DAY 24 - A REAL LIVE BABY!

Our displays reached a climax this evening, in Flat 2a where we began this ADVENTure!  And tonight, thanks to Sebastian (aged just 2 weeks and 6 days!) we were graced with a real, live baby.  What a beautiful little boy, accompanied by Mum Fiona and Gran Lynn (who kindly agreed to don a beard for the occasion, acting as Joseph).

Somehow, having baby Sebastian with us provided a new dimension to this whole ADVENTure.  After all, the aim had always been to tell out the true meaning of Christmas.   It was fitting that we should return to the garage where we began, where on Day 1 a simple candle shone in the darkness - reminding us of the words of John 1:1-4 - the light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

Thus, the Christ-child was REVEALED.   But we cannot forget the lessons of some of the other displays, especially the one that showed a sign over the Bethlehem Inn showing:  "No Room".   That reminds us that the one who was REVEALED was also REJECTED.   Again, John1 declares that Christ came to his own people, but they rejected him.   We are challenged during Advent, in this busy, modern, crowded world, to make room for Jesus Christ.  By and large, he has been crowded out and rejected.

But the same gospel message reminds us that some, at least, RECEIVED him.  And to those who believed in him was given the right to become "Children of God".  That brings all the blessings and privileges of enjoying "God with us":  

• peace with God, so that there is no distance between God and humankind;
• justification before God, so that we are cleansed and acquitted of the guilt of our wrongdoing and sin;
• access to God - the privilege of being able to talk with God through prayer;
• hope of glory - God's presence with us in the here and now, as well; as the sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life to come;
• God's love - spread throughout our changed lives through God's Holy Spirit.

We hope you have enjoyed taking this ADVENTure with us.  It has been a pleasure meeting so many new people and enjoying new company.   The good news is that, for those who RECEIVE the Christ-child, the real adventure has only just begun.  For the same Christ who was born a baby in Bethlehem promises to change our lives, our church and our community.  

Yes - the ADVENTure has only just begun!  Happy Christmas!!

May God grant us all the light of Christmas, which is faith;
The warmth of Christmas, which is purity;
The righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
The belief of Christmas, which is truth;

...And the ALL of Christmas, which is Christ himself!

DAY 23 - WE THREE KINGS

Today at the Farm Fields Scout Hut we were treated to a vivid and very beautiful scene depicting the wise men who came to the infant Christ bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Celebrating the joy of the wise men was clearly inspirational and I can certainly see the significance of gold, to honour a King, frankincense to call to mind the prayers of the saints, and myrrh reminding us that here was a baby who was born...to die.

But there was something else special about tonight.  For as we gathered in front of the Scout Hut, it was striking to observe that this had become a celebration that cut across all boundaries.  Representatives from different churches in Sanderstead has met together in front of the scout hut, with one aim in view, and that was to celebrate the coming of Christ and His reigning our lives.

It was a joy, too, to celebrate that one little family have come to all of the displays   Well done to them - they are now literally about to fly off to Iceland, but not without being awarded a prize for attending so many garages.  Well done Haruka and Makoto and the family!

DAY 22 - LOCKED OUT!

The intention tonight had been to display "The Angel Gabriel from heaven came".  All the props were ready, and once again our trusty standard lamp was prepared to be transformed into an angel.

But no-one could have imagined what happened next...   First, the garage door in Beechwood Road developed a fault which meant it could not be opened.  So "Plan B" was hurriedly dusted off, and another garage, almost opposite, was commissioned.  All should have been well, except that this door, too, developed a fault and was put out of action!

Ever resourceful, the indefatigable duo of Richard and Penny Bird immediately came up with a Plan C.  This involved setting up a display in the back of their van - and the display worked wonderfully, despite a howling gale and pouring rain!  

It wasn't quite as we had planned it, but thanks to Richard and Penny, the show continued.  What lesson can we draw from this?  Well, ultimately, God has the last word - and he never gives up!  In a way, the message was profound.  We had been locked out, not just once but twice!  And that reminds me of the reason for the season - for we are celebrating the birth of one for whom there was "no room", yet God in his grace never gave up.

