Say a prayer with us for the longest night of the year inspired by 'In the Bleak Midwinter'
God of light and warmth, we await your coming. We gather today at the turning of the year. The shortest day has been, the longest night...
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The world waited
The world waited Mary shouted Joseph wept Shepherds startled Angels danced Anna rejoiced Simeon prophesied Wise men searched Heaven held...
I have no appetite for politics or religion
I have no appetite For politics or religion. The first the refuge Of the power hungry The second for the desperate. I married him Because...
I stand alone as the angel
I stand alone. Alone as the angel Gives me as task Of costly obedience Which my love for God Will not make any easier. I stand alone....
The waiting seems interminable
The waiting seems interminable. I am afraid. She should not Be giving birth This far from home. What if something goes wrong? If I cannot...
It was a very ordinary night
It was a very ordinary night. Protecting the flock And domestic concerns My only thoughts. I had no idea That heaven and earth Were about...
Today advent thoughts turn to Mary
Today Advent thoughts Turn to Mary. Pregnant with Our Hope Yet surely With her own moments Of lonely despair. Hope Will be born Yet not...
You don’t argue with an angel
You don’t argue with an angel, Do you? Well, I wanted to. Of course the published version Is much shorter Than the encounter And – like...
Only a woman
Only a woman Who could not have children Would understand: The monthly (less now) rhythm Of hope and disappointment: Stares in the...
There are different kinds of waiting
There are different kinds of waiting. There is the waiting for the fall of the last leaf, Heralding the stark cold of winter With its...
Big Queer Carols, a prayer, 2017
A prayer for the Big Queer Carol Service, 2017
Intercessions for New Year’s Eve, 2017
Eternal God of each present moment, we come before you at the turning of another year with diverse emotions and tentative hope. The past...
Waiting for Christmas
God of light and hope, of stars and surprises: open our eyes to your glory and our hearts to your presence, that we may respond with joy...
A service for the longest night
A gentle service, acknowledging the presence of sorrow and seeking hope. Yesterday’s Pain In the godforsaken, obscene quicksand of life,...
The Prologue From John's Gospel
Read by The Revd Dr Simon Woodman Bloomsbury Carol Celebration 2017
Praying Patiently with Zechariah
Great God of unexpected endings, there are times when we find ourselves left speechless in wonder at the mystery of your presence. We...
A Longest Night prayer to the God of the Dawn and the Sunset
Loving God of the dawn and the sunset, we come before you this day, when night is longest and day is shortest, to offer our prayers for...
A Poem for the Longest Night
Long night ahead? Nah, just a short day. It's not the hours of darkness that bother me, but the passing of the day: 'Life's little day',...
Approaching the Surprising God of Unexpected Endings
Inspired by the wise men taking another path from Herod Surprising God of unexpected endings, we enter your presence with lives...
Awaiting the Loving God of Advent
Loving God of Advent, we await your coming. We gather in your name this morning, in expectation of encounter with you, but we know that...
Praying for our Winter World
God of Advent, in a world of chaos, you can be very hard to find. The good news of your presence can seem at best a mystery. So teach us...
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