Christmas Carol Service: Universal Incarnation
- revjaneblackall
- Dec 20
- 23 min read
Updated: Dec 21
Sunday Service, 21 December 2025
Led by Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall
Musical Prelude: ‘Midwinter’ – Bob Chilcott (sung by our Quartet with Andrew Robinson)
Opening Words: ‘Rediscovering What Christmas Means’ by Christine C. Robinson (adapted)
Let us join our hearts and minds together in a contemplative spirit,
as we gather once again, to rediscover what Christmas means to us.
May this quiet hour lead us to the heart of the season, which is peace.
May we breathe deeply of peace in this gathering, relax into its warmth,
know we are safe here, and let us open our hearts to the evening's story.
Like the wandering couple, may we find that
our greatest trials issue forth from our greatest joys.
Like the harried innkeeper, may we find ways to be of help to others.
Like the lumbering beasts, may we be silent witnesses to the unfathomable glory of life.
Like the shepherds on the hill, may we know that we need never be afraid.
Like the journeying wise, may we always have the courage to follow our stars.
Like the angels, may we cry peace to an unjust and troubled world.
And may this season of peace and goodwill nudge our world
towards its liberating ideals, for then will Christmas truly dawn.
Words of Welcome and Introduction:
These opening words – by the Unitarian Universalist Christine Robinson – welcome all who have gathered this morning, for our Christmas carol service. Welcome to those who have gathered in-person at Essex Church and also to all who are joining us via Zoom from far and wide. For anyone who doesn’t know me, my name is Jane Blackall and I’m Minister with Kensington Unitarians.
In today’s service we’ll be singing plenty of carols – I’ve really packed them in – and we’ll enjoy more beautiful music from our quartet. And through our readings and prayers we will focus on one of the key messages of the Christmas story – this idea of incarnation – of God being made flesh. But, as you might expect, we’re going to take a particularly Unitarian approach on this. I’ve long been inspired by these words of James Martineau, a pivotal figure in our Unitarian tradition, who once said: ‘The Incarnation is true, not of Christ exclusively, but of humanity universally, and God everlastingly.’ Through our carol service – amid all the traditional words we know and love – you’ll find this thread reflecting on what it means for each of us to truly claim our part in that process of incarnation – to know ourselves and each other as expressions of the divine right here on Earth. And to act like it!
Lighting of Chalice and Advent Candle: ‘The Divine Light, Waiting to be Reborn’ by Simon John Barlow
Let’s light our chalice flame now, as we do each week. This simple ritual
connects us in solidarity with Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the world over,
and reminds us of the proud and historic progressive religious tradition of which we are a 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.
And as it is the fourth Sunday in Advent let us also light our fourth Advent candle – we’ve lit them for hope, peace, and joy so far – this one is traditionally lit in the name of ‘love’. (light four candles)
(light advent candle)
Hymn (on sheet): ‘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 – if you’re in the building you can simply follow along in the little booklet – and if you’re at home you can just take it as it comes and be surprised when the next carol pops up on your screen (or alternatively you can follow the running order on the website; I think Shari has put the link in the chat for you). Sit or stand as you feel most comfortable. Our first carol is the traditional opener to call us to worship: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’.
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, 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 an opportunity now, for anyone who would like to do so, to light a candle and say a few words about what it represents. We’ll go to the people in the building first, then to Zoom.
So I invite some of you here in person to come and light a candle and then if you wish to tell us briefly who or what you light your candle for. I’m going to ask you to come to the lectern to speak this time as I really want people to be able to hear you and I don’t want to keep nagging you about getting close to the handheld mic. And if you can’t get to the microphone give me a wave and I’ll bring a handheld mic over to you. Thank you.
(in person candles)
And if that’s everyone in the room we’ll go over to the people on Zoom next – you might like to switch to gallery view at this stage – just unmute yourselves when you are ready and speak out – and we should be able to hear you and see you up on the big screen here in the church.
