Words from Bede Circuit

Dear All,

Over the past weekend my husband and I have been visiting London.  On Sunday morning we decided to attend the Carol Service at All Soul’s Langham Place.  It followed a traditional format, with an orchestral backing the singing was great and the atmosphere just as it should be.  Among those playing in the orchestra was one very small boy, no more than 5 or 6 years old, playing a violin, he was a picture of studied concentration from beginning to end and clearly so very proud to take his place in that orchestra and offer his gift at the Christ child.  A short address was punchy, to the point and excellently communicated.  Afterwards everyone was invited to participate in a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine on the steps of the church, overlooking Regent Street at it’s busiest, several London buses in our field of vision at any one time and traffic weaving it’s way down the thoroughfare.  Were Christ to come into our world today it would be into such a world as this.  Everyone intent on Christmas Shopping or Christmas preparations of one sort or another.

In the evening we enjoyed a very different, yet equally spiritual experience.  Christmas at Kew presents a wonderful opportunity to ‘commune with nature’ and enjoy different interpretations of the Christmas season where creative minds have illuminated in a very powerful way the trees and fauna  of the area, the chance to walk through a magnificent arch of twinkling golden light, entitled ‘The Cathedral’ or to allow our minds to wander as we looked on a display entitled ‘Freedom to Fly’  It is an event for everyone, children and adults alike mesmerized by highly skilled lighting effects with a backing of Christmas music. All of which was made possible by LED lights.  It takes the better part of two hours to follow the carefully mapped out trail and it really is a powerful reminder that Jesus, the light of the world, is already in our midst.  

As we continue the journey through Advent may you too experience God’s presence with you and even in the bustle of Christmas present hear his still small voice enabling you to experience for yourself the hope, the joy and the peace of this very special season, that nothing can dispel.

Peace be with you this Christmas tide.

Shalom,

Rev Judith Oldroyd
On behalf of the Bede Circuit Staff Team

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