Carols for the Christ Child

Opening Announcement: BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Sunday Worship today, the fourth Sunday in Advent, comes from Northern Ireland and begins with the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast singing “Adam *lay y bounden”

Script of Programme:

Please note: This script may not exactly reflect the transmission. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors.

MUSIC 1 Adam lay ybounden    (Boris Ord)

Jenny Lendrum:   Good morning .I’m Jenny Lendrum the Principal of Methodist College here in Belfast. On behalf of the whole school community a warm welcome to you to this Sunday Worship the Sunday before Christmas.

Established over 150 years ago by the Methodist Church, our two thousand pupils now come from a range of Christian denominations, from several faiths and some have no faith background. Se we’re a fairly diverse community.

And our hope is that the young women and men who leave Methody- the usual name- will make a significant contribution to their particular discipline or area of expertise

With me this morning is our preacher, the Rev Dr John Alderdice, the President of the Irish Methodist Church the Chapel Choir, along with pupils and staff members and the College chaplain Rev Emily Hyland who leads today’s service.

MUSIC 2 Angels from the Realms of Glory (French carol melody arr. Jacques )

Rev Emily Hyland:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
 on them light has shined.

Let us pray:

We praise and worship you O Lord

For all your goodness and your grace
For leading and caring for your people in all generations
speaking to them
in the words of prophet and wise man; evangelist and apostle,
but supremely through Your Son- the Word made flesh
in Jesus Christ dwelling among us.

We bless you that who was rich beyond words
became poor for our sake
Thet the maker of all things came among us
as a helpless vulnerable child
taking on our humanity

Living for us, dying for us and rising  again
that out sins might Be forgiven
and we might live as daughters and sons of the Living God.
We praise You and sing carols to the Christ Child.

We sing carols- but  often simply out of habit
without thinking too much about their words

That have become so familiar
We can fail to be moved by the truths they are telling.

We have often disregarded your guidance preferring to walk in our own ways
ignoring the light Jesus gives
and so we stumble on in the darkness- lost and confused

We confess that we have often failed to be light to the world and have not shown that love which sisters and brothers ought to show.

We are so beset at this time of year with busy-ness that seems endless
buying, cooking, preparing and partying
that we have little time or inclination to understand
and celebrate your coming to us in the Child

Lord, we admit these and our many other faults and ask for your forgiveness for all who confess their sins in Jesus’ name

We dare to ask this because of your mercy, grace and love shown in Jesus Christ our Saviour.

God our redeemer,
you prepared the Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
Grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
And these and all our prayers we offer in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, be glory and praise for ever.  AMEN

Music:   Unto Us a Boy is Born     Piae Cantiones 1582  (arr. G Shaw)

Reader: A reading from the 60th chapter of the Book of the prophet Isiaih

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. 9For the coastlands shall wait for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from far away, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you.

Music  E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come        (Paul Manz )

Reader:   A reading from the first Chapter of the Gospel according to St John

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Music:  Of the Father’s Love Begotten  Piae Cantiones 1582  (arr. Trevor Manor)

Rev Dr John Alderdice

There is something about singing carols for the Christ Child. Many people who might never at any other time of the year sing a hymn really enjoy taking part in carol singing. And different traditions have developed in different parts of the world. We’ve experienced some of that n this Advent series on Sunday Worship- but I have to confess that my favourite carol is one of the best known.

‘Hark the Herald angels sing’.. it’s not the fact that Charles  Wesley was the main author; it’s not even Mendelssohn’s very singable tune, it’s the clear message of the work of God in the world that the words convey.

And the line I want to pick out… ‘Light and Life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings’

This resonates for me with verse 5 from John 1… ‘The light shines in the darkness…’ 

Unlike Matthew’s or Lukes, John’s gospel does not offer us a chronological account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, but instead draws a multi layered picture of the incarnation…

God taking on human flesh… God’s decisive intervention in human history. 

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world…

The author John describes Jesus as the Word the (logos) who brings light into the world.

Later in the gospel Jesus says … “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

In the Christian faith Jesus brings us…  hope, grace, truth and love. It is the light of Jesus that exposes brokenness and sin in this world, but also shows us the nature and character of God.

As we glance at our news feeds, I think we could be forgiven for feeling like the world is in a dark place. 

Wars in the middle east, in Europe and in Africa… where the innocent suffer the most.

Political turmoil…
Economic uncertainty…
Social adversity and conflict…
Worries over our healthcare and education systems…
Concerns for those most vulnerable in our society… 

Then, there are the personal concerns that many of us carry around day by day. 

I am no scientist… but I am given to understand that total darkness is nearly impossible to achieve…

I know that when I wake up in the middle of the night, at first it seems to be completely dark… but then my eyes get used to the dark, my sight adapts and the light that is present begins to help me see things… 

The story of the coming of Jesus which we anticipate during advent and celebrate at Christmas is a story of light and hope coming into this dark world.

