Last Saturday I had the joy of doing five ‘shoppers’ carol services at Bath Abbey. The Abbey is situated in the heart of our city. Shoppers’ carols are put on when the Christmas Market is open. For three weekends, we fling wide our doors and invite shoppers in for a snappy 20-minute service; three carols, a Christmas talk, some prayers and a blessing. It is a popular event.
Last Saturday was the first of this year. Everything was ready and the welcome team waited in anticipation for the start – wondering how many people would turn up. As the big West doors opened, we were overwhelmed by the flood of people who came in - 500. Over the five services, we saw around 2,700 people. It was fantastic. The mood of the shoppers was interesting. They were glad to come in and sit down for a rest. They looked weary. One person described the crowded square outside as ‘carnage’.
I asked how the Christmas shopping was going and reflected on the difficulty of buying presents. All the questions that spring to mind – will this fit, will she like it, if it’s not right can I take it back? There were plenty of nods in agreement.
We then paused for a moment to reflect on another gift – God’s gift to us:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
We reflected that this gift will fit perfectly – there will be no need to take it back. The gift meets our need for meaning, self-worth and forgiveness. The peace that Jesus promises is a peace that the world cannot give, and can apply to even the most difficult of circumstances. The hope Jesus gives is for both now and the future. In ‘the certainly of hope in the mystery of God’ death is not the end and we can shed tears in the arms of God.
And the fact of Christmas is this: Jesus the Son of God was at one time a tiny helpless baby totally dependent on Mary his mother. That’s some gift!
Revd Nigel Rawlinson
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