Christmas Carol Service – 18/12/22

Musical Prelude: ‘Candlelight Carol’ sung by our Quartet with Peter Crockford

Opening Words for Advent: ‘A Candle for Love’ by Megan Visser (adapted)

This morning marks the fourth Sunday in the season of Advent.

Each week until Christmas, we have been lighting a new candle
on the Advent wreath, symbols of hope, peace, joy, and love.
As the season reaches its completion, we prepare for new life to dawn.
Our hearts soften and our arms open to embrace its brightness.

This morning we have lit the fourth candle (at least, in virtual form).
We light this candle as a reminder that there is no greater power in the world than love.
Through this community, we can become a blessing to one another:
our resolve is strengthened, our love is magnified, and lives are changed.
We can hardly wait any longer for the wonder of love to be revealed.
May we risk enough to become vulnerable and welcome holy tenderness.

Words of Welcome and Introduction:

With the lighting of our advent candles, with words from Megan Visser, we welcome all those who have gathered from far and wide this morning for our Sunday service. Whether it’s your first time with us or your thousandth – if you’re here every week or drop in from time to time when life allows – we are always glad to have you with us (especially during this festive season). For those who don’t know me, my name is Jane Blackall, I’m ministry coordinator with Kensington Unitarians. Whoever you are, however you are, wherever you are, I hope you find a little bit of festive comfort and joy here today.

Feel free to do what you need to do to be comfortable this hour – it’s always lovely to see your faces in the gallery and get a sense of our togetherness as a congregation – but we know for some it will feel more comfortable to keep your camera mostly-off and that’s fine. Similarly there’ll be opportunities for you to join in – in words or song – as we go but there’s no compulsion to do so.

This is our Christmas carol service – an hour of carols and readings – a chance for us to explore the themes of the season in our own Unitarian way. As you’ll have gathered this is a bit of a last-minute change from the advertised plan – this was to be our first in-person carol service in three years – but Covid has foiled us once again as our warden (and tech-host) Ramona has been taken poorly. So we find ourselves all back on Zoom this Sunday – let’s all wish Ramona a full and swift recovery – and hopefully we’ll be broadcasting from the church again for our candlelit service on Christmas Eve.

Chalice Lighting: ‘The Divine Light, Waiting to be Reborn’ by Simon John Barlow

Before we go any further though, I’ll light our chalice, as we always do whenever we gather. This simple ritual connects us with Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the world over, and reminds us of the proudly progressive religious tradition of which this gathering is part.

(light chalice)

This Christmas we light our chalice
in celebration of the Divine Light;
the light waiting to be reborn
in every atom of our bodies,
in every thought in our minds,
in the very essence of every soul –
the light of God waiting for humanity to reach out to it
so that hope and peace and joy and love may reign.

Hymn: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’

It’s time for our first carol now – after this first one all the carols and readings are going to be unannounced today to keep it flowing – we’ve got six carols in all and if you want to know what’s coming up you can follow the script on our website but otherwise perhaps you can enjoy the surprise! They’re all recordings of our own congregation in years gone by so some of you might even hear yourself singing (or rustling, or coughing!) Our first carol is ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ – I encourage you to sing along at home with gusto – but if you just want to listen that’s fine too.

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

See how the shepherds, Summoned to his cradle,
Leaving their flocks draw nigh with lowly fear;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps:
O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

Lo, star-led chieftains, Wise men, Christ adoring,
Offer him incense, gold and myrrh;
We to the Christ-child bring our hearts’ oblations:
O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:
Glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

Candles of Joy and Concern:

Each week when we gather together, whether it’s in person at the church in Kensington or here as an online congregation, we share a simple ritual of candles of joy and concern, an opportunity to light a candle and share something that is in our heart with the community. So we’ve got a good few minutes now, for anyone who would like to do so, to light a candle (real or imaginary) and say a few words about what it represents.