(zoom candles)
And I’m going to light one more candle, as we often do, to represent all those joys and concerns that we hold in our hearts this day, but which we don’t feel able to speak out loud. (light candle)
Time of Prayer & Reflection: based on words by Tom Schade
And let’s take those joys and concerns into an extended time of prayer now. This Christmassy prayer is based on words by Tom Schade. 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)
O God, who moves among the stars of the cold clear sky,
whose voice whispers in the silence of falling snow,
whose silence stills our hearts and leaves us wondering and waiting;
May we sense your Holy presence within us and amongst us.
We are seeking Christmas,
searching in this season for a hidden door
to a forgotten room in the house of our very being,
where we can live the lives we were meant to live.
We are searching for Christmas,
seeking in this season to be finally persuaded
that hope is not just a good idea, that love is not naïve,
and that faith is not just the brave face we put on a hopeless situation.
The fear of all the world is that You have left us alone here,
and that this here-and-now world is all there is or could ever be.
The hope of our age is that You have, indeed, met us where we are,
at an inn at the very end of the world, that we might have assurance.
You have lifted a lantern to light our path, in these hard times,
so we may follow your way through the bitter weather.
Grant us a measure of your comfort and peace, this Christmas;
fill us, each, with hope and good cheer, even in the midst of troubles;
grant that each one be enfolded, in spirit, by their loved ones, whether near or far.
In the tumult of this season, we pray that You speak
a word of encouragement and grace to every human heart. (pause)
And in a few minutes of quietness now, let us seek a wider perspective, and a longer view.
This is a time to take stock of all that is our lives and offer the deepest prayers of our own hearts.
So let us each look inward, get in touch with what’s real,
what is going on beneath the surface of our lives this morning.
Let us notice what we’re carrying. What troubles us. What is bubbling up.
What questions or uncertainties we are faced with. What hopes and dreams we nurture.
And from that place of realness – silently, inwardly, ask for
what you most need – ask God, or cast it out into the Universe –
even if you’re the only one to hear your prayer – name what you need this day. (pause)
And let give thanks for what we already have. Look back on the week
and recall all those moments of kindness, comfort, pleasure, even joy.
Silently, inwardly, take the time to savour those gifts, and take in the good. (pause)
And let us turn outwards now, shifting our attention to the world around us,
starting with those dear ones closest to our heart, stretching ever outward,
and spreading all around this planet, holding all beings in the light of love. (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 (on sheet): ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
Cometh with the holy child.
Joyful, all ye nations rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With the angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Hail, the holy Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Comes with healing in his wings,
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail the indwelling Deity!
Born to raise upon the earth
All who yearn for love's rebirth.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
In-Person Reading: The Gospel of Luke 2:1-20 (read by Patricia)
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 (on sheet): ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlefolk’
God rest ye merry, gentlefolk, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from tyranny when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father, a blessèd angel came;
And unto certain shepherds, brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born, the Son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
The shepherds at those tidings, rejoicèd much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway, this blessèd child to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
In-Person Reading: ‘Christmas Has Come’ by Joel Miller (adapted) (read by David B)
Spirit of life, holy child
born this very moment
and born in every moment:
Gifts surround us –
not gifts of gold, nor myrrh, nor even frankincense,
but simple gifts, the ones that surround us,
the easiest gifts we have to give,
the most difficult gifts to understand,
even while fear whispers to us:
fear tells us we should live as if
tomorrow no child will be born,
as though the stars will forget to shine.
Oh dear God,
empires do decree death,
their masters sell fear
and hunger really can gnaw at our bodies.
Wrap us tonight in comfort –
a loving parent’s embrace
surrounds us all with adoration,
the empire of hope and peace surrounds us.
Let’s make our own decree this Christmas:
we the people of your peaceful empire
proclaim our strength to face the gauntlets
we must each endure for ourselves.
We proclaim your love
by which we will embrace one another
comfort one another in sorrow,
celebrate with one another in joy.
We proclaim our courage
to be a beacon in the darkness
when the world forgets the promise
that every night is a holy night
and every soul has the power to save another.