DAY 21 - LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

The full breadth of God's love was revealed in tonight's display in All Saints' Drive, with the words "Love came down at Christmas" stretching from end to end of a double-width garage.

What a vivid reminder of the reason why we are doing these displays!  We are doing it to share the message of God's love for all in the sending of his Son Jesus Christ.   We began, at the start of the Advent season, with a simple display of light shining in darkness.  Tonight, the image was slightly different - it showed a word being surrounded, drenched, overwhelmed with God's love.   But the message remains the same: "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16) and if there's one verse in the Bible that explains what we are about, this is it!

We rightly tend to focus on the nativity stories in Matthew and Luke, but John 3:16 provides a most eloquent summary of the reason for our celebration and gratitude at Christmas.   More in my sermon at All Saints on Christmas morning...!

DAY 20 - CAROLS AT ALL SAINTS' CHURCH

We had a wonderful Carol Service tonight, with 260 folk singing God's praise in a candle service.   There is something truly inspirational about so many people gathering together to worship like that!

In the new porch as we arrived and left the church we were treated to a magnificent starry display, and greeted by two lanterns.  The foyer provided our "garage" for the evening.  And as you will see from the pictures, it provided a graphic reminder of the stars "singing together".   For the shepherds, that must have been an awesome, even terrifying, sight.   But the angels were singing glad tidings of great joy - which is the joy we were expressing in our carols.

I always think that the wonderful thing about carol services is that everyone can join in.  Even those who think they can't sing are able to participate - and that, in itself, reminds us of the joy of the glad tidings revealed to the shepherds.  It's good news for all, and all are welcome to join in!   That's very much our philosophy at All Saints - we are committed to extending God's welcome to all, and to grow in discipleship, service and numbers!

DAY 19 - CAROLS AT THE LYCHGATE

Tonight we took a break from garages and were joined by the All Saints choir, under the expert hand of John Jones, our Director of Music, to sing carols at the Lychgate.   There can be few more atmospheric scenes tonight in Sanderstead than the glorious singing of carols in such ancient and frankly inspiring surroundings!

DAY 18 - WISE MEN, WITH GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH

It was very much question of "follow that star" in order to find the location of tonight's garage in Sanderstead Court - although the beautiful recorded music of a Salvation Army band playing familiar Christmas carols also provided a pretty good guide!

When we arrived we were treated to an amazing display of treasures, reminding us of the gifts which wise men brought to the infant Christ.

The story of the Magi is peculiar to Matthew's gospel, although there's a similar story in the Old Testament in 1 Kings 10: 1-13 which records the visit, homage and gifts of a foreign dignitary to the Son if David, King of the Jews.  Magi are generally believed to have had their origin in the name of an ancient Persian priestly caste, but the name also came to be used for magicians and astrologers - practitioners of sophisticated science among the Gentiles in Babylonia and Palestine.  If this group originated in Babylonia, their journey was quite a long one of some 4 months duration.  They were on a journey of faith.  Interestingly, instead of following the star directly to Bethlehem, they appear to have taken a diversion bias Jerusalem and remained there for a while, stopping to ask directions of...King Herod, of all people!

We are familiar with the gifts they brought - Gold,Frankincense and  Myrrh.  Each had its own special significance, full of symbolism and prophetic meaning. Gold was only ever fit for a King, signifying royalty;  Frankincense was an expensive resin that burned in the temple at the time of prayer.  And Myrrh, another expensive resin, was used for embalming, signifying the death that Jesus would, in time, have to face.

They came, bringing their gifts to the side of the manger - precious gifts of immense value and symbolism, which provides a challenge through the ages for all of us.  What is the best we can give to Jesus?  Are we willing to bring to him the very best of everything we have, and lay it down in homage at his feet?

DAY 17 - SHEPHERD

Christmas is a time for giving and rejoicing.  But more than that, it is a time for marvelling, standing back in amazement to marvel at what God has done in sending his own son, Jesus Christ, to become one of us.

