The Blessings of Christmas

Are to firstly be found at 08:30 on a Christmas morning celebrating the Eucharist with so many wonderfully faithful and engaged people.

Secondly to be privileged to preside at such a service with the wonderfully measured and sound piece of liturgy that is the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) service.

The cherry on the cake comes in the shape of the location this took place in - and I have to say that the chapel dedicated to St George in Tamworth's Parish church is one of the most lovely and sacred spots of all that I might have been able to do this service in.

Between Burne-Jones' 'Days of Creation - the Patriarchs and Prophets - and St Christopher (all dedicated to Sir Robert Peel) and the joy of knowing that one faithful member of the church would rejoice that the candlesticks and cross were back where they belonged - it was a splendid start to what was destined to be a wonderfully blessed and restful day.

Second Day of Christmas

Which is, if the explanation is correct is all about the Old and New Testaments.

Two books containing more books:

Thirty-nine in the Old Testament
Twenty-Seven in the New Testament

Why not print the above image and start to learn the books (if you don't know them)

Boxing Day - All about being called out, dragged outside and being stoned!

Yesterday the focus should have been On Jesus - God made man.

Today we find ourselves being drawn to present ourselves outside our local Next at 06:00 or to join in the clamouring crowds at Debenhams or other such outlet by the adverts. We are encouraged, nay cajoled, to get out there and rid ourselves of whatever money we have managed to hang on to in the run up to Christmas Day.

Of course today is 'Boxing Day' - a day of cold cuts and time off for those in service (well once upon a time that was) - a day which for as long as I can recall was generally about sales and sport. Whitings, Gamages and other stores in the morning and the Arsenal (or the Spurs) in the afternoon.

Well that was the reality for much of my life - being brought up in a decidedly non-believing household - and even when I came to faith, this continued to generally be the set menu for the day. Too. That is until I became a 'full on', card-carrying, Anglican.

As a free church charismatic I learned nothing of the Church's seasons nor the saints and heroes of it either. Sadly the same was true as my journey passed through being a Baptist (where it all began) and into (and out of) the world that is Pentecostalism - although I gained Spurgeon and Wigglesworth as heroes on the way. This situation was remedied when the superficial nature of my 'Anglicanism' was put aside for the joys of seasons and feasts, festivals and saints.

It is ironic that from the rigid structures of those churches who had a free liturgical pattern of worship  it was the all too often proclaimed (and much despised) vain repetitions of the Church of England that gifted me the richness of saints and seasons - feasts and festivals.

It is ironic too that it was within the Anglican setting that the Bible suddenly expanded into the fullness of having sixty-six books (rather than Paul's writing, the Gospels and a few other books besides). The reason being that whilst the teaching might have been good elsewhere - it was generally only good in part and the parts considered were fewer in number than the whole!

Yes - I have to admit that I am a sucker for the Lectionary and for feasts, festivals and the 'red letter' days: And today is one such day - being the feast day where we remember the Saint (meaning one whose life is an example to us), martyr and one of the first deacons: Stephen.

So, drawing upon the words of Acts 6 and 7, let's take a muchly condensed look at Stephen:

The Church was growing and the demands, and tensions within it, were growing such that the Apostles found themselves being drawn away from ministering the word to deal with the logistical and 'day to day' stuff. So they decided to set aside (or 'call out') seven men to do the 'hands on' stuff - and one of these was Stephen. The others being; Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch (a Jewish convert).

They were commissioned by the laying on of hands and sent out to do the stuff - and Stephen did (with sound speaking and signs and wonders) to the extent that people got niggled with him and set him up - the result being that he was falsely accused and eventually taken outside and stoned to death (whilst a bloke called Saul minded the coats of those doing the stoning).

This is an important passage because it is the beginning of the diaconal role (which means being a deacon - one called out to assist those who preach the word by doing the 'hands on' and practical day-to-day stuff).

It shows how being a deacon is more than just the 'hands on' for Stephen performed signs and wonders (which should follow the preaching of the word) and spoke publicly (evangelistic and proclamatory ministry too!).

It is the first example of 'calling out' members of the Church into ministry and is the beginning of the model of Church that demands all-member and collegial ministry - an obviously Biblical and longstanding model!

So, as we approach the year's end perhaps I can cheekily encourage you to read your Bibles and keep an eye on the Lectionary to see who we are celebrating (and perhaps I'll start featuring them each day too to assist here) and to ponder on who they are, what they did and what their lives might encourage us to be.

Happy feast day of Stephen.

Morning Prayer - Dec 26

Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr

Psalm 13
How long will you forget me, O Lord; for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long shall I have anguish in my soul and grief in my heart, day after day?
How long shall my enemy triumph over me? Look upon me and answer, O Lord my God; lighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death; Lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him,’ and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
But I put my trust in your steadfast love; my heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt so bountifully with me.

Psalm 31.1-8
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my stronghold; guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake. Take me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I put my trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy, for you have seen my affliction and known my soul in adversity.
You have not shut me up in the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in an open place.