We proclaim it is Christmas—
you are reborn among us:
We are the star that shines.
We are the kings and queens that bring gifts.
We are the animals and the herders.
We are the parents and we are you holy children.
God bless us every one because
we proclaim in faith: Christmas has come.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘It Came Upon the Midnight Clear’
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace to the earth, goodwill to all,
From heaven's all-gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long:
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And those who are at war hear not
The love-song which they bring:
O hush the noise, all ye of strife,
And hear the angels sing!
And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years,
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendour fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
Meditation: ‘You Have to Know Your Body as the Home of God’ by Rebecca Parker
We’re moving into a time of meditation now. I’m going to share some a short poem by Rebecca Parker titled ‘You Have to Know Your Body as the Home of God’. This expresses the heart of today’s message, I think, and I encourage you to really let these words soak into you, and connect with that sense of how you embody God in this world. And how we all do. Feel the weight of it. And the lightness of it, perhaps. The words will take us into a few minutes of shared silence which will end with the sound of a bell. Then we’ll hear some more beautiful music from our singers. 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 – 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.
‘You Have to Know Your Body as the Home of God’ by Rebecca Parker
You have to know your body as the home of God
And this is the purpose of Christmas.
The rose blossoming in the wilderness
is the unfolding of your pleasure
as the fingers peel an orange and sweetness buds in the mouth.
The bright star in the night sky
is the sudden clarity of your instinct for joy.
The birth cry in the night
is your child,
falling into the dark,
and your arms holding her.
The terror of Herod’s murderous intent
is your rage that would prefer death to change.
The singing angel is your voice at church,
not sure of the tune
but certain, for a moment, that there is glory.
The animals, breathing their warm breath
in the fragile stable are your emotions
kneeling into the body of earth
at ease in the presence of God.
Mary is you
God in your body.
Joseph is you
sheltering God in the world.
This is the key to the mystery,
The Word became flesh.
We are the dwelling place.
(You have to know your body as the home of God
And this is the purpose of Christmas.)
Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell
Musical Interlude: ‘The Shepherd’s Farewell’ – Hector Berlioz (sung by our Quartet with Andrew Robinson)
In-Person Reading: ‘Simple’ by M. Jade Kaiser (read by Charlotte)
Maybe it’s as simple
and as miraculous as this:
everything that makes life Sacred
is already here,
wailing with joy and want,
asking to be cherished, protected, nurtured
in community, queer and determined.
What if the whole earth,
the entire loving cosmos
reaching for life and flourishing,
is just asking us
to stop looking elsewhere for
what has always been within reach.
Asking us to pay attention
to this holy place,
all these sources of hope
woven through,
all this beauty
and gentle wise power
completely at home
in your flesh
and mine
and ours.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing oe’r the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tidings did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
See him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Mini-Reflection: ‘Universal Incarnation’ by Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall
The Christmas story is a strange story – maybe we forget that once we get a bit older – when we’ve heard it so many times. And it’s so many stories all at once. We could choose to focus on so many different dimensions of the Nativity that might speak to the times we are living in. But this morning, as I said at the top of the service, I want us to take this opportunity to focus on the idea of incarnation.
In the mainstream understanding (and I’m sure this is an oversimplification of Trinitarian theology!), Jesus is understood to be ‘the Word made flesh’, God taking human form and living amongst us. This notion has cropped up at least once already in our carol-singing today – in Hark the Herald Angels – we sang ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail the indwelling Deity!’ In this traditional view, Jesus is unique, and that night in Bethlehem, God was poured into one tiny body, as Mary’s baby was born. This happened once and once only in all of history. Jesus is said to be both fully God and fully human. Paradoxically both like us – so perhaps an exemplar we can hope to follow – but also radically Other.
Our Unitarian forebear, James Martineau, saw it differently. And he said it very succinctly: ‘The Incarnation is true, not of Christ exclusively, but of humanity universally, and God everlastingly.’
