This morning's service went really well, a happy atmosphere and good participation.  One of the many highlights for me was the product of the 'create a carol' activity.  The two folk I'd invited to facilitate had each prepared something up front, and a group of five people created a brand new song in just 20 minutes.  All of them wonderful.

With their permission, I am sharing their creativity.  If you do decide to use them, please credit them - although not published they are still copyright the authors/church as appropriate.

Love Looked Up

Love looked up at Christmas,

Love bewildered, love divine.

Love reached out at Christmas,

Tiny fingers held the sign.

Worship we the baby,

Love demanding, love divine,

Worship we our Jesus,

Usual chaos, sacred sign.

Leanne Clelland, Ken Fisher, Freya Edwards, Paul Fraser, Elaine Downie (c) authors and Hillhead Baptist Church

In The Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak mid-winter
Many mums made moan,
Party clothes need ironed,
Just one sleep to go;
Food is cooking, food on food,
Food on food,
In the bleak mid-winter
Not so long to go.

Santa cannot hold them
Nor the dads restrain;
Common sense shall flee away
Cards will bear the pain:
In the bleak mid-winter
No order is too tall
Place your present order,
We will buy them all.

What can I give them,
Poor as I am?
If I had a fortune
would everyone stay calm?
If I were a wise man
I’d have a fresh start;
Give them all that matters -
Give my heart.

Leanne Clelland (c) Leanne Clelland

At Christmas Let's Remember

To the tune of “THE HOLLY AND THE IVY”

All the shops are full of goodies

Ready waiting for our cash

They don’t want us to be prudent

They are hoping we’ll be rash

Chorus:

At Christmas let’s remember

The coming of that Baby Boy

Who from that humble stable

Filled the world with peace and joy

But will spending make us happy?

Yet our gifts can bring good

Perhaps the best gift we can offer

Is our heart filled with God’s love

Chorus:

At Christmas let’s remember

The coming of that Baby Boy

Who from that humble stable

Filled the world with peace and joy

Ken Fisher (c) Ken Fisher

Today's all age worship (with zones) for Advent 4... there will be carols and there will be a telling of the birth of Jesus and there will be a reflection and there will be intercessory prayer... but it won't be a traditional carol service (whatever one of those may be).

In the evening there will be a service of Lessons and Carols, so anyone who feels let down in the morning can come along then and have a lusty sing!

I have to admit that I am starting to run out of steam for these now!  Today I will choose the 'anonymous gift' one but not quite sure to whom it will be given.