Carols and Candles Letters Home For many years a carol service has been held at St Tudwal s church, Llanstadwell, on the Sunday evening before Christmas. Back in 2012 I felt it was time for something a little different from the standard Bible readings mixed with the predictable writings of John Betjeman, T S Eliot, and Dylan Thomas. The first service I created was called Mary and the Angel. Letters Home is a follow-up. A third service Then and Now followed in 2014. The Welcome and Blessing were the job of the Vicar. For continuity, I used the same reader for all the Bible readings, and the letters were read by members of the congregation. Another member was responsible for the prayers. The carols of course are entirely a matter of choice, as is the final destination of the collection, and the version of the Bible used for the readings. (I have used the NIV.) If you are lucky enough to have a choir then anthems etc can be added. As people arrive they are given a candle, a carol sheet, and an order of service. (Each candle is threaded through a small hole in the centre of a small square of card to protect hands and/or gloves from any dripping wax.) During the final carol we light the candles and dim the lights as much as possible for the reading from John s Gospel, and people are encouraged to take their candle out with them after the service to take the light of Christmas into a dark world. Please contact me if you have any queries, feedback or new ideas! Dorothy Cox. E-mail: cox@hazelbank111.fsnet.co.uk
Carols and Candles Letters Home Order of Service Welcome Isaiah Chapter 9, verses 2-7 Carol : Once in royal David s city Luke Chapter 1, verses 26-38 Gabriel s letter Carol : O little town of Bethlehem Mary s letter Luke Chapter 2, verses 1-7 Carol : On Christmas night all Christians sing The Landlady s letter Luke Chapter 2, verses 8-20 Carol : It came upon the midnight clear Benjamin s letter Prayers Carol : Angels from the realms of glory Matthew Chapter 2, verses 1-12 Melchior s letter Carol: Hark the herald angels sing Collection Joseph s letter Carol: O come all ye faithful - Lighting of candles John Chapter 1, verses 1-12 Blessing
Palestine, Tuesday evening Dear God, Well, the job s done now. It wasn t easy finding Nazareth, I can tell you. It isn t much more than a collection of mud brick houses in the middle of nowhere really. Once I got there it was easy enough to find the young girl you chose. She certainly is a lovely girl. If she was surprised to see me she didn t show it. I said everything you told me to say. To be honest I was a bit worried about how she would react. I thought it might all be a bit much, me turning up like that, out of the blue as it were. But she stayed very quiet and calm and when I was sure she d be OK I left her to think about it all for a bit. You have to admit it was a lot to take in. It won t be easy for the family you know, and especially not for poor old Joseph. Most families would call the wedding off. I had a word with Joseph, on the quiet, and told him not to worry too much, but just to go ahead with everything as planned. If it s OK with you, I think perhaps I d better stick around for a while and keep an eye on things. Joseph may well need a bit more support as the plan progresses, Kind regards, Gabriel.
Nazareth, Thursday afternoon. My Dear Elizabeth, Thank you so much for having me to stay with you and Zechariah. It was lovely to spend time with you both, and especially to see you looking so well, Elizabeth. The peace and quiet of your house has left me feeling much better now. It is very difficult here sometimes. As you know, I don t think the family are convinced we are doing the right thing. Joseph is very supportive though and that s the main thing. My journey home wasn t too bad, all things considered, but it seems I shall soon be setting off again. Joseph tells me that the Governor has ordered a census so we have to go to his home town of Bethlehem to register. It worries me a little that we will be away from home when the baby is due, but I am sure it will all work out for the best. I hope everything goes well for you, when the time comes. I look forward to hearing from you soon, with good news! Joseph sends his regards, Much love to you both, Mary
Salutation Inn, Bethlehem. Friday night. Dear Thomas, I am sorry not to have written to you for such a long time but we have been rushed off our feet here for the last few weeks. Your Father says he can t remember when we have been fully booked for so long. Thankfully it is a bit quieter now. Full to bursting every night, we were, and everyone wanting a meal, and no one prepared to wait you know what it s like. It s this census thing the Governor wants. Everyone has to register in their home town. As your Dad was born here we didn t have far to go, but people have been coming from far and wide. All the inns have been busy; not just us. I ve lost count of the number coming through here. It was a full time job just coping with the laundry! One couple in particular stuck in my mind. It was very late when they arrived, dark and bitterly cold. We were already full, but you know your Dad always been a sucker for a pretty face, and he just couldn t turn them away. They were exhausted, the pair of them, and she was pregnant, about to give birth, he reckoned, so he let them have the stable round at the back. He was a bit embarrassed because it isn t much, as you know, but they were that grateful. And do you know? In the middle of the night that baby was born. I was so relieved we didn t turn them away. I dread to think what might have happened if we had. Your Dad says I m silly, but I told him, there s something special about that baby and his Mother, young scrap of a thing that she is. You mark my words, we ll be sure to hear more of him. Must go now, it is almost opening time. I ll tell you more when you next get home on leave. Make sure you wrap up warm these cold nights. Your Dad sends his best, Love, Mother.
Hills above Bethlehem, Sunday Dear Dan, Do you remember when Dad said he wanted me to bring the sheep up on to the hills this year? I told him I didn t want ever want to be a shepherd and why couldn t you go instead? Well, I m so glad he put his foot down. I ve changed my mind. I ll take over the flock completely now if Dad wants to retire. I had no idea it would be like this. I love it during the day when there s just me and the sheep, but I think I like the night times even more. We all come together for safety and company. We pen the sheep, build a fire and share our food. Mum s tray bakes go down a treat. Do you think you could ask her to make some more for you to bring next time you come up with the supplies? Tuesday night last week started just the same as usual. To tell you the truth I was almost asleep when suddenly the whole sky lit up and there were angels all over the place, loads of them. I know what you re thinking, but honestly, there really were. You know that bit from the scriptures that s read out sometimes in the Synagogue? Well, the angel told us that it was all going on, right there and then, in Bethlehem! When they d gone I thought perhaps I d been dreaming, but we all saw them, every one of us, even Old Tom who s 85 if he s a day so it must have happened. We talked about it for ages and then decided to go and have a look for ourselves. I suppose we shouldn t have left the sheep really, but somehow we knew they d be all right. We made sure the pen was OK and stoked the fire. We found the baby just like the angel said. It was wonderful, just so special. They were all in a tatty old stable at the back of the pub but that didn t matter. I can t really describe how it made me feel, it was all just too big for words. When you come up next I ll tell you all about it. Give my love to Mum and Dad and don t forget the tray bakes, Love, Benjamin.
Palestine, Wednesday Dear Rustam, We are just about done here now. We are all packed up and ready, and plan to set off on the return journey tomorrow, if the weather is favourable. We are all well. Bathazar has had a few tummy troubles but nothing serious. Caspar s leg has played up now and again, especially after long days in the saddle but he is rested now and anxious to start for home. The new star led us here to Palestine. It was a miserable journey and took a lot longer than we expected. We contacted the palace first as we assumed they would know all about it. We asked if we could pay our respects to the new king, according to the usual customs. They covered it up well but we suspected it was the first they d heard about it. They obviously don t study the stars in the same way as we do, so they don t understand how these things work. Balthazar thought there might be a gap in the market. He suggested that perhaps we should set up a branch of the business here. In the end we were told words to the effect, You find the baby, report back us about it and then we can pay our respects too. All very strange, I can tell you. Anyway, we reverted to the original plan. The star took us to Bethlehem and we found the baby in somewhat odd circumstances; in a tatty shed at the back of the village pub of all places. However, there was no mistaking the place and one look at the baby told us all we needed to know. We paid our respects, handed over the gifts and left them to it. It may take us a bit longer to get home as we are going to take a different, longer route. We decided that we wouldn t go back to Herod as we all have a gut feeling that somehow he means the child harm. I am sorry if this means that you will be holding the fort in the office for another three weeks or so. We are all three of us grateful to you keeping things ticking over until we get back, Give our respects to Golshan and the girls, Melchior.
Cairo, Monday evening. My Dear Brother, I am so sorry that I haven t been in touch for such a long time. An awful lot has happened since we left Nazareth to go to Bethlehem. When we got there we had terrible trouble finding somewhere to stay and ended up in a stable at the back of the pub. The baby chose to come that night too! What timing! Everyone was very kind. All kinds of people we didn t even know came to visit and gave us presents. Mary was marvellous of course, and Jesus, that s what we have called him, is such a good baby. No trouble at all. Anyway, we got wind of the dreadful order sent out by Herod that all boys under three were to be killed. He seems to have got the idea into his head that his power will be threatened by one of them. The man must be mad. We decided to take no chances with Jesus, and made the long journey over here to Egypt. We are going to stay until there has been a change at the top as they say, and either Herod dies or he is replaced. We are not going to stay in any one place for any length of time just to make sure we can t be found. Please tell everyone, and Mary s family too, that the three of us are well and happy. Mary is a great mother and the baby is growing well. We will come back as soon as it is safe again. We have made many friends who will keep us safe for as long as we need. I can find work here; carpentry skills are in demand wherever we go. It is a good trade to be in, but all three of us are looking forward to the day when we can return to Nazareth and see you all again, Your loving brother, Joseph.
Isaiah 9, 2 7. The Coming of the Messiah is Foretold The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
The Birth of Jesus Foretold. Luke 1, 26 38 In the sixth month of Elizabeth s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end. How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail. I am the Lord s servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her.
The birth of Jesus. Luke 2, 1-7 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The Shepherds Visit. Luke 2, 8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The Magi Visit the Messiah. Matthew 2, 1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
The Word became flesh John 1, 1-12 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.