Thoughts from The Vicarage with music and art of Advent
Greetings! Please find Pews News attached & dates at the base of this letter.
As we approach the second Sunday of Advent John The Baptist appears in the wilderness and we hear memorable words from the prophet Isaiah ‘A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots….’ A reminder of the ‘O’ Antiphon of which I wrote and spoke on Advent Sunday. Jesus was firmly rooted in the history of God’s people as one look at All Saints’ Jesse Tree tells us. God didn’t decide on the spur of the moment to be born in Bethlehem – rather it was the key moment in God’s millennia-long plan for the salvation of his people.
Thanks to those who shared their thoughts upon the ‘O’ Antiphons last week! As promised here are links to a few of the resources. The antiphons address God by seven scriptural titles, each of which speaks to a different aspect of Christ’s identity.
There are many creative ways to explore the Advent antiphons through art – by reflecting on existing artwork or making your own. Eight illustrations were created using traditional Korean watercolour on delicate rice paper. By reimagining the Advent story through a traditional medium, these works draw together the promises of the Old Testament and the fulfilment of them Christians find in the New. They invite us into wonder, peace and joyful expectation. The Art of the Antiphons | The Church of England
For those who enjoy contemplative music The Advent Antiphons sung by the St Martin’s Voices are here St Martin’s Voices & Andrew Earis – The Advent Antiphons
Advent is a season of expectation and preparation as the Church looks forward to celebrating the coming of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. If I have piqued your interest in these ancient terms of God Advent 1 has activity sheets for each of the 7 Antiphons!
Finally a prayer
Make us ready, Lord Jesus,
to respond to a world that needs so much to know you,
to know your mercy and justice,
to know your love and peace.
May the world that needs to see you,
see your Spirit and your love in us,
and may we see your image in each person we meet.
Amen
God bless
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Diary Dates
- December 8th 1.30 pm – Lambourn CE school Christmas celebration St Michael & All Angels
- December 14th 5pm Carols & Christingles St James
- December 14th 6pm Carol Service All Saints
- December 16th 6.30 Jingle & Mingle St Michael & All Angels
- December 17th Carol singing from The Vicarage
- December 19th 3pm Dress up Nativity service St Michael & All Angels
- December 21st 6pm Carol Service St Michael & All Angels
- December 24th 4pm Crib service St James
- December 24th 4pm Christingle St Michael & All Angels
- December 24th 11pm Midnight Mass St Michael & All Angels
- December 25th 9am Christmas Day Communion All Saints
- December 25th 10.30 am Christmas Day Communion St James
- December 25th 10.30am Christmas Day Communion St Michael & All Angels
- December 28th 10.30 Holy Innocents Day Holy Communion (said) St Michael & All Angels