Bumper attendance at Advent carols

A crowd of 100 worshippers gathered to celebrate the start of Advent in the warm glow of St Paul’s Lady Chapel, atmospherically lit by candlelight. With the service displaced from St Matthew’s during building improvements, a wonderful blend of the two congregations prayed and sang together. We contemplated a journey from darkness to light in expectant mood, preparing to receive Jesus afresh at Christmas.

A choir of 15, ranging from primary-school to retirement age, offered contemplative and joyful new music amongst the more traditional carols. And familiar Bible readings were interleaved with fiery, arresting words from the Iona community, with the intriguing response: ‘We suspect angels and disbelieve good news’. Click here to see how that cynical phrase was rebuffed.