Yesterday at the Community Cafe Carol Service we were singing our way through the carol sheet. Asked for a favourite the pre-school contingent demanded 'Jingle Bells' - as antidote to the sacred stuff!
Yes Jingle Bells lacks theological gravitas; yes Santa Claus and Jesus get a bit mixed up when you're four years old. But Advent is about surprise, expectation, excitement, and gifts. Because love really did come down at Christmas, we give presents celebrating God's presence here, now.
There is an adult seriousness that shouldn't be allowed to get in the way of believing in this God of inconvenient surprises!
At our cafe style service on the 1st Sunday in Advent, following the closing prayer, the worship band struck up with Jingle Bells. I confess that at first I held my breath - but as the very competent musicians galloped through all 4 of the verses, the congregation joined in each chorus with gusto, and we finished with applause and cheering. It was amazing! Christmas joy indeed
Posted by: Angela Almond | December 21, 2019 at 09:42 AM