Post 46/2023. The words “happy” and “merry” are part of festive season greetings in December. As the first season of the Christian church year, Advent, in a four-week observance, anticipates the birth of Jesus by focusing on the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. Those are hearty themes in a heavy world.

An idea from Penwith Deanery

I like an idea for Advent and other December events proposed by the Penwith Deanery of the Church of England in County Cornwall, United Kingdom. From the Deanery, Sarah writes, “As is always the way, whenever busy with service and ministry it is tempting to stay solely within our own churches and benefices over the festive period, but can I encourage us all to perhaps visit just one other Church event that is outside of our own parish/benefice.”

Sarah continues, “If we all managed to do this, it would bring such joy and encouragement to those who are hosting events outside of our own areas and it will also encourage us too, just to see what is actually going on across the Deanery. . .. Take a look at the many events being promoted within our Deanery News and pick just one thing to go and visit and support–I promise, you won’t be disappointed!”

If I were across the pond this week, for sure, I would take in the Coffee Morning at St Anta Church in Carbis Bay. I’d also join the Saints Walking Group for a late afternoon stroll through the Angarrack Lights display, portraying the twelve days of Christmas, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

Then I’d choose among a raft of this week’s options: The Winter Candlelit Concert by Will Keating and special guests Harry Glasson, Rob Norman and Jack Curnow at St Pol de Leon’s Church at Paul. Or, the Christingle Service at St Erth. (The Christingle service uses a special symbol, a decorated orange (the Christingle) to explore the story of God’s love for the world at Christmas.)

Maybe I’d join the Wild Carols service at St John’s-in-the-Fields, followed by mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate. Another choice: The St Buryan Male Voice Choir at St Senara’s Church, Zennor. Or, the carol service at Gwinear Church. Or borrow a pet (or pet with owner) to go to the Carols with Animals late afternoon service at Pendeen.

It’s too late for last Saturday’s Advent Quiet Day at Pendeen Church, on “Our Advent Hope.” It was billed as “An opportunity for some quiet space, with short thoughtful addresses to prepare ourselves for the season of Advent and the Incarnation of our Lord on Christmas.” Simple soup lunch was provided.

I could opt for the Breakfast Club on the first Thursday of the month at St Buryan Church. And the Friday St Erth church’s Community Cafe held during the cold winter months, offering fellowship, refreshment and free Wi-Fi.

During the following weeks there’d be a host of other church and community family events and worship services opportunities, including Festival of Trees, Carols by Candlelight, Christmas Eve Cafe Church, Midnight Mass, and a more relaxed Christmas Day service.

That’s some of what’s happening in Penwith, an area of Cornwall also known as the Land’s End Peninsula at the south-west extremity of Cornwall. The Penwith area has 26 Church of England parishes, and churches of other faiths. The area has a population of about 64,000 and covers 120 square miles, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean.

If I could, I would be there, “home from home” for Christmas. The choices, nevertheless, are rich here, too.

On Saturday we attended the Memorial Service for Mary K Mishler, a friend of long, long standing. Mary died at age 102. She and her late husband Dorsa were dear friends at Prairie Street Mennonite Church, Elkhart. My memory is filled with the joy of working with Mary as a member of the Fellowship committee she chaired, as an elder, as a member of the PSMC 125th Anniversary committee, as a member of a small group, as a confidant and encourager. Rest In Peace, Mary.

On Sunday we attended the Festival of Carols at Goshen College. Superb! The lessons are readings from the Bible, the carols gradually explaining who Jesus is, all telling the Christmas story in stages.

On 24 December 1880, the Right Rev. Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro, Cornwall, led the first Nine Lessons and Carols service. In 1918, the Festival became part of the coral tradition of King’s College, Cambridge. The service since then has been broadcast from the chapel of King’s College every Christmas Eve. Such words, music and prayers open the portals of heaven right here on earth. Hallelujah!

At home in Indiana

A Christmas wish

Trust Mark Twain to add a spot of humor to his thought-provoking Christmas Wish, posted on the door of the telephone closet in the Mark Twain house in Hartford, Connecticut.

“It is my heart-warming and world embracing Christmas hope that all of us–the high, the low, the rich, the poor; the admired, the despised; the loved, the hated; the civilized, the savage–may eventually be gathered together in a heaven of everlasting rest, peace, and bliss … except the inventor of the telephone.”

C S Lewis

“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”

Happy and Merry days and nights of December!

-John