Sermons And Gubbins

This sermon was preached at our Evensong service on Sunday 15th October. The New Testament reading was 1 John 3:1-15 . Every Sunday, we start our Evensong service with one of a number of set sentences. I must be honest, sometimes I pick the sentence based on a whim or a gut feeling; sometimes I look through and try to find one that is appropriate for the tone of the rest of the service and the sermon, and sometimes, I completely forget until the time comes to read one out, and I just pick the first one my eyes hit upon – nobody tell Huw, ok?! This evening, however, picking the appropriate sentence was what is known as a ‘no-brainer’. Very little decision had to go into choosing the right introduction for tonight. It was the only sentence with which I could start this evening’s service. I’ll repeat it now: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse ...

There are so many carols I look forward to singing as we approach Christmas. In Advent, I love O Come, O Come Emmanuel , with its sense of longing and expectation, and during the Christmas period itself, I adore the poetry of It Came Upon the Midnight Clear , and the combination of music and lyrics of O Holy Night never fails to lift my mind toward heaven and the wonder of the incarnation. There’s one carol, though, that, if I never sung nor heard again, I would, much like its protagonist, not be shedding any tears. I hate, with a passion unbecoming to this season of goodwill, Away in a Manger . There. I’ve said it. I’m sorry if it’s your favourite carol. If it is, you might want to stop reading here so I don’t spoil it for you permanently. Close the internet window and write me off as a grumpy little man… A nativity scene, to give you a pause so you can close the page without reading the rest of the blog. Still with me? Great! Let me elaborate then! I do actually hav...