There was no notice on Twitter, no live video feed, no Sky News headline to announce his coming.  His arrival, in the form of a baby wrapped up in swaddling clothes, wasn't announced to the King, or to the important rulers of the temple.  It was simply declared to a few shepherds, whose reaction must have been one of sheer amazement.   Tonight's display conveyed a sense of that amazement.  A single shepherd, surrounded by his sheep, standing and gazing towards the  cluster of square, oriental-looking buildings that formed the little town of Bethlehem.

It was a simple scene, yet one full of meaning.  God had chosen this particular moment in time, to reveal himself in a place where nobody was expecting him to come - in a manger on the margins of the town, to a marginalised people.

Tonight, along with that shepherd, we stood in amazement.  We marvelled at what God had done.  That is what this is all about!

DAY 16 - ANGEL

Today, an angel appeared at St Mary's vicarage.  As the photograph shows, this evening's display was dominated by an angel standing before a shepherd and two sheep.  The light of the angel illuminated the entire scene.

It was an awe-inspiring scene, by any standards.  I never cease to be amazed at the way in which the first thing angels say when they speak to men and women in the Bible, is something like:  "Don't be afraid..."   Who wouldn't be terrified by the sight of an angel appearing without warning and shining in dazzling glory?  I often reflect on Zechariah, a humble priest whose job it was to serve in the temple of the Lord.  We read about him in Luke 1. One day, as the incense burned and the assembled worshippers prayed outside, Zechariah was attending to his duty when, suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared.  Poor Zechariah was startled and gripped with fear. Yet the first thing the angel said was:  "Don't be afraid...", then proceeded to announce the imminent birth of John the Baptist, who preceded Jesus Christ himself.

"Don't be afraid" sounds a strange way for an angel to begin a conversation, particularly when the sheer suddenness of the appearance of such radiant light is likely to sweep anyone off their feet.   

Yet there is a calmness and dignity about the way the angel speaks. And while the shepherds were probably gripped with terror, the angel speaks to them gently and proclaims "good news of great joy".  Suddenly, other angels joined in and sang "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those he favours!".  They don't appear to have stayed very long and disappeared as quickly as they had arrived.  As they disappeared, you can imagine how the shepherds looked at each other and determined instantly to go into the town to tell of this wonderful event.

Don't be afraid - that is a good and comforting message to many during this Advent season.   The angels proclaimed good news of peace, which overcomes fear.   There may be lots of reasons to be afraid - and some of us may be experiencing that right now.  But the message tonight is that God's perfect love overcomes fear - and that, surely, is the best possible news. 

DAY 15 - NO ROOM IN THE INN

At tonight's ADVENTure display in Ellenbridge Road, we were taken again to the Little Town of Bethlehem.  The display beautifully modelled the narrow streets and eastern-style buildings of the town, complete with a "Census Office" and a sign to "Register Here".   Opposite the office was the "Bethlehem Inn" over which a sign had been hung:  "No Room".  Adjacent to that was a stable, in which the manger scene was laid out.

Simple, yet profound.  Of course, we cannot know with certainty about the place where Jesus was born.  Was it an inn as we know it?  Quite possibly not.  The original Greek word used by Luke suggests that the reference was to a guest-room, a place of rest.   It could be that the place where Joseph and Mary sought a night's lodging was some kind of guest chamber provided by the community.   Either way, what is clear is that:  "...there was no room" and that was the message of tonight's display.

The Jewish culture of offering hospitality to strangers makes it all the more difficult to comprehend why this descendant of King David could not be accommodated with some decency and respect in David's home town!  Yet there was apparently "no room".  And the child was pretty quickly rejected by King Herod, to boot.   

But the shepherds tending their flocks welcomed him (and, yes, the Sanderstead sheep have now crossed into Ellenbridge Road!).   They "made haste" to greet him and give him the honour that no-one else would give.

In today's upwardly mobile society, most people have little - if any - room for Jesus Christ.  Yet the real message of Christmas, which we are seeking to share through these displays, is that the Christ for which the world had "no room" has ample room himself for those who believe and put their trust in him by faith.   That's a bit different from the commercial, tinsel-and-glitter festival that surrounds us this Christmas-time, isn't it?

DAY 14: SHEPHERDS...AGAIN!

I suppose it isn't a huge surprise that shepherds have featured frequently and strongly in our ADVENTure displays.  After all, they are quite central to the narrative - in Luke's account, at any rate!

