Advent 4C

A place around the manger — Ana Gobledale, UK

Who am I? The mother, a vessel for someone else’s plan? The father, not the father, standing sentinel? A shepherd, dirty and bedraggled, a loner from the veld? A magi, wise and discerning, hoping in star-studded messages? An angel, iridescent, illuminating and terrifying? A donkey, nuzzling the manger, hungrily searching for hay? A lamb, bleating, […]

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Joseph’s letter — Duncan Wilson, UK

Greetings, You know that I missed out on schooling so never got the proper hang of writing and rarely needed it anyway so long as I could scribble a bill. I’ve asked the Rabbi to help me with this short letter telling you the latest news. Everything is overshadowed by this tax registration. There’s no […]

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Preparing for Christmas — William Stephenson, USA

God Doesn’t ask us To believe in the future. God calls us To believe the future in! Without vision, People perish. God Doesn’t ask us To believe in love. God asks us to believe love in, By what we do and say In our relationships And daily priorities. God Doesn’t ask us To believe in […]

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Christmas Blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Let us go from this place proclaiming That we have seen the glory of God Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome. May the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this Christmas, and […]

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Love Eternal, hymn – Sam Goodman, UK

Tune: Westminster Abbey (Christ is made the sure foundation) Love eternal, here among us Breathing hope into every life Love from heaven, love descending Walking humbly and by our side Holding, healing, love revealing Love once broken, crucified Love enduring, here to save us Here to lift us away from hate Love redeemed and resurrected […]

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Psalm 80 renewed – Duncan Wilson, UK

Advent 4, Year C Hear us, Shepherd God, leading your flock, we are in trouble and need you to save us. Bring us back, show us your mercy, come to our rescue. Do not take offence at our pleading. The world is like a cup filled with sorrows. We have shed too many tears, fighting […]

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Christmas gathering words — Cara Heafey, UK

This morning we have come to tell again The story of angels and shepherds Of disbelieving fathers and unlikely mothers. This morning we have come to hear again The good, good news Of love born among us Of God here with us. This morning we prepare to receive the gift Of a child born in […]

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Santa Claus? — Karen Campbell, UK

I never believed in Santa Claus – That jolly man in red, Squeezing down the chimney pot When all should be in bed. I never thought he brought me presents Neatly wrapped beneath the tree – I knew my Mum looked through her catalogue And ordered gifts for me. And not just me, you understand […]

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Call to Worship, Advent 4 — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

A responsive reading Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel and restore us O God: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. From the throngs of city centers to the far-flung wilderness: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. To every nation, race and people: Let your face shine, that we may […]

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Virgin Monologue — Jim Burklo, USA

 “‘God did it,’ isn’t an explanation,” said Joseph. He got no account for the baby’s chromosomes, No description of the mechanism that Transmuted the divine shadow into royal blood. “‘The devil made me do it’ would have sounded better to me,” said Joseph, Though it never did him any good When he said it to […]

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