Hello Maggie,
Christmas is loud, isn’t it? So much expectation. So many voices. Telling us how to celebrate, what to wear, what to eat and drink, what to watch and what to buy.
Instead, this Christmas we’re inviting everyone to hush the noise. To listen for the love song that the angels bring, this and every year. They sang it for the first time more than 2,000 years ago, on the midnight clear. They’re just waiting for us to join in.
Together, let’s send back the song this Christmas.
Each week throughout Advent, you'll receive an email from the Methodist Church on a Monday, filled with thoughts and activities to help you Hush the Noise and join in the eternal song. These resources include suggestions for individual reflection, as well as ideas and inspiration for those involved in church communities during this busy season.
Join in the song
We’re thrilled to share our modern take on the classic carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, one of two new arrangements of carols we’re releasing this year. This new arrangment is simply called Hark!
Keep an eye out for our second single, A Midnight Clear dropping on 6 December. If you use social media, consider sharing your favourite part of the carol along with your thoughts!
Bible study
Every Monday, there will be a new video from Tim Baker and his special guests discussing the Gospel passage for the upcoming Sunday. This week, Luke 21:25-36 presents Jesus addressing the stresses and worries of life, using the metaphor of roaring waves:
“On the earth, distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.”
The good news is that you can hush the noise and reconnect with love and peace.
Questions to ponder
- The concept of a ‘stress bucket’ helps us understand mental health well-being. What is currently pouring into your bucket, and how can you make the drain holes bigger?
- Where do you go to find peace and quiet?
- Christians who practice silence as a spiritual discipline often refer to the “monkey mind” – those distracting thoughts that are hard to quiet. What helps you silence those thoughts for a few moments?
Craft activity
Each week, we will also send you a Blue Peter-style craft video for some fun, whether on your own or in a group. This week, Andy creates a Jelly Baby wave machine! We’d love to see your versions of this craft, so please take a photo and share it on social media, tagging the Methodist Church so we can see your creations.
A prayer of blessing
The angels are still singing.
Hush the noise, hear them sing, repeat the song.
And the blessing of God,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be yours/ours, now and always. Amen.