Tonight's display in Norfolk Avenue showed shepherds gathering around the warm, red glow of a fire.  In the skies above the angel was hovering.  Marc Smith clearly has a gift in creating shepherds - one of them was built on a mannequin, but the other was perfectly formed without so much as a frame (built, I believe, around a chair!).

So perhaps I'm running out of things to say about shepherds and sheep.  But Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds (and formerly of Croydon) has written a wonderful piece in the latest edition of Radio Times, in which he draw attention to the fact that it was groups of people who first came to see Jesus - and presumably, that meant that they could talk about it all when they went away.  So, he says, shepherds had an encounter on the hills with choirs of angels - "no-one-on-one experience" for them, observes Bishop Nick.  His point is that shared experience is always more powerful than private browsing.

I think that is the point of what we are doing in ADVENTure - it is about shared experience.  We Christians have good news to tell.  We could keep it behind the closed doors of our garages, along with all the other stuff we keep there.  But we've chosen to throw open our doors and share the good news with friends, neighbours and local residents.  The shepherds couldn't keep the good news to themselves - they went about sharing it.  Neither can we keep it to ourselves - the good news of Emmanuel, God with Us, is something that deserves a proper airing!

DAY 13 - ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY

At All Saints' Rectory this evening, we were treated to a profoundly atmospheric display of a cluster of small houses surrounded by hills, overlooked by a bright star and attended by angels.

At first sight,  I wondered whether this was the "little town of Bethlehem" - and in a way, it was.  But we were reminded, too, that this was the place of King David's lineage - hence, the carol:  Once in Royal David's City.

It is worth doing a bit of homework tonight, and taking a look at the genealogy set out in the first chapter of Matthew's gospel.  You'll find some interesting features there:  three groups of fourteen, at the end of each of which a significant event took place;  mention of four women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba - each quite extraordinary in their own way!); and an ancestry which begins with Abraham and traces forward to Jesus.  Contrast this with the genealogy in Luke which traces Jesus' ancestry beginning with Joseph, working back as far as Adam and emphasising Christ's kingly descent!

Bethlehem was, of course, the place of King David's roots. For a people who yearned for a return from exile, this town was always going to be of momentous significance.  Here, in Bethlehem, where David had been called to be king in the first place, was born the great successor to King David, born to be king in the very same place!

Like so many carols, this one - written by Mrs Cecil Alexander in the late 1840s -  has strongly christianised the biblical narrative.  There are some points where you pause, however, and wonder whether the reality was quite as she wrote it.  For example, she writes: "And through all his wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey" - yet we can recall of one occasion when, far from doing his parents' bidding, he wandered away from his parents and was found in the temple teaching the leaders!   And whilst it is surely commendable that "Christian children all must be, mild, obedient, good as He", we should also remember that Jesus was not always meek and mild - as the money changers in the temple could surely testify!

Yes, we need child-like faith to trust in Jesus Christ -  of course we do!  But let us also remember that Jesus the King is the all-powerful Son of Almighty God and, in the closing word of this song, "He leads His children on, to the place where He is gone". 

DAY 12 - HOLLY AND IVY

Tonight's display in Wyn Collis' garage presented us with another beautiful nativity scene, but to get there we walked up a drive bedecked with holly and ivy, reminding us of the traditional folk carol that dates back to the early 1800s.

We are very familiar with holly and ivy, which have been used for Christmas decorations since the mid-fifteenth century.  Henry VIII wrote a love song "Green growth the holly" which speaks of the green hue of holly and ivy which stays even in the face of fierce winter chills.  And there is certainly something enduring about these plants.

Whilst this song may well have pagan origins, there is a pronounced Christian emphasis in the words we sing.  One version contains the words:  "Holly beareth berries, berries red enough" which some have linked to the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross.  Whether this was ever the intended meaning is hard to tell - what is perhaps more clear is that "the running of the deer"  is a reference to the custom of hunting in the forest after the long night of the Winter Solstice.  Another modern verse refers to "the playing of the merry organ" which seems like another rather ham-fisted modernisation which neither rhymes not fits the rhythm!

