School of Rock or Rock the School?

School of Rock were the last act at South Luton High School's Christmas Show and they wished us dedicated audience members (esp in the face of the string quartet - tuning!) a Merry Christmas, Slade style! It was great everyone was singing along and waving in time it was a brilliant outbreak of festive cheer.

But I don't think I will ever forget that night for the way God just continues to astound me. I have been singing with the community choir at school (although a cold kept me off stage last night, croaking was all I was up to) and they are a great group who we have been trying to teach three part harmony and some discipline.

Last week we took them to a local business to sing and they were a real credit to the school, a challenge to recent adverse publicity - well behaved, presentable, bright and enthusiastic. They raised £250 to pay for choir t shirts.

But last night something even more amazing happened. As they sang 'A King Was Born' and got to the bridge, singing about Jesus being Lord, people just started clapping, cheering and dancing and you could feel God's presence so strongly the hair all stood up on the back of my neck...I just burst into tears...there was such joy in that room and joy is not usually a word associated with South Luton.

It made me realise that I limit God, even though I don't think I do, or mean to. I would never have expected that show to be spiritual but it was in spades ... I wonder whether tomorrow's carol service at St Mary's will achieve the same?!

I read an advent blog, the blogger was asking among the hectic Christmas preparations what we were doing for God ... these two things made me think, when God came to earth in an unexpected way why was I surprised to find him in an unexpected place...and if Christmas is his time shouldn't I share some of it with him...

I had to write the closing blessing for tomorrow's service, this is what I came up with...

"Let us learn the messages of Christmas.

Whether we believe the events of that mysterious night, or see it as a story,
it has much to teach us, here in this place…

May we learn from the joy of the angels who sang, even when the world refused to hear.

From the wonder of the shepherds, which lead them to journey even though they were afraid.

From the belief of the kings, who searched until they found you, even though the world said you weren't coming.

And may we learn from the trust of Mary, brave enough to take a risk on you God.

From the love of Joseph, which was big enough to welcome your son into his life.

And from the peace of the Christ-child, come to show us who we are made to be.

From all of these thing may we learn".

May we!