The boy in the Temple

In this poster we see Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve - he is discussing Old Testament Scriptures with the Jewish priests and teachers. We can see Mary and Joseph in the background - Jesus realises that although Mary is his Mother, Joseph is not his Father! Joseph is his foster-father and the husband of Mary, but God is his Father. How wonderful that later on Jesus is going to invite us to call God 'Our Father' too.

I know many twelve year olds who know every book in the Harry Potter series inside out and backwards. No harm in that! But, how well do we know our Scriptures? It is only the Bible that contains the word of life!

We have a gospel to proclaim

As Christmastide draws to a close, and we put away the crib this weekend for another year, we should remind ourselves that we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through all the seasons of the year:

Tell of his birth at Bethlehem,
not in a royal house or hall
but in a stable dark and dim,
the Word made flesh,
a light for all.

Flight into Egypt

Here is a picture of a lovely poster in the Chapel depicting the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph travelling from Bethlehem to Egypt. King Herod was wanting to kill Jesus, so they had to make a quick escape.

What a tough life the Holy Family were having! They had to travel from their home town of Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to be enrolled for tax purposes, and now they are becoming refugees in a foreign country.

Many people in the world today have similar stories to tell.

In the poster I like Jesus - the Light of the World - shining out from within Our Lady's coat! Jesus still shines in the darkest places of the world today - it is only our sins which try to cover up his light.

Another view of the Christmas Tree and Crib

Many people who come to the Chapel between our Christmas Celebration and Candlemas Day comment on the lovely atmosphere - and it is not just the basilica incense that we burn during festive seasons!

The crib is really beautiful - it comes from Italy. The figures are very expressive, and are housed in a lovely stable. During service time, red votive lights burn in front, giving a warm and welcoming glow. You can see our splendid Christmas tree standing on the left.


During the joyful days of Christmastide, we conclude all our services with a carol sung as everyone gathers round the crib.


O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him, born the king of angels:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

The Christmas Tree!

Well here it is - our Christmas Tree complete with 300 coloured lights. Perhaps not up to the standards of Trafalgar Square - but impressive just the same! The first year after the Chapel was reordered (2000) we had just 100 lights on the tree. It looked a little pathetic, so in 2001 we went up to 200 lights. We still weren't satisfied, so another 100 lights were purchased for 2002. We decided that was enough - after all we didn't want to blow all the fuses in the School!

The tree is lit each year at our Christmas Celebration just as Baby Jesus is laid in the manger. It brightens up the darkened Chapel and reminds us that:
All out of darkness we have light,
which made the angels sing this night:
'Glory to God and peace to men,
now and for evermore. Amen.'

Prayer for Christian Unity - Thursday 25 January

Today - the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, marks the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for this year. I have enjoyed the week, not least the exchanges between St Paul's Cathedral (Happy Patronal Festival!) and Westminster Cathedral. It strikes me that we are very blessed in the Chapel of the Resurrection, because ALL of our services are attended by Christians of different traditions.

Our lack of unity must be a stumbling block to some people thinking about converting to the Christian Faith, so as we give thanks today for the amazing conversion of Paul, let us pray for a miracle on the unity front!

Eternal God and Father, whose Son at supper prayed that his disciples might be one, as he is one with you: Draw us closer to him, that in common love and obedience to you, we may be united to one another in the fellowship of the one Spirit, that the world may believe that he is Lord, to your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you for joining me in prayer during this week. I'll post some more 'informal' blogs over the next few days. I haven't forgotten the photo of the Christmas tree - which is still looking spendid!

Prayer for Christian Unity - Wednesday 24 January

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.