A slightly strange song, then, but a wonderfully festive one reminding us of the joy of the season.  And the images conjured up by the song undoubtedly have resonance as we reflect on the journey that Jesus Christ took while dwelling among us.  So, for example, the plant has sharp points which may remind us of the crown of thorns;  bitter bark may speak of Christ's death;  red berries remind us of Christ's blood;  and the white flower may speak to us of his resurrection.   Indeed, the more you think about it, the more descriptive and significant it may be!

DAY 11 - SHEPHERDS, WATCHING

Yet more sheep today - but this time they had crossed into Beechwood and miraculously expanded their numbers!  Not only that, but this time they were joined by a real live local shepherd dog who quietly crept into the display and lay among them - almost as if to keep order and prevent them from running astray.

Today's carol was: "While shepherds watch their flocks by night".  King David, of course, had been a shepherd out in the fields near Bethlehem - possibly in these self-same fields - when he was first called to be King.  But on the night of Jesus' birth, shepherds were told not to become kings, but to go and be the first to welcome the Christ-child.

So they went "with haste" to see what God was showing them, and were so amazed they couldn't help going around the town and telling everyone about the good news of the birth of Messiah.

There is a sense of that "bursting to tell out good news" that has driven us to create these lovely displays throughout Sanderstead this year.   We are doing it to tell out the good news and to proclaim the real truth about Christmas.

"And glory shone around..." is an amazing statement - almost as if heaven had opened up to reveal the glory of God, and these shepherds were being given a small preview of the awe and majesty of God. What an amazing sight that must have been!

As we journey through Advent, this season of preparation and penitence, let us pray that God will reveal Himself in all His glory.   Let God amaze you with His glory!  And create time and space to allow yourself to pour out your treasures in response to His awe and majesty this Advent-time!

DAY 10 - SHEPHERDS AND KINGS

We were given a fantastic welcome tonight at Priscilla's Tea Room where Tim and Mandy had prepared a fascinating comparison of the different narratives presented by Luke and Matthew in the gospels.

Luke frequently emphasises the care and interest that Jesus showed to outsiders, so it comes as no surprise to read his account of shepherds as the first visitors to the infant Christ.  Shepherds were often regarded as disreputable an untrustworthy - partly due to their nomadic lifestyle.  And they were certainly treated as "outsiders" - yet it was to them that the angels appeared, proclaiming "good news of great joy".   The shepherds quickly spread the account of what they had seen, and returned "glorifying and praising God".

Matthew, on the other hand, draws attention to the visit from wise men known as Magi.  These Gentile men were probably astrologers from East of Jerusalem, skilled at interpreting dreams.  They could well have travelled from Persia or Arabia.   Matthew, of course, frequently emphasises the Jewishness of Jesus, so the fact that he highlights this visit from Gentiles is significant.  In a sense, they, too, were "outsiders" and their arrival at the manger proclaimed the opening out of good news to all people.

Immediately, two carols sprang to mind:   "While shepherds watched their flocks by night...."  and "We three Kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar".

At Priscilla's tonight were reminded that both the shepherds and the wise men came to visit the Christ-child and pay their homage and worship.  And while the shepherds probably had nothing of any substance to bring by way of gifts, the wise men laid out their treasures of gold, incense and myrrh.

How often during his short life among us Jesus protected the "outsiders", the weak and the vulnerable.   For him, no-one is outside the scope of his love.  And he calls us today to follow in the same way - to speak for the oppressed, the vulnerable and the endangered and to be builders of his Kingdom in which love and grace is extended to all.  That is what we, as Christian believers, are meant to be about.  

Few people leaving Priscilla's tonight could avoid being challenged by the message in the two stories.  Despite their apparently contrasting emphases, they both affirm the inclusion of "outsiders" in God's plans and his merciful provision for our souls.   

Well done Priscilla's - they've been great supporters of our church and we are delighted with their presence in our community!  Tonight they were collecting for the charity Jigsaw4u, working to support children and young people through trauma, loss and bereavement.  You can find more about them on jigsaw4u.org.uk.  They will be having another Christmas event on Saturday - the Mini Christmas Bazaar between 11am and 3pm.  

