Three Christmas nativities in one day!

Barnet Asian Old Peoples Association celebrated the story of Christmas in the Barnet Multi Cultural Centre next door to church. It was an amazing drama, faithfully reading from St Luke's Gospel and spiced with dramatic licence. The youngest performer was 68 years old! See the picture below.
This morning our older children from SMSJ held their annual Christmas carol service with the school choir sounding brilliant and this afternoon it will be the infants turn with their nativity play. What. Blessed day in the parish.

Colindale primary school carol sing

Here are some children from Colindale primary school singing Christmas carols in the Hyde united reform church. This is not a church school and the children are from the many diverse faith communities of our borough. Their singing was full of joy and life. We even had children signing for those who might not able be to hear their beautiful voices.

Christmas lunch on Jesus

Just got in from delivering around 50 vouchers for local residents in the two parishes to have a free Christmas hamper delivered on Saturday. This is an initiative created by Jesus House in Barnet whereby hundreds of hampers are delivered to the most need across the Borough. My first letterbox, at 7.30am on the west Hendon, was proving s little tiresome and I was aware of the early hour and so doing my best to make as little noise as Possible. The door flew open and a very angry young man shouted at me "take your F****hand out of my f**** door before I break it" Maybe not the best start to a bit of neighbourly concern. It's been amazing talking to many who opened their doors to receive their voucher today. One neighbour told me about her struggle with addiction and depression following the intervention of social services who have taken her baby from her earlier this year. This young woman is sharing her hamper with her first born son and an elderly neighbour in the flat beneath her who had his benefits stopped suddenly last week. All of this had been made possible by the inspirational dedication of Ayo and Wonu and their team at Jesus House. Thank you for letting us work with you! If anyone wants to help us with the distribution of hampers we are meeting in West Hendon car park at 10.00am.

O Wisdom!

Today, we move into the second part of Advent, preparing more immediately for our celebration of Christmas. My Christmas decorations are going up today!

Every day during this part of Advent, we say one of the 'O Antiphons' at Evening Prayer. Based on scripture, these express our human longing for Christ. Perhaps you could use them in your own prayers as Christmas approaches:

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,
you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care:
Come and show your people the way to salvation. (17 December)

O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:
Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. (18 December)

O Flower of Jesse’s stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. (19 December)

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel,
controlling at your will the gate of heaven:
Come, break down the prison walls of death
for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;
and lead your captive people into freedom. (20th December)

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death. (21st December)

O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart;
O Keystone of the mighty arch of man:
Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. (22nd December)

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver,
desire of the nations, Savior of all people:
Come and set us free, Lord our God.     (23rd December)

The popular hymn, 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' is based on these antiphons.

Poem on Our Lady of Willesden

Our lady of Willseden

Trevor, a member of both of our congregations, has written a poem about the shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, which we visited in August. He has allowed us to share it on this blog:

Black Madonna
Scarred hands and twisted arms
Carved in ebony

Boy child
Created with the same ferocity
That replicated her beauty

Strong arms
Lift him to the passing throng
In a gesture taut with longing

Strong hands
Gnarled but strangely delicate
Fingers cracked by hard work

Holy infant
Made from the same hard block
Cut to create his mother

His hands are different
Soft - reflecting the light
From the ring of votive candles

They are carved in white wood
The grain is faulty
Knots on the polished surface
Contorted like old wounds

The frail Franciscan Friar
Leans his head to the floor
As he kneels before the Icon

Almost indifferent
I pause to light a candle
Before continuing my journey

Gaudete!

Just a quick reflection today, as I get ready to go to our Christingle service at St John's this afternoon.

Today is Gaudete Sunday, a day set aside for rejoicing. The words of St Paul's letter to the Phillipians echo in our ears, "Rejoice in the Lord always". We, as Christians, are called to rejoice. This doesn't mean that we should walk around with fixed grins, ignoring the reality of suffering in the world. Rather it means that our lives should be deeply focused on the hope that is ours in Christ. We believe that Christ has come at Christmas, and that Christ will come again in glory.

Whatever we encounter in life, we do so in the context of a hope that history is in God's hands. This gives us reason to rejoice in the depth of our being. It sets us free from hopelessness and despair, and allows us to celebrate in a way that isn't shallow or superficial, but is grounded in the most sure reality of all - the God of love.

Congratulations Michael and Sheila

A wonderful service of Holy Matrimony at St. John this afternoon. Not just ecumenical with three pastors in church and taking part but also father if the groom the rev'd Micaiah Onohwakpo concelebrated and I hope he will join us one Sunday in the new year before he returns to Delta region Nigeria.