What might this mean? What sense can we make of it? And what are its implications for how we live?
If we were to take that idea seriously, that God is incarnate, embodied, in all human beings that live or have every lived (and some of us might want to extend that further; maybe God is incarnate in all life, animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, archaea; or maybe in all creation including things that are inanimate, if we’re of a pan(en)theistic bent)… but if we were to take the idea of universal incarnation seriously, and live as if it were true, what would it require of us?
It's a potentially challenging idea in two ways at once – it can be hard, even overwhelming, to think of ourselves as being, somehow, vessels of the divine – and it can equally be challenging to see God in our fellow humans who are often quite annoying, disappointing, frustrating (just like we are). Or downright hurtful, cruel, and destructive. How do we square that with divinity? One way I deal with this is to imagine each person as a tiny child – a holy infant, tender and mild – before the world has had its way with them, before they’ve taken wrong turns. Whatever they might have done later in life, I can still usually bring myself to accept that God – or Goodness – was present in them at birth, and I guess I also imagine that it’s still hanging on in there, tenaciously, somehow.
I came across a couple of quotes from an unexpected source which speak to these two aspects of incarnation. These are both from the contemporary Jewish teacher and mystic Arthur Green. He said: ‘Seeing yourself as an embodiment of divine light enables you to see the world that way, and vice versa, but insight, as important a goal as it is, must also come to be understood as a means rather than an end. It demands the reshaping of our lives in response to that inward learning.’ What I take from this is that if we really do take this to heart, if we can see ourselves as embodied expressions of God, then we really need to act like it! Become more like God – whatever that means for you – more compassionate, kind, loving – creative – bringing more justice, peace, beauty, truth into this world.
Arthur Green continues: ‘Recognize every person as the image of God. Work to see the Divine Image especially in those who themselves seem oblivious to it. Seek out the divinity in those who annoy, anger, or frustrate you. Hope to find and uplift sparks of holy light, even where it seems hardest. Do all the work that is needed to help others to discover the image of God within themselves.’ And I want to add an emphatic caveat to this – if people are annoying, angering, or frustrating you because they are causing harm to you or others – if they are doing violence, or bullying, or speaking cruelly, or upholding systems of oppression – this doesn’t mean we should overlook it or tolerate it. We should fiercely resist wrongdoing and we should protect ourselves and others. But still, at the same time, we can remember that everyone is part of the universal incarnation, try to connect with whatever is in them of that holy child, and help them reconnect with that, as best we can. Mostly, in our daily life, we’re not dealing with people who are out-and-out-villains; most of the people who exasperate us on a day-to-day basis are a bit of a mixed bag (and aren’t we all?). So let’s do what we can to stay in relationship and lift up – or fan the flames of – whatever ‘sparks of holy light’ we see.
It's important to admit that this is hard work! – but perhaps it is the true work of Christmas. To put on our God-glasses and see ourselves and each other through this lens. To call forth the best in ourselves and each other (and resist the cultural race-to-the-bottom). And – as we pray each week – to live well each day and be our best selves, using our unique gifts in the service of love, justice, and peace.
In that spirit I invite you now to join in with a responsive reading which is in your order of service and the words will also be up on screen for those joining on Zoom.
Responsive Reading: ‘Embodying God’ by Jane Blackall
‘The Incarnation is true, not of Christ exclusively,
but of humanity universally, and God everlastingly.’ (James Martineau)
This Christmas season, let us know ourselves, others, and all of creation,
as expressions of divinity – God embodied – the universal incarnation.
May we recognise, cultivate, and nurture that of God within ourselves
and in all those we encounter in the world, as we go about our daily lives.
We encounter and embody God through the quality of Goodness.
May we notice and affirm good deeds which help and support others.
And may we cultivate such virtues as kindness and generosity in ourselves.
We encounter and embody God through the quality of Presence.
May we notice and affirm those who show up and pay attention.
And may we cultivate such virtues as constancy and stability in ourselves.