DAY 9 - THE ANGELS' SONG: PEACE TO EARTH, GOODWILL TO ALL

The approach to tonight's garage in Ridge Langley was dominated by a stunning display of angels surrounding the earth.

The theme, of course, was drawn from the famous carol:

"It came upon a midnight clear
that glorious song of old.
From angels ending near the earth,
to touch their harps of gold.
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
from heaven's all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing"

This account is taken from Luke's gospel (3: 13, 14) where "a great company of the heavenly host" appeared with the angel who had brought the good news to the shepherds.  What an amazing sight for those poor shepherds, to be able to gaze into heaven itself and catch a glimpse of angels praising God!   

And what a world-changing message they sang!   Their message was two-fold - the glory of God and the peace of His people.  It seems to me that those two phrases summarise the whole reason for God's intervention into humanity.  Even as far back as the Old Testament prophets, the message was the same - so Isaiah, for example,  spoke of the glory of God, but also looked for a day when peace would reign among the people. 

Often described as "God's messengers", angels are remarkable, benevolent celestial beings, which God often uses to surround us, protect us and guide.  Of course, we cannot necessarily expect angels to fit our design expectations or personal habits.   An angel is far more likely to appear to you in the guise of a perfectly ordinary person than with huge white wings and a harp!  

Allow yourself to gaze in wonderment at this sight!  Take it in!  And join with them as they sing their praises and worship to Jesus, announcing news of His birth and declaring that the world can never be the same again!   Rejoice with them, for God's salvation has come!

DAY 8 - AWAY IN A MANGER

Tonight's carol: "Away in a manger" was once known as "Luther's Cradle Hymn" but the association with Martin Luther is somewhat uncertain.   It is, however, a beautiful children's hymn that helps us see beyond the glitter of the Christmas season and teaches us the true significance of Christ's birth.

Millions of us will sing this carol this Christmas, and will have in our minds the shallow trough used by cattle or horses to eat from in a stable into which the baby Jesus was carefully laid.  In the absence of a comfortable cradle, that wooden framework served as a cot for the infant Christ - hence the line "no crib for a bed.

It is, of course, a poem describing a scene which may or may not be accurate.  But the display we witnessed at Days Acre tonight reminded us of the beauty and simplicity of the nativity.  You don't need to analyse every line to sense the power of this ostensibly simple narrative.   Yet one's imagination could run riot - for example, imagine the conversation between the innkeeper and his family at breakfast the next morning.  I wonder what comment was passed about the pregnant woman arriving on the back of a donkey the previous evening.   

Or perhaps nobody noticed at all.  After all, this was an incredibly busy and exciting time for everyone in Bethlehem.  So the fact that God had entered the world as a baby went largely unnoticed...except by some early shepherds.

The first Christmas began in a manger.  Divinity had arrived.  If you have noticed God's arrival, you, too, might sing "I love Thee, Lord Jesus...I ask Thee to stay close by me forever..." as an expression of your love for Him this Christmastime.

DAY 7 - SEE HIM LYING ON A BED OF STRAW

On arriving at Glebe Hyrst tonight, we were greeted by a family of joyful penguins (- not real ones!) declaring:

"Fun to celebrate each year, but remember, one wouldn't have a party without the person whose birthday it is - so search for the bright star to find the answer and then you can celebrate for a lifetime!"

So search we did!  And in a beautiful red gift box just alongside a crib scene we found these instructions:  "OPEN to discover the best present ever!"   As we carefully removed the lid, we found a beautiful heart shape wrapped in tiny red paper with this message lying on top:  "The true gift of Christmas is GOD'S LOVE:  Love one another as I have loved you.  John 13:34"

Today's theme was the Calypso Carol - a contemporary carol written by Michael Perry in 1964:   "See him lying on a bed of straw, draughty stable with an open door;  Mary cradling the babe she bore; The Prince of Glory is His name".

In the words of the last verse of that carol, the message of this song "brings God's glory to the heart of man".  The baby we celebrate in the cradle was none other than "The Prince of Glory".   The real message of Christmas is now beginning to shine through:  "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..."  (John 3:16).

