CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT: 'This was God’s house and God’s people – I was safe'
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Last Thursday I was with my wife Lorna at a charity carol service at Westminster Abbey, writes John Dempster.
It was organised by the Prince and Princess of Wales who invited people who have made a difference in their local communities. Lorna was representing Blythswood Care’s Highland Foodbank, of which she’s the manager.
The theme of the service was Together at Christmas: it was dedicated to the memory of Queen Elizabeth, and celebrated her ‘strongly held values of duty, compassion and faith’. King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were also there, although I couldn’t see them from where we were sitting.
There were carols, performances from the choir and various celebrities, plus a Bible reading. Prince William read from Queen Elizabeth’s 2012 Christmas message. There was a poem, chosen by the King, emphasising that Jesus is not ‘cosy in crib beside the font’ but is accompanying those who are refugees, those who suffer through our lack of togetherness.
It reminded me that for all our talk of ‘together at Christmas’, our nation, our world is sadly divided both economically and ideologically.
READ MORE: CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT: Hope springs eternal that what is broken can mend
That night I was not entirely ‘together’ myself. Outside my comfort zone, I was very anxious. I entrusted myself to God, but felt nothing of God. I struggled to think positively, to breathe deeply.
During the service, a whisper from God reached me. As I saw the ancient walls of the abbey around me, I knew for a certainty that God’s protection surrounded me as surely as those old stones had sheltered God’s people down the generations. This was God’s house. I was safe here – the peace of this thought carried me for the rest of the evening.
There was a short sermon from David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster. He spoke of how in her Christmas broadcasts, Queen Elizabeth always found words to say at times of personal and national challenge.
God, says the Dean, finds a word to speak into our brokenness. Talk is easy, but Jesus Christ, the Word of God is active, life-changing.
But merely hearing words is not enough. We gathered round the nativity scene in the nave of the abbey, standing with the visitors to the stable, shepherds and kings, representatives of rich and poor, captivated by the infant king. It is as we look, and worship that we are changed, becoming not ‘them and us’ but ‘together’.
We were given candles. During the service, each of us lit the flame of the person next to us until all received light, shared light, shone together. And this moved me. These were God’s people. I was safe there.
But how sad if the king we need more than anything else is in the building, and we know it not.
n John has written Christian Viewpoint for the Highland News since 1993 and now joins the Courier.
