Carol O Come, all ye faithful (Translated from the Latin (18th century) by Frederick Oakeley 1802-1880)
O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye
To Bethlehem.
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels.
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
… Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens
Of heaven above;
Glory to God
In the highest:
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Introduction
“Come and behold him” Come and see. Take time to look, and reflect on all that Jesus is and offers. That’s the invitation in today’s carol.
In the reading from John’s Gospel there’s a promise. As we see, we trust. And as we trust, we receive. The gift God gives is love, now and eternally.
Reading (John 1:6-13)
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.
Reflection (by Bob Chilcott)
One of the great gifts of music – for both performers and listeners – is its ability to connect with and draw out our feelings and touch our innermost thoughts.
This happens as we allow the music to reach out to us, opening our hearts. It’s a wonderful gift, but like any gift, it needs to be received. Music, if we let it, touches us deeply.
Sing, choirs of angels …
Jesus Christ, like music, is a gift who needs to be received. When we pause and take time, as if listening deeply to a song, we can feel his touch on our lives.
One of the wonders of Christmas is that as we sing together, we are reminded of the gift, given to us through the birth of the baby Jesus. Through our song, we find our hearts opening to him and welcoming him.
O come, let us adore him …
Give
Is there a gift you could receive today? Might pride or fear be preventing you doing so? Your gift to someone else today might be to receive what they offer you.
Pray
God of love, in Jesus we see you as you are,
and as we see you, we love you
and find that you know us and love us.
Open our eyes and hearts to you today.
Amen.
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