We encounter and embody God through the quality of Justice.
May we notice and affirm truth-telling and righteous resistance.
And may we cultivate such virtues as equity and integrity in ourselves.
We encounter and embody God through the quality of Creativity.
May we notice and affirm creative work in service of the greater good.
And may we cultivate such virtues as vision and generativity in ourselves.
We encounter and embody God through the quality of Joy.
May we notice and affirm moments of silliness and wonder.
And may we cultivate such virtues as openness and play in ourselves.
We encounter and embody God through the quality of Love.
May we notice and affirm love in all its strange and beautiful guises.
And may we cultivate such virtues as compassion and devotion in ourselves.
There are so many diverse ways in which God can be ‘made flesh’.
Each of us is born a holy child, our life before us, our chance to shine.
May we cherish this gift of life we have been given, and use it wisely,
despite our struggles, making the most of our time here on earth. Amen.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘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!
Announcements:
Thanks to Ramona for tech-hosting. Thanks to Shari for welcoming everyone online. Thanks to Patricia, David, and Charlotte for reading. Thanks so much to Andrew, Margaret, Benjie, Lucy, and Edwin for our splendid music today. Thanks to Patricia for greeting. For those of you who are here in-person – we’ve got our potluck lunch – we’ve got plenty of food so you’re welcome to stay on and join us – but even if you just want to stay for a cuppa and cake that’s fine (and thanks to David for putting the kettle on). Many thanks to Liz for coordinating the lunch and everyone else who is doubtless helping out too. If you’re joining online please do hang on after the service for a chat.
If you’re up for even more carol singing please do come back on Christmas Eve for our Candlelit service – that’s at 5pm – always a really lovely gathering – with mince pies afterwards. And we’ve got more splendid music from the Wigfield Brass quintet so that should be a bit of a treat.
We’ve got various activities coming up in the weeks ahead. Tonight at 7pm we’ve got our regular ‘Heart and Soul’ online contemplative spiritual gathering – it is a great way to get to know others on a deeper level – tonight’s theme is ‘Treasures’. On Boxing Day we’ll have a festive special where we encourage regulars from both the Sunday and Friday groups (and anyone else!) to come together.
I particularly want to draw your attention to the New Year’s Mini-Retreat – I have got plenty of sign-ups for the online version on New Year’s Day – but the in-person version on Sunday 28th December is in doubt as I only have three people signed up for that so far. So please tell me TODAY if you want to come to the in-person version otherwise we might call that one off.
And we’ve got a new study group coming up, that’s starting on Tuesday 6th January on Zoom, on the theme of ‘Finding Our Religion: Being Unitarian in the 21st Century’. Each time we’ll meet to watch a 40-minute talk from this year’s Hucklow Summer School and then we’ll explore the talking points that it raises. We’ve got people from all over the country signed up already and I think it’ll be a really interesting way for you to reflect on what religion means to you. Just drop me an email if you would like to come along and I’ll send you the joining information next week.
We’ll be back next Sunday at 11am as usual when I’ll lead our service on ‘Roots and Wings’.
Details of all our various activities are printed on the back of the order of service, for you to take away, and also in the Friday email. Or why not take home a copy of our new fancy newsletter?
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 one last carol before our closing words and closing music now.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘Deck the Halls’
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, fa la la, la la la,
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol;
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la, fa la la, la la la,
While I tell of yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la, fa la la, la la la,
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Benediction: based on words by Colin Bossen
This Christmas, let us go in the Spirit of Love,
Never knowing when or where we may find the divine,
Yet conscious of that persistent spark within each of us,
And the unfolding beauty of this life we share, despite everything.
May the wonder and mystery of the season fill our minds;
May the companionship of friends and family fill our hearts;
May the blessings of the earth, food and drink fill our bodies;
And may the Love of God illuminate our souls, as we meet the days to come. Amen.
Closing Music: ‘Sleigh Ride’ - Leroy Anderson (sung by our Quartet with Andrew Robinson)
Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall
21st December 2025