That is what we are celebrating through these live Advent displays - for Christmas reveals the heart of our God, who longs for us to comer to know Him through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Emmanuel:  God with us!

DAY 6 - O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

"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."


The words of this lovely Advent carol rang out from Richard and Penny Bird's garage this evening, reminding us of the eager anticipation with which the coming of the Messiah had been expected.  Translated from the Latin "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel" this is one of our older carols, with the text dating back to the early 1700s.  The carol rejoices in the coming of "Emmanuel", a reference to Isaiah 7:14 ("Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel") - and as Matthew 1:23 records, this name means "God with us".

For a people yearning for restoration from captivity, this hope kept them going - looking forward to Christ, the true King who would sit on the throne of their ancestor David, before whom all other rulers would fall silent.  The Old Testament prophet Haggai refers to the coming of the "desire of nations" (Haggai 2:7).

So today, we were invited to reflect on the many names given to Jesus in Scripture:   Christ, Son of God, King of Kings, Saviour of the World, Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, The First and the Last (Alpha and Omega), Light of the World, Son of David, The Word, Son of Man...and, of course, Emmanuel - God with us.

During this period of preparation and penitence, let us rejoice that God came to be with us in the form of a baby, laid in a manger - who was, indeed, great David's greater Son!   There is nothing more comforting to know that - especially if we feel alone, or far from God this Advent-time.   May the comfort and joy of Emmanuel fill our hearts and our lives!   

DAY 5: THE HOLLY AND THE IVY

Tonight's ADVENTure celebrated God's gift in creation, using "Holly and Ivy", traditional winter plants with a strong association with Christmas.

Our hosts, Mike and Anne, love their garden.  So they used as many objects as possible from their own garden.  The pictures show a huge, magnificent wreath of Holly and Ivy.  Anne's own words describe the features of this display:

• "the Christmas wreath, made from garden bamboo canes shaped into the Star of David, to represent Jesus' Jewish nationality;
• visual and audio images representing the chorus of the carol;
• oil burners scented with pine - to remind us of creation in our winter where the pine is evergreen;
• pots of daffodils yet to sprout - to represent winter dormancy;
• water feature - with the sound of running water as a reminder of nature;
• Palms - a taste of the Holy Land with its many palms - formed in a path as we remember the journey of Mary and Joseph towards Bethlehem;
• Star of Bethlehem - to help you know where the Advent garage is:  also to remember the star above the stable where Jesus was born;
• Candles - so that you can see the path;
• Drinks and nibbles - as a gesture of hospitality, especially at Christmas!"

Mike and Anne also explained the background to this lovely carol and how, over the centuries, despite its pagan origins, it came to describe how Mary gave birth to the "sweet Jesus Christ".

Amazing, isn't it, how God uses common and simple things like Holly and Ivy to remind us of His grace and love in bringing Jesus Christ to dwell among us and provide us with a way back to His goodness!

DAY 4: SILENT NIGHT

This evening at Cedar Court we were treated to a scene showing the animals surrounding the manger.  Luke's gospel records that "there were shepherds living out on the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night".

The well-known carol "Silent Night" was penned in 1818 by Josef Mohr, a young Austrian priest, after he had been looking down on the peaceful, snow-covered village of Oberndorf near Salzburg where a nativity play had just been acted out.   Mohr's carol is a meditation on the night when the angels announced the birth of the long-awaited Messiah to shepherds on a hillside outside Bethlehem.  The song was put to a melody played originally by guitar and composed in just a matter of hours.   

"Stille nacht! Heilige Nacht!".  Fifty years went by before it was translated into English and today it has become probably the most popular and most universally recognised Carol, with the words sung in over 300 different languages around the world. 

In this quiet and reflective carol we are invited to meditate on the scene ourselves - eventually reaching the climax as the truth that changes everything is revealed:  "Christ the Saviour is born!"  

Small wonder that "shepherds quake at the sight" and "heavenly hosts sing Allelujah".   Perhaps our response ought to be to sing "Allelujah" along with them!

DAY 3: OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Tonight's display was shown in the porch at the Methodist Church, Sanderstead - a depiction of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" using four beautifully quilted banners.

