On Sunday we want to our sister church- the other church that belongs to our parish. We were greeted the door by children dressed as Mary, Joseph and shepherds and what was, with a bit of imagination,a donkey.
In reality he was a huge grey shaggy Irish wolfhound, the size of pony and sporting a pair of gray donkey ears. But what a charming and well behaved donkey he made, as he walked in with the children to be part of the nativity scene up the front near the Christmas tree that with its central branch and two large branches reaching out like arms outstretched reminded me of the trinity and God – Father Son and Holy Spirit were involved in the miracle of that first Christmas. It also reminded me of the cross and the price Jesus paid that you and I might be free to come into relationship with God.
On the walls were three creative wall hangings obviously made the by the talented and crafty ladies of the congregation, these depicted various scenes with the stable, the shepherds and the wise men following the star.
The service started by singing with Joy to the World and it was interesting to hear the story behind how it came into being. Apparently the young man Isaac Watts complained about the old boring hymns at church and was told essentially by his father ‘if you think you can do better, go and write one yourself.’ He did. Joy to the World was the result. He went on to write a hymn a week. Joy to the World is now over 300 years old but the words have lost none of their impact. It is a joy to sing it as it tells the blessing of Christmas.
In the words of Christina Rossetti,
‘Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign,’
What a precious gift from our great God!
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