When you’re ready to speak, unmute your microphone so we can all hear you, and then re-mute yourself once you’ve finished. If you are going to speak, please be aware of how long you’re speaking for, so that there’s time for others to say something too. Let’s leave a pause between one candle and the next, so we can honour what’s been shared. And don’t worry too much if two people end up speaking at the same time, or there’s a technical hitch of some sort – these things happen on Zoom – please do persevere! At this point it’d be nice, if you can, to switch to gallery view so we can all see everybody.

(candles – thank each person)

I’ve got one more candle here and – as we often do – I’m going to light that to represent all those joys and concerns that we might be holding silently in our heart today, those stories which we don’t feel able to share out loud this morning.

Let’s take a moment now to think of all those joys and concerns we have heard expressed… all those little windows into our shared human condition and the life of the world we share… and let’s hold them – and each other – in a spirit of loving-kindness for a moment or two. And let’s take those joys and concerns into an extended time of prayer now. This prayer is based on some words – a contemporary echo of the Lord’s Prayer – by Elizabeth Bukey.

Time of Prayer & Reflection: based on words by Elizabeth Bukey

You might first want to adjust your position for comfort, close your eyes, or soften your gaze. There might be a posture that helps you feel more prayerful. Whatever works for you. Do whatever you need to do to get into the right state of body and mind for us to pray together – to be fully present here and now, in this sacred time and space – with ourselves, with each other, and with that which is both within us and beyond us. (pause)

Spirit of Life, God of All Love, in whom we live and move and have our being,
we turn our full attention to you, the light within and without,
as we tune in to the depths of this life, and the greater wisdom
to which – and through which – we are all intimately connected.
Be with us now as we allow ourselves to drop into the
silence and stillness at the very centre of our being. (pause)

We gather in reverence and thanks for You,
Ground of our Being, Source of all Good.
We are grateful for the gift of another breath,
and for each moment of connection, beauty, and truth.

Cry with us in our pain for our world.
Remind us that we are loved, just as we are.
Remind us that we are connected with all that is.
Remind us that we do not journey alone.

Give us what we need for today.
Call us back to our promises, commitments, and values.
Help us love ourselves and each other,
And to show that love in our actions.

Make us instruments of justice, equity, and compassion.
Free us from all that is evil; keep us from wrong.
We declare that life and love are stronger than tyranny and fear,
That a world of beauty and love is coming,
And we must shape it together. (pause)

In a few moments of shared stillness now, let us call to mind those people and situations who are on our hearts this morning, thinking of all those issues that concern us close to home, and those troubled places the world over, and let us hold them gently in loving-kindness. (pause)

And let us hold ourselves in loving-kindness too. Each of us carries our own private burdens. Perhaps this time of year brings up difficult issues for you; life is tough for many right now. So let us rest in self-compassion now as we ask silently for what we need this day. (pause)

And let us take a moment to reflect on the week just gone in a spirit of gratitude; let us notice and give thanks for those blessings, large or small, that have helped to lift our weary spirits. Maybe we can prepare our hearts to notice life’s goodness in the week ahead. (pause)

Spirit of Life – God of all Love – as this time of prayer comes to a close, we offer up
our joys and concerns, our hopes and fears, our beauty and brokenness,
and we call on you for insight, healing, and renewal.

As we look forward now to the coming week,
help us to live well each day and be our best selves;
using our unique gifts in the service of love, justice and peace. Amen

Hymn: ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell.
Give comfort to all exiles here, and to the aching heart bid cheer.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Love to dwell.

O come, you Splendour very bright, as joy that never yields to might.
O come, and turn all hearts to peace, that greed and war at last shall cease.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Truth to dwell.

O come, you Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your presence here.
And dawn in every broken soul as vision that can see the whole.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Light to dwell.

O come, you Wisdom from on high, from depths that hide within a sigh,
To temper knowledge with our care, to render every act a prayer.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Hope to dwell.

Reading: The Gospel of Luke 2:1-20 (read by Brian)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Hymn: ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’

In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter long ago.