O Little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to men on earth

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.

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

Bethlehem was the place from which David, a simple shepherd in the fields around the town, was called to be King.  When Joseph and Mary arrived from Nazareth to be counted in the census, the town was buzzing with activity.  The only available space was alongside the animals, and there it was that Jesus was born, then wrapped in swaddling bands and laid in the animal feeding trough.  Its a far cry from a royal palace, with servants in attendance, and everything spotlessly clean and tidy.  Yet the amazing thing is that this was Christ, the King - the Son of God coming to dwell with us!

In an age of upward mobility, it's hard to grasp the reality of this - yet God surprises us by sending a King who identifies with the poor and outcast, the disadvantaged and the marginalised.  We often say "He laid aside his majesty" - indeed, St Paul wrote these words:

"He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant...he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!  God has exalted him to the highest place...at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."  (Philippians 2:6-12)  

So in this carol, we invite Christ to "be born in us today".   I wonder, if Christ really were King in our lives today, what might be different?

DAY 2: 2ND DECEMBER - A STARRY NIGHT

Tonight's theme was "stars".  We were reminded of the lovely carol by John Rutter:

Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem, 

Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies;
Bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle, 

Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

See his star shining bright
In the sky this Christmas Night!
Follow me joyfully;
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

Angels bright, come from heaven's highest glory,
Bear the news with its message of good cheer:

‘Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us, 

Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!’ 

See his star...

See, he lies in his mother's tender keeping;

Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep.

Shepherd poor, come to worship and adore him,

Offer their humble gifts before the son of Mary. 

See his star...

Let us all pay our homage at the manger,
Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas Night;
Christ is come, bringing promise of salvation;
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

During Advent, we come in reverence and adoration before the King of all the world.  A King born, not in a royal palace attended by servants, but in a manger attended by poor shepherds who knelt in His presence. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, as we look at these images and displays, we catch a vision of the great thing God did that first Christmas, bringing "promise of salvation" for humankind. 

As if to reinforce the calm, quiet beauty of that first Christmas, we also played David Chilcott's "Shepherds Carol":

We stood on the hills, Lady, 

Our day’s work done, 

Watching the frosted meadows 

That winter had won.

The evening was calm, Lady
The air so still,

Silence more lovely than music 

Folded the hill.

There was a star, Lady,
Shone in the night, 

Larger than Venus it was 

And bright, so bright.

Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady.

It seemed to us then
Telling of God being born
In the world of men.

And so we have come, Lady,

Our day’s work done,
Our love, our hopes, ourselves, 

We give to your son. 

DAY ONE: 1ST DECEMBER 2015 - LIGHT SHINING IN DARKNESS

It's that time of year again! Yes, Advent has arrived -  the season when we mark with expectant anticipation the celebration of the birth of the Saviour Jesus.  It is a time of joy, but also of penitence when we ask God to help us prepare for the celebration to come. 

This year in Sanderstead we are going to celebrate the season by opening a giant-sized, live Advent calendar.   On each day between 6pm and 7pm from Tuesday 1st December up to Christmas Eve on the 24th we will open one garage, porch or shop front somewhere in Sanderstead to reveal a special Christmas display.  

You can find details of each location on the website http://www.sandersteadadvent-ure.co.uk/

Today’s display is very simple - a single candle shining against a dark background.  This reminds us of John 1:5:   “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it”.   Jesus came to shine God’s light into our dark world, bringing love, joy and peace.

"Like a candle flame

Flickering small in our darkness

Uncreated light

Shines through infant eyes

God is with us, allelujah
God is with us, allelujah
Come to save us, allelujah
Come to save us
Allelujah!

Stars and angels sing
Yet the earth sleeps in shadows
Can this tiny spark
Set a world on fire?

Yet this light shall shine
From our lives, Spirit blazing
As we touch the flame
Of his holy fire.

Graham Kendrick
Copyright 1988 Make Way Music
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk
(4850 CCL)

We hope these displays help you think about the real meaning of Christmas.  It isn't just about all you can eat or all the presents you acquire.  Rather, it's about recognising that, in Jesus, God came to be "with us" as one of us - so we need to be ready to receive him.