Psalm 150
Alleluia.
O praise God in his holiness;
praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts;
praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet;
praise him upon the harp and lyre.
Praise him with timbrel and dances;
praise him upon the strings and pipe.
Praise him with ringing cymbals;
praise him upon the clashing cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Alleluia.

Jeremiah 26.12-15
Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, ‘It is the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you. But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.’

Acts 6
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The Collect
Gracious Father,
who gave the first martyr Stephen grace to pray for those who took up stones against him:
grant that in all our sufferings for the truth we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us, Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day One

I have always been intrigued by the 'twelve days of Christmas' and like many - didn't really know what they referred to. These days I am increasingly aware that folk think they are the last twelve days leading up to Christmas Day and of course, this is wrong.

The twelve days begin, as I understand it, on Christmas day and end when the Magi (three kings or three wise men) come into the presence of the infant Jesus (symbolic of Jesus, the Christ, becoming made known to the non-believing world*) on the feast of Epiphany (5th January).

Many people have told me that the words of the 'twelve days' song have hidden meaning (but don't so many of the old nursery rhymes as they deal with catholicism, the plague and the like?) but everything I've found seem to indicate that this is perhaps an extended myth or the 'urban' kind - That said the explanations out there are wild, weird and varied. Here's a compliation of the most consistent view of them:

Partridge in a pear tree         Jesus Christ

Two turtle doves                     Old and New Testaments

Three French Hens                 Faith, hope, love (1 Cor 13) or the Trinity

Four Calling birds                 The Four Gospels or four Evangelists

Five Golden Rings                  The Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy)

Six geese a laying                    Six days of creation

Seven Swans a swimming      Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Eight maids a-milking           Eight Beatitudes

Nine Ladies Dancing              Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Ten Lords a-leaping               Ten Commandments

Eleven pipers piping              Eleven faithful disciples

12 drummers drumming       Twelve articles of the Apostles Creed

Like the old man 'who wouldn't say his prayer' the song apparently has origins in the Catholic persecution and is a way of remembering the catechism in a safe manner. Regardless  - it's a fun song, isn't it?

And here we are at Day one: All about Jesus - innit?

www.cartoonchurch.com 

* The shepherds were Jews and they represent Jesus being revealed to the people of faith.
The Magi, being non-Jews, represent Jesus being revealed to the heathen (meaning non-Jewish)

Hail the Sun of Righteousness - Happy Christmas

I'm sitting here thinking on tonight's service as I return to very same church I served my Title in (what means started off in as a Curate) and do the Midnight service as the  'Acting Vicar'.

Here I am in the town that I have adopted, and been adopted by, doing a service that always means so much to me in a place (St Editha's) that means such a great deal to me in a town that has come to mean so much to me and the sense of privilege and responsibility is great.

To be able to bring the Christmas message to those people who will be gathering in Tamworth's town centre church and to have the opportunity to share the Christmas message with those who will be popping in on their way home from the pubs and clubs (or merely on their way from one to another) is perhaps the icing on the cake that is my ministry thus far - and I am so very grateful for the experience.

So as I prepare I can but thank those who have made the journey with me this year and broken bread, prayed and been part of the ministry and madness that makes Tamworth such a challenge and so much fun.

I pray that all those churches within our town (and beyond) who together form Tamworth Covenanting Churches find themselves packed as they come to, once again, tell the Christmas story and share in the reality of God's love made real and come down to earth as Jesus, the Christ.

I thank God for the many expressions of His love that are to be found in our town:

Starfish

Soul Café

Foodbank

Christians Against Poverty

Signs for Worship

Street Angels

And pray that these will go from strength to strength over the coming year.

May God touch you with His love tonight and always.

Please pray for those who are deployed in places far from home as part of their service in the forces, charities and NGO's - working for peace in distant places

Please remember those who are missing loved ones from around their tables this Christmas that they will know comfort and support at this time.

So all that's left to me is to wish you a most blesséd and fantastic Christmas.

Which of course - I do :-)

Christmas Cards - Dec 24

Sort of says it all I guess - Happy Birthday Jesus!

Ho, Ho, Holy Night :-)

Morning Prayer - Dec 24

Psalm 45
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

You are the most handsome of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you for ever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your glory and majesty.

In your majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let your right hand teach you dread deeds. Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever. Your royal sceptre is a sceptre of equity; you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty.Since he is your lord, bow to him; the people of Tyre will seek your favour with gifts, the richest of the people with all kinds of wealth.

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; in many-coloured robes she is led to the king; behind her the virgins, her companions, follow. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.

In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and for evermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes,
   with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Malachi 2.1-16
And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence.

Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, so that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts. My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.

Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this—any to witness or answer, or to bring an offering to the Lord of hosts.

And this you do as well: You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favour at your hand. You ask, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the Lord was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did not one God make her? Both flesh and spirit are his. And what does the one God desire? Godly offspring. So look to yourselves, and do not let anyone be faithless to the wife of his youth. For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.

Matthew 19.13-15
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

The Collect
Almighty God,
you make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our redeemer,
so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.