In the ancient story of the infant’s birth
Angels in their glory promised peace on earth;
But only his mother, with a mother’s bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

Christ was homeless stranger, so the gospels say,
Cradled in a manger and a bed of hay:
In the bleak mid-winter stable-place sufficed
Mary and her baby Jesus Christ.

Once more child and mother weave their magic spell,
Touching hearts with wonder words can never tell:
In the bleak mid-winter, in this world of pain,
Where our hearts are open Christ is born again.

Meditation: ‘Christmas’ by Lynn Ungar

We’re moving into a time of meditation now. I’m going to share a few words for meditation, a short poem by UU minister Lynn Ungar, her take on the Christmas story. Perhaps they’ll speak to you; perhaps they’ll spark your own thoughts on what you take from the story of the Nativity. These words will take us into a few minutes of shared silence which will end with the sound of a bell. And then we’ll hear some beautiful music from our choir (my favourite). So let’s each do what we need to do to get comfortable – adjust your position if you need to – perhaps put your feet flat on the floor to ground and steady yourself – maybe close your eyes. As we always say, the words and music are just an offering, feel free to use this time to meditate in your own way.

It was all so complicated:
The questionable parentage,
the awkward journey,
the not knowing where you will sleep,
or when the baby will come,
or what his life will look like—
even what the world will be like
when he is grown.
Life is usually that complicated.

It was all so simple:
Keep walking. Stop when you can.
Breathe. Through the pain, breathe.
Hold him. Feed him. Keep him warm.
Cradle his head in the palm of your hand.
These are things we all know.

It was, it is, so complicated
and so simple:
Love what does not belong to you.
Love what will be broken.
Love what mystifies you.
Love what scares you.
Love the aching flesh
no more and no less than
the brilliant star.
Love what will die
and what will be born again
and die again
and be born again
in love.

Period of Silence and Stillness

Musical Interlude: ‘The Shepherd’s Farewell’ sung by our Quartet with Peter Crockford

Reading: ‘A Christmas Prayer’ by Rebecca Parker (adapted) (read by Maria)

We remember the Magi,
Observers of stars, seekers of signs,
Who found their way to kneel before a baby.
May we, too, kneel before life’s intricate mysteries
Following the path of science-based searchers for truth.

We remember Mary,
Birth-mother of a revolutionary prophet,
The fetus in her womb a surprise,
Her choice a decision to magnify her hope,
The birth difficult,
Attended by a beautiful diversity of animals,
And a rag-tag gathering of vulnerable people.
May we too, kneel at the cradle of earth’s dreams for peace
And dedicate ourselves to revolutionary love.

We remember Joseph,
Unexpectant father,
Who embraced the baby as his own
Believing that every child has a God-given entitlement to love and care.
May we too, stand by the women and children of this world
When privilege and power threaten their freedom,
And put their well-being at risk.

We remember the Angels
Singing on a cold night to the over-taxed poor,
Promising peace and goodwill to all.
May we echo their song in acts of solidarity and justice
For all souls—refugee souls, disabled souls, queer souls,
Black souls, young souls, transgender souls –
all who are oppressed and downtrodden,
all who are harmed by unjust systems.
May we join the bold, holy movement
To bring heaven to earth, here and now.

May the Morning Star brighten our hope for a new day,
may laughter strengthen all our prayers,
and may peace and justice prevail. Amen.

Hymn: ‘Good King Wenceslas’

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath’ring winter fuel

“Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know’st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither.”
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind’s wild lament
And the bitter weather.

“Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, loving folk, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
You who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

Reading: ‘Seeking Christmas’ by Patricia Bowen (adapted) (read by Juliet)

We have come here seeking Christmas,
searching outside ourselves
for what can, perhaps, only be found within.
We will not find Christmas here unless we have brought it with us.

Christmas is
a season of the spirit,
a habit of the heart,
not reserved for designated days in December,
but available all days, all year,
lighting our way through the darkness and the
dullness of the winters of our souls to the
Bethlehem that dwells in each of us.
There, a star shines in spite of ourselves,
and the absurdities and the ironies of our existence.

We need to be reminded, now and then, of that star’s
abiding presence and persistence in each and every one of us.

Here we pause, if only for a moment,
in the midst of the season’s madness,
to listen for the angel voices that sound softly inside each of us,
proclaiming the deeper truth of Christmas that lies beneath
all the tinsel and glitter of getting and spending,
the ho ho hos that can so easily become, for many of us, bah humbugs.

As we pause here, in midwinter, let us listen quietly to those whispers of Christmas truth…
of the gifts of Christmas that cannot be got or bought or sold but can only be
freely received and gladly given – shared – with ourselves and others
as we embody the Christmas spirit, together, in community.

Hymn: ‘Joy to the World’

Joy to the world, for peace shall come:
Let this be our refrain!
In every heart, in every land,
Let peace and freedom reign!
Let peace and freedom reign!
Let peace and love and freedom reign!

Joy to the earth where truth is all,
And justice our domain!
In every mind, in every word,
Let peace and freedom reign!
Let peace and freedom reign!
Let peace and love and freedom reign!

Joy to our hearts, good-will to all!
The earth, the world shall ring
With deeds of love, with songs of praise:
Let peace and freedom reign!
Let peace and freedom reign!
Let peace and love and freedom reign!

Announcements:

Thanks to Maria for co-hosting today. Thanks to Brian, Maria, and Juliet for reading. Thanks to Peter and our Quartet. There will be virtual coffee time after the service so do hang around for a chat.

We have various small group activities for you to meet up. Coffee morning is online at 10.30am Wednesday. There are still spaces left for our Heart and Soul gatherings (though the pattern is a little bit different after Christmas; there’s one tonight, then a Christmas special on Boxing Day, then the normal pattern resumes the Friday after) and this week’s theme is ‘Giving’.

We won’t be having a service next Sunday as that’s Christmas Day but we will have our traditional candlelit Christmas Eve service at 5pm (all being well, that’s hybrid). Please let me know if you’re planning to be there. Heidi is organising dinner after that service at the Mall Tavern – please do get in touch with Heidi ASAP to book. The West London Green Spirit group are going to have a Winter Solstice gathering on Wednesday – get in touch with Sarah to let her know if you plan to be there.

I’m running a workshop on New Year’s Eve – an online mini-retreat from 2-5pm – where we can reflect on the turning of the year. Email me to sign up for that one. And Carolyn Appleby is hosting ‘Christmas Alone Together’ – a way for those of us who are going to be alone over Christmas to support each other via online means – get in touch with Carolyn to find out more. Details of these activities and all our events are on the back of the order of service and also in the Friday email.

The congregation very much has a life beyond Sunday mornings; we encourage you to keep in touch, look out for each other, and do what you can to nurture supportive connections.

I think that’s everything. Just time for one last carol before we draw this service to a close.

Hymn 93: ‘Ding! Dong! Merrily on High’

Ding dong! Merrily on high
In heav’n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! Verily the sky
Is riv’n with angels singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And i-o, i-o, i-o,
By priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your eve-time song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Benediction: based on words by Kenneth W. Phifer

We’ve just got our closing words and music now. So I invite you to select gallery view at this point, if you can, so we can all see each other and get a sense of our gathered community as we close.

May the love and goodwill of this season
be with us through all the days of the year
and bring us strength and courage and faith.

May the blessed peace of this season
be felt deep in our souls,
and bring us comfort and serenity.

May the light of this season
shine in our hearts, and bring us
moments of laughter and contentment.

May the joy of this season
be shared with others
and bring hope for the days yet to come.

And may it be so for the greater good of all. Amen.

Closing Music: ‘Candlelight Carol’ sung by our Quartet with Peter Crockford

Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall

18th December 2022