We open our eyes to see that light that is coming…

We heard earlier the words from the prophet Isaiah chapter 60… Isaiah lived in a time of uncertainty, turmoil and adversity. In a context where those who were in most in need suffered disproportionately.

The passage anticipates the coming of the Lord, the light which comes to a dark world, and to which we are drawn. It was a picture of hope for those who first heard the words and it remains a picture of hope for us today.

These are not simply concepts or nice ideas… but came to be in the person of Jesus… the living Word. the light to the world…  and the one who called those who followed him to be light and truth in this dark world.

John the author of the gospel points of course to another John in the prologue… another important character from the Christmas story… John the Baptist… another miraculous baby born to Elizabeth, the relative of Jesus’ mother Mary. 

He was not the light… but he was a witness to the light… he pointed others to the light. Later Jesus underlined this calling to his followers in Matthew 5

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The East Belfast Methodist Mission works in a very deprived art of Belfast with severe social problems. It has many projects which aim to practically support some of those most in need in the local community. The lives of many of them are far from straight forward, lonely and lacking hope. The support of the East Belfast Mission … a community that puts its light on a stand… makes a big difference showing people that they are not alone in this world and that there is hope. The Mission and many other similar organisations reflect the light of Jesus to those around them.

Now we all wish there was no need for community projects like those in East Belfast and countless other places, or that we could live without conflict or wars or pain. When things are dark we need to realise. 

‘The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.’

This is the hope that we hold on to in uncertain times. In the Christian story the ultimate victory over darkness came through the Easter story, the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. The darkness of good Friday could not withstand the light of the victory of Jesus over sin and death on Easter Sunday. That is the hope that we can have today. 

When our lives and circumstances feel heavy, when we are burdened by the news we see on our TV, or other devices… we remember the light of Jesus for us… and in remembering we hear his call to be witnesses to the light to serve the needy, to comfort those in pain… to encourage, to love, to bring light to those around us in these days. Amen

Music Advent Candle      (Bob Chilcott)

Reader: Lord you came to us as a helpless vulnerable child: may your church be constantly aware of that and take from it anything that smacks of arrogance or a desire for power that the gospel of your love and truth may always be proclaimed faithfully and gently. As your people throughout the world prepare to celebrate your coming and sing their carols may they be moved to greater love and devotion,

Reader: Lord the angels sang of peace n earth, we pray for your world and especially those parts that are scarred by violence, war and fear and for all who suffer from brutality and oppression. May your light shine in their darkness and give your strength to all who work for peace.

Reader: Lord, you came to us as a child in a family, we pray families that they may have a deepening sense of wonder as they come to know more of your great love and may they find true happiness in giving rather than receiving. Bless children everywhere, particularly those who are abused or unwanted and unloved.

Reader: Lord, at this time of great joy, we pray for those this is a difficult time
and who feel they are sitting in darkness.
People far from their families or estranged from them
or for whom this season of the year brings only sad memories
Those who are lonely or isolated, depressed or suffering from severe illness

May they be conscious of your drawing near to them and of the light your coming brings

Rev Emily Hyland:

We bless and adore you O Christ Son of God yet born of Mary
Son of God, yet our brother;
Eternal Word yet a child without speech;
Clothed in glory yet wrapped in swaddling bands;
Lord of heaven and earth, yet laid in a manger
strong in your weakness, glorious in your humility, mighty to save

And these and all our prayers we offer for your name’s sake

Our Father who art in heaven, hallow'd be thy name.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
 for Thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen

Rev Emily Hyland:

Go in peace.

The Wisdom of the Wonderful Counsellor guide you,
The Strength of the Mighty God uphold you,
The Love of the Everlasting Father enfold you
The peace of the Prince of Peace be upon you.

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, gladden your hearts and scatter the darkness from before you

And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you all this DAT and for evermore. AMEN

Music: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day     (English traditional carol John Rutter) 

Organ: Chorale Prelude on Vom Himmel Hoch  (JS Bach)     

Closing Announcement:        JS Bach’s Prelude on Vom Himmel Hoch ends today’s Sunday Worship from Methodist College Belfast which was led by the Rev Emily Hyland.  The preacher was the Reverend Doctor John Alderdice. The Chapel Choir was directed by Lynda Rolston and the accompanist was Graeme McCullough. The harpist was Tanya Houghton and the producer, Bert Tosh.

Worship over Christmas on BBC Radio 4 will include the First Mass of Christmas from Leeds Cathedral live on Christmas Eve at eleven thirty pm and on Christmas Morning at seven o’clock, we’ll be celebrating with the Salvation Army at London’s Royal Albert Hall. (And before those, on Christmas Eve at three o’clock in the afternoon you can join the Choir and congregation live in the candlelit chapel of King’s College. Cambridge for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols)