Rather than just the readings, this year we had some monologues from Isaiah himself - and Mary came too reciting her praise song to God. It was very moving listening to our 16 year old student and realising that was about how old Mary was when God asked her to carry his son. We had some choral speaking and a beautiful rendition of 'Mary did you know' and other haunting songs as well as the classics. There were relevant paintings on the screen and an interpretive dance at the end declaring 'Jesus is the way'. I have been to many nine lessons and carols in my time but I don't think my heart has ever worshiped as it did on Sunday. Why was that? Richard Miles and I were discussing it as he and many others felt the same. We wondered if it was because it was our first taste of Christmas for over a year; we weren't 'Christmassed out' like you are in the West at this time and the freshness and wonder of the incarnation simply hit us. Perhaps it was because there was no sermon, just God's powerful word read or recited in a variety of ways. Perhaps it was because so many of those taking part and others met for prayer and pleaded with God for His help and that He had the Glory; perhaps our hearts were in the right place, or perhaps it was the fact that our desire was that it should be an act of worship and not a performance, either way it was a beautiful experience.
Reported by: Mrs Dodds
Pictures by: Mr Pflaum
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