What a joy it was to sing together at our Carols services over the weekend - and to see so many visitors join us as we proclaimed our joy at Jesus' coming!
Huge shout out to all the hard work put in behind the scenes to bring these two beautiful services to life - everything from arranging, rehearsing, planning, buying extra sound cables, hauling stages, precariously hanging bunting, baking gingerbread, to staying late to vacuum and more. It was a privilege to see so many people serving with humility and joy to make a big deal of something so worth celebrating.
Do you have a favourite Christmas carol?
I've had them playing in preparation for the various Christmas services since at least October - and I love discovering new versions and new Christmas worship songs (check out Porter's Gate 'Advent Songs', Paul Zach's 'Christmas Hymns' and some of Forrest Frank's new Christmas album)
O Holy Night often comes up as people's favourite, or Joy to the World (of course!)
But I can never go past 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel'. I love playing and singing it, but most of all I love that it captures that duality we often feel at Christmas so beautifully.
Our lives fill up with feasting and festivity, bright lights and movie nights. Celebrations, farewells, transitions and remembrances can have us feeling all the feels.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cause thy light on us to rise;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight
We light up the night-time because 'the true light that brings life has come into the world!' (John 1:9). And yet - when will the darkness fully be dispelled?
My heart breaks this week with the news that 16 people were killed, and 40 more injured in a horrifying attack on Bondi beach this past weekend.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Wars continue to rage. People are starved and displaced. Rulers commit atrocities and fail to be held to account.
O Come, Thou King of nations bring
An end to all our suffering
Bid every pain and sorrow cease
And reign now as our Prince of Peace
I love that Christmas - that Jesus - holds space for all of this. The heights of joy and adoration and celebration, and the depths of aching for the world to be at peace. I suppose ultimately it holds space for hope.
'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.' (John 1:5)
Yes, we're still waiting. Still longing. But we have this promise, gift-wrapped in swaddling-cloths. The darkness will not overcome.
Rejoice! Rejoice
Emmanuel shall come again with us to dwell.
'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.' (Rev 21:4-5).
Merry Christmas,
Claire.
eNews - 19th December 2025