I think a change would do you good...

This year we are breaking with tradition ~ a personal and professional change ~ by moving away from the traditional Kings College "lessons and carols" worship for Christmas Eve. Don't get me wrong, I love the beauty and awe of this liturgy, but the theology is outdated. It is also not real given our increasingly inter-dependent world. So, I've chosen to experiment by using Brian Wren's careful and compassionate reworking of the King's College  lessons and carols with something he calls "a service of songs and scriptures" in Advent, Christmas Epiphany Liturgies and Prayers for Public Worship (check it out @ http://www.thethoughtfulchristian.com/Products/0664233090/advent-christmas-and-epiphany.aspx)

Two key differences between the old and new are important to note:

+ First, the theology of this new liturgy articulates a way of being faithful that involves co-creation. Not that God isn't God, but rather these words make it clear that we have a critical role to play in advancing compassion and justice in Christ's image. That is to say, being faithful isn't simply about right doctrine, it is also about right action. He articulates what I have noted as a generous orthodoxy - with some radical and demanding consequences.  Wren puts it like this...

+ Second, the early 20th century sentimentalism of the King's College liturgy has been changed to include the harsh and sobering realities of violence. Wren also situates the words of worship in a multi-faith, post-September 11th world that is takes seriously the insights of post-modern thinking, too. For example, he makes much greater use of the Psalms and the wisdom of St. Paul, like the inclusion of Psalm 103:

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live^*
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.

So I think a change would do us good:  it is clearly the right time.  I think the closing blessing brings it all home:

Go in peace.
May the love that made the stars,
be your guiding light.
May the love revealed in Jesus
be your hope and inspiration;
and may the love of the ever-present Spirit,
give you courage, joy and hope,
now and forever. Amen. 

If you are in town... why not join us?  (Worship starts at 7 PM with 30 minutes of stunning music that is truly eclectic:  some classical hymns, some jazz, some contemporary settings of old tunes and some country/folk/gospel, too.)

credits:
1) ephphatha-poetry.blogspot.com
2) http://adventdoor.com/category/lectio-divina/
3) ibid

NOTE: for great insight and art please visit the site of the brilliant artist Jan Richardshon @ http://adventdoor.com/