Talks, Sermons and Reflections

Luke 03'15-17,21-22   From 1993 to 1995 Alison and myself were sent by CMS to build bridges with Orthodox believers in Russia. We lived in the Orthodox seminary in St Petersburg. One of the many treasures that we found were icons, and especially icons from what is called the festival row, depicting the main events in the life of Jesus. A link to the audio of the talk You were, I hope, given a card with the image frosdm a C16th fresco that can be found in the monastery of Dionysos on Mount Athos. The word above the man on the left holding out his hand is John (abbreviated), and the word above the man standing in the water is Jesus Christ. It is an iconic (literally) representation of the baptism (Greek word at top is He Baptesis – just to make sure that we know what it is) of Jesus. And I would like to spend a few minutes reflecting on this icon, because it gives some deep insights into how we might read the passages in Luke and other gospels, how we might reflect on our own ...

John 1:10-18 Beginning of New Year: Opportunity to revisit John 1 and look at these verses in a little more detail. The audio of the talk can be found here Two words for 2025. Glory and Grace! 1. GLORY ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth’ What is it that makes someone glorious? Is it their power, their success, their achievements? Is it being in the New Year’s honours list? Is it a remarkable victory or getting a book published or creating an acclaimed piece of art? Is it the ending of a concerto, when all the different themes are brought together in a magnificent climax, or of the fulfilment of a lifetime of effort? Is it the acclaim, the love, the awe of millions? It is very hard to define what it is to be glorious. It is one of those terms that we sort of know what it is, but we cannot really describe it.  It is about radiance, awesomeness, fulfilment, achievement, joy, love all wrap...

There is something very special about this night. It is a moment in time – filled with memory and with anticipation. An audio of the talk can be found here If this building could speak, I wonder what it would tell us of Christmas midnight communions past? Much has changed since this church was built in the C14th. For a start, there would have been no pews – you would be standing. And much of the service would have been in Latin. But as we read the Bible, it is the same story of the birth of Jesus that our ancestors heard. And as we gather at his table and share the bread and the wine, it is the presence of the same Lord Jesus who we celebrate. This night is full of memories of Christmas past and anticipation for the Christmas morning. The night is full of memories of a child born 2000 years ago, and deep longing for the future. Johny Mathis sings of a child to be born. The Christian hope is that the child has been born. “a child that would grow up and turn tears to laughter Hate to l...

I’ve been watching again the film Nativity. It is very funny, but also poignant. At one point children pour out their hearts to Santa – about what they want for Christmas. What do you really want for Christmas? Story of the three ambassadors … I think deep within many of us there is a sense that we are empty, and we long to be filled. Maybe we cry out for love, for a friend, for a particular person who we have lost and their going has left us empty; maybe we cry out for a world we have lost, for our home country; maybe we cry out for meaning, for significance, to know that we matter; maybe we cry for freedom – freedom from fear, from pain; maybe we cry out for another world, a world that we hear rumours of – that seems so close, especially at Christmas, but that is still beyond reach. Maybe we cry out because we long that there is someone out there who knows us, will hear us and listen to us and who will fill us. When Mary was told by the angel that she was going to be the mother of Je...

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory to You, our God, glory to You. O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who are in all places and fill all things,  the Treasury of Blessing and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save, O Gracious One, our souls. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us. [3 times] Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. All-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. Lord, be merciful to our sins. Master, forgive our transgressions. Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake. Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and...

Luke 3:1-6 The audio of this talk can be found here Our reading from the gospel today is a bit of a fraud! Half of it is a reading from the Old Testament. Luke quotes from Isaiah 40 verses 4-6. “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”  Luke is saying that these words, spoken by Isaiah 600 or so years earlier, are fulfilled when John the Baptist turns up in the wilderness ‘proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’. John – who we know as John the Baptist is the voice There are three things that I would like to draw from this passage this morning. 1. God is coming ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness “prepare the way for the Lord”.’ Christmas is coming. But something, someone so m...