Thoughts from The Vicarage with Christ, carols and christingles
Greetings – Thoughts a little earlier this week as we near the time when we will be lighting the white candle of our Advent wreaths. Please find attached Pews News with services, readings and prayers.
Today, Wednesday sees the second outing of carol singing from The Vicarage – meet 6.30 to leave and sing in aid of the Children’s Society and then return to the Vicarage for refreshments with carriages at 8pm.
Christingle Making is on Sat the 23rd from 10.30 am in St Michael & All Angels – do come along for what is always a fun time and a productive one.
There won’t be Morning Prayer on zoom in the week which begins on Christmas Day- or on New Year’s Day.
Here are the Christmas Services in case you have misplaced them- please remember that there are lots of services to come to, but don’t come to the 9am at East Garston or the 10.30 at Lambourn on Christmas Eve because you will be quite lonely. Because they are not happening.
- Thursday 21st 3pm Dress up Nativity St Michael & All Angels
- Thursday 21st 6.30pm Jingle & Mingle in aid of the Air Ambulance & St Michael’s – St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday 24th 4pm Crib service St James
- Sunday 24th 4pm Christingle St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday 24th 11pm Midnight Mass St Michael & All Angels
- Monday 25th 9am Christmas Day communion All Saints
- Monday 25th 10.30 am Christmas Day communion St James
- Monday 25th 10.30 am Christmas Day communion St Michael & All Angels
Also, look out for small books of reflections for The 12 Days of Christmas at the back of Church- pay £2 for 2 and buy one for someone else who would enjoy it- and if you do that, do chat to them about what they find and what they think. Some info is here Follow the Star (https://chpublishing.co.uk) but we have ordered them already so you don’t need to order your own.
And finally, I was sent this by a friend – The next couple weeks are the darkest weeks of the year. Jesus promises us that what is said in the dark will be heard in the light. So grab hold of God in the darkness and tell him everything. Don’t hold back. Let it all out. Br. Jack Crowley.
And for those who like a bit of John Betjeman the final three verses of his poem Christmas – hear it all read here https://tinyurl.com/mwmbmt4f
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?
And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,
No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare –
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine
Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year as Thoughts takes a break .
God bless, keep, and inspire you
Julie