Day 7 | Saturday 9th December

Ding Dong Merrily on High:

“In heaven the bells are ringing!”

Written by Dave Walker

I feel like I am drifting, floating in an ethereal mist. I look down into a greyness surrounded by a brilliant magnesium glow. I suppose this is what is referred to as an out of body experience.  As I gather my thoughts I try to remember where I am, what I was doing, what day is it, what year, even.

Slowly, moments fleetingly flash into being and are then gone. Then, the sharp pain of clarity awakens my soul. I remember. We were singing hymns, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Heilige Nacht’. That’s German, isn’t it? I can’t speak English very well. Let alone a foreign language. What is going on?

Of course, it’s Christmas. They said it would all be over by now. Maybe it is, and this is what Peace on Earth actually feels like. If so, why am I anxious; I’m not feeling very peaceful.

The mist is now clearing and so is my mind. It is 1914. We had stepped out of our rat-infested trenches to shake hands with the enemy; we shared chocolate and cigarettes and schnapps – whatever that is. We were happy (probably the schnapps!) we were alive and agreed we were not going to fire another round.

So, why am I here on a stretcher? My tunic is torn and bloodied; ah, now I remember, it wasn’t heavenly bells ringing but the field telephone. An order was given that fraternization with the enemy was to cease immediately.

Why is stupidity common, and common sense not so common? I don’t know; but orders are orders. I recall raising my head above the parapet of our earthly ‘home’ and that’s when I was shot. Possibly, by my schnapps friend, who knows? The medics say I will live. Is that why, in Heaven the bells really are ringing?

Advent Reflections | Day 6 | Friday 8th December

Once in Royal David’s City:

“And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness”

Written by Jess Piper

I don’t know about you, but for me, Christmas Day, almost feels like it’s a freeze-frame on the rest of life. For twenty-four hours, I somehow forget those things which were bothering me the day before, because everybody is happy, everybody is together, and in some small way, all seems right with the world. And that freeze-frame, picture perfect image that we have, is one which, I suspect many of us long to bottle up and take into the new year with us, and yet, is one which we find slowly dissipating a few days after the festivities are over. When our worries return, when the things we were struggling with before Christmas reappear, it’s easy for us to forget that baby, lying in a manger. And it’s even easier for us to forget who that baby would grow up to be. The part of the story which is so often unheard, is the part where everything looks like it did before the birth – where the manger is empty, the night sky is dark and silent, and the shepherds are once again on the hillside keeping watch over their flocks. Because the familiar story we tell, is just the beginning of a much bigger and broader story, which for me, is where the true power of the story lies. Since the baby lying in the manger whom we have come to celebrate this night, is Emmanuel – God with us. And that is good news for us. Because as the line of the carol we’re reflecting on today intimates, God is with us in all of life. In our joys and our sorrows.

The power of the Christmas story is the story of Emmanuel – of God who came to be with us, as one of us, so that we might know God with us every day of our lives.

Advent Reflections | Day 5 | Thursday 7th December

The First Nowell:

“On a cold Winter’s Night that was so deep”

Written by vERITY bEARDS-jONES

The Christmas Story shows God coming to Earth humbly, quietly, and softly. Emmanuel, God With Us.

Jesus’ birth ‘on a cold winter’s night that was so deep’ reminds us that in our difficulty, as well as our joy, God is present. Emmanuel, God With Us. Even when our hearts are hardened; even when the night seems dark, deep and cold, the Father of Light surrounds us. Emmanuel, God With Us. And just as Jesus came to Earth that night, so He comes to us in our times of darkness. Emmanuel, God With Us.

The festive season can be a wonderfully happy time of comfort and joy with loved ones; but for some, it can be very difficult. The Christmas Story is full of divine Love and Joy and Hope – so for some, when love, joy and hope feel distant, we feel isolated from the festivities; and God’s prevailing Love, Joy and Hope can feel so far away. In the season celebrating God’s presence coming to Earth, we can end up feeling further from God than ever.

But Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us: He comes to us in the darkness. So, when the night feels cold and deep, we don’t need to pull ourselves from Him. We don’t need to hide; in fact we can’t ever hide from Him (Psalm 139:7-12). He is the same faithful God who sees us in full and still loves us in our vulnerability: He won’t abandon us, in fact His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). He is sufficient and capable, even when it seems to us that there is no way out of the darkness we face. Praise be to God that, with Jesus by our side, we do not need to fear darkness.

‘“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honour him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16

Advent Reflections | Day 4 | Wednesday 6th December

See Amid the Winters Snow:

“Lo, within a manger lies, He who built the starry skies”

Written by Phil Wadsworth

People have always looked at the stars.  We gave nearby ones names and personalities – the Bible (Baruch 3:34) says ‘The stars shone in their watches, and were glad; He called them and they said, “Here we are!”  They shone with gladness for Him Who made them.’  The Magi and many others looked to them for guidance and prophecy.  They’ve always invoked awe and wonder at God’s majesty and purpose.

Today’s scientific instruments look beyond the visible stars.  The number of stars in a galaxy and of galaxies, the distances involved, the timespans, are expressed as numbers so large that they cannot be grasped.  The types of objects and processes we’ve discovered, the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang, the laws governing everything from interactions of sub-atomic particles to the nature of space and time, continue to push against the limits of the human intellect.  Yet all of this, physical objects and laws, all the immensity and complexity, was instantaneously within the mind of God at Creation.

Then we see ourselves:  For all the complexity of mind and body infinitesimal dots on the surface of a planet which shrinks to almost nothing when considered against the Universe as a whole.  How can we even be noticed as a species, yet alone considered individually?

Yet God, Who knows everything, had, and has, each person in mind.  He knew that this was beyond us, that we couldn’t comprehend His purpose for each of us, individually, even given His words and works as recorded in the Old Testament.  So, at Christmas, He Who build the starry skies became a human baby, so that each of us might be able fully to relate personally to God and understand how to live.  A truth so profound that, like the starry skies, it defies understanding, yet at the same time is as simple as reaching out to a friend whom we know.

Advent Reflections | Day 3 | Tuesday 5th December

While Shepherds Watched:

“Fear not .. glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind”

Written by Mark Hackney

Many countries, have both a north and a south, don’t they? Obviously, geographically, but, they also have a north and a south where, between the two, lie different social and economic realities.

In England’s North, we have the endless levelling-up debate. Dare I mention: ‘Trains’? In Italy, there is the economically strong, affluent North [Milan, etc]. Yet, it is far more disadvantaged in the rural south. ... In fact, most countries in the Global South are characterized by low income and poor infra-structure.

God, of course, will have no truck with such regionalism, division – on whichever point of the compass it lies. ... As the Seraph’s words sing out: “Fear not, glad tidings of great joy I bring to you ... and all mankind”.

And, at this season, we can surely imagine, perhaps more vividly than ever, the power of hope that Jesus brings. Jesus preaches hope for the world; his constant messaging is one of unison, sisterhood and brotherhood. A good collective word for these things would be: ‘Love.’

Jesus is the enemy of tribalism, a factionalism with resources. In the Gospels, he readily criticizes an adherence to petty boundaries and parochial thinking.

Our wonderful carol declares Jesus ‘to human view displayed.’ And when I think of Jesus, see him in my mind’s eye, my hope is always restored that the last stanza of our wonderful carol will be acknowledged by peoples from any land who will listen:

‘All glory be to God on high, and on the earth be peace,

Goodwill henceforth from heav’n to all begin and never cease.’

Love is Jesus’ song. A love that is for everyone who will listen to the rhythm. We might well take our cue from the ‘shining throng of angels’ singing so fulsomely.