The Best Time

Dear friends,

It is the Eve of the Christ Mass. In this time of noise, and not a little chaos, there is yet, amidst all the shouting and clamour, a still, small voice. The baby’s cry, that can reach a mother’s heart, the whisper of God on the night air. Footsteps across the hillside, a light in the distance, glory in a cattle shed. Don’t be  too busy to stop, to wonder. “How far is it to Bethlehem ? // Not very far.”  Come, do join the celebration. What can you possibly be doing that is more important, on this day of days?

Christmas Eve

4pm Christingle Service at St Peter and St Paul, Checkendon, with the children’s choir, church music group, and a Christingle to take home.

11pm Midnight Communion at St Leonard’s Woodcote.

Christmas Day

11am Christmas Celebration at St Peter and St Paul, Checkendon, with Canon Kevin Davies

Sunday 29th December

10.30am Team Service of alternative Christmas readings and carols at St Peter and St Paul, Checkendon, with Revd Romey Poston.

Last words.

This will be my final note to you of 2024. Thank you for all your kind words, and support (in so many different ways) for your churches, and the witness and worship we share. Let us celebrate the wonderful saviour with joy, in that great salvation that God brings – the light that enlightens every man, which is coming into the world. Music lovers among you may remember this beautiful version of O Come O Come Emmanuel, from the Piano Guys. As an extra bonus, for fans of Dickens, here is a reading of that great opening paragraph from the Tale of Two Cities. It is instructive to compare this with one of the most famous portions of Jewish wisdom literature, Ecclesiastes 3:1-14. In a time when knowledge of the Scriptures would have been more deeply rooted than in our own, it is possible that Dickens was building upon this known literary form to make his commentary upon the social uncertainties and strident voices of his own times. Both texts, however, still carry weight, do they not?

A very blessed Christmas to you all.

Your Rector, Canon Kevin Davies