When I was a vicar I had a competition with myself to get a Bruce Cockburn lyric into every Christmas sermon. I never failed.
I wish I was well-read enough to quote clever literary giants and ancient saints – which some seem to manage effortlessly. But, I will stick with Saint Bruce for this year again, wishing all readers of this blog a very happy celebration of the Incarnation and a new year that will bring much joy amid the usual stuff of life:
Like a stone on the surface of a still river, driving the ripples on for ever, redemption rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.
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December 24, 2009 at 5:11 pm
guaranteed to get my wife crying every time (“and guess what, I felt the baby kick today”)…
December 24, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hi Nick
I’m preaching at Midnight Communion and have just changed the ending of my sermon to incorporate the Bruce Cockburn lyric – so thanks for that!
Anne.
December 26, 2009 at 9:37 am
Great lyric, but if the Cockburn lyric seam should ever give out, I am sure you can move on to St Leonard! I might begin with” There is a crack in everything, that’s how the lights gets in.”
Tommorrow, which might be a thin Sunday, I shall try to rehabilitate the reputation of the ” Grumpy Bishop” by quoting from “Why wish you a merry Christmas” which Amazon delivered at last just before Christmas. I owe you that, being the Rochester Diocese Reader who accidentally revealed your David Jenkins 13 word Creed “punch line” when you spoke at our Conference the other year!
You inspired a lot of us that day, which shows that theology, humour and music is a great mix
( John Bell is another exponent).
Thanks for that – and the blog
December 26, 2009 at 10:21 am
Good stuff, Nick. I was thinking about this Cockburn line, after reading the Archbishop of Wales’ Christmas message on the Times page:
“So all you stumblers who believe love rules, stand up and let it shine” (from “Mystery”).
Good thing to remember as I see the relatives on Boxing day…
Huw
December 28, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Got my come uppance yesterday referencing the lobster in the nativity. Asking the congregation if they had seen the film ” Love Actually” -two of them were in it!
December 30, 2009 at 11:59 am
Don’t know about Bruce Cockburn, being under 45, but I am now trying the same tactic with Rage Against the Machine. Going well so far…
December 30, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Oh, really, Kevin… that’s just silly pop!
December 31, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I agree with u.
April 28, 2010 at 5:29 pm
In evangelistic terms you are much better off with pop song lyrics and movie quotes than ‘literary giants and ancient saints’, who most people haven’t read (the former) and don’t respect (the latter).