I’m standing up in the back of a set of pews set off to one side. My tights-clad feet slip on the wood beneath me, a move which is soon going to bite me in the ass, or more specifically, split my side open and ruin the contemplative mood of silent prayer. I’m not alone. … More Heaven Touching Earth
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings; Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing: … More Hear The Angels Sing: Glory To The New-Born King!
In the beginning of the classic Christmas film Love Actually, Hugh Grant’s character says in a voiceover: Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t … More Light Actually
How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming But in this world of sin Where meek souls will receive him still The dear Christ enters in. On Christmas Day 2011, the message of the Gospel was calmly … More Hear The Angels Sing: The Dear Christ Enters In
Yet with the woes of sin and strife The world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not The love-song which they bring; O hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing. 1849: 14,000-15,000 civilians are massacred in … More Hear The Angels Sing: Two Thousand Years Of Wrong
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Advent is a special time of the year. It’s a time of waiting expectantly for what is to come; waiting to celebrate the birth of … More Hear The Angels Sing: Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come!
