Christmas 2011
But For Now
Slithered fish silver shinning out from the water and blood
The ocean’s poured into You, they ebb and flow beneath you linen skin
Rounded braids of purple and blue threads, scarlet veins of priestly colours
The offering lies born on the stable floor, and you are marked by muck and mud
and marked and known from so long before
What will you dream, Dark haired Jew on the edge of sleep
Will you dream of outstretched arms On rough cut unfinished wood,
Under a bronze sky that lays fine hammered light on the alter
But for now…
…Learn Your words well, like all children,
You never know what you might need to say.
And those Children play in the circles of dust
While the neighbours shout and tired men complain
That sleep is short and work is long
Women laugh and dogs fight
Lovers marry and musicians play..
And it all seems to be about relationship
And it all seems to be about joining
And the horror seems to be rejection
Did you get it?
The horror seems to be separation
It will just seem so clear.
But for now…
…As You grow out this shared dust and dirt,
Yes that voice across the wheat field no one else hears is for you
That shadow with malice in the night that mocks and taunts is not imagined
Read the gaps in the roof tiles as you lie on the edge of sleep
The fire draws shapes on the clay that slip out to the sky
Grow out of this same earth and clay,
To realise you have come God from a belly
How will it feel to learn God in your belly?
Growing up between your ribs and to shape your thoughts
Like some insistent vine it grows and presses and
Rich fruit will ripen and ripple across your brow…
But for now
The children play in the circles of dust
While the soldiers curse and the taxes are taken
The food is too few and the wine ends too early
The men fight and the woman scold
As night pulls evening into the dance
And it all seems to be about relationship,
It all seems to be about the heart
And the horror seems to be separation.
Did you get ?
The horror seems to be separation.
But for now,
Brought from the oceans by the river
And left here in it’s time
Slithered fish silver shinning out of water and blood
And for now the oceans poured in you lie still.
Sunday 18 December
10:30am Family Christmas Celebration
7pm Carols by Candlelight
Thursday 22nd December .... Christmas Fun, Craft & Games
10:30am-11.30am ... Toddlers-6yrs and Parent
2.30pm- 4pm ... Year 1- Year 6 (Please pre-register as places are limited.)
4pm-4.30pm ... All-Age Carols and Nativity (please bring at least 1 adult)
7.30pm-9pm ... Year 6 - Year 9 Christmas Party
25th December ... Christmas Day
10.30am Family celebration
Wallingford Baptist Church
Our usual programme resumes in early Jan -
Sundays at 10.30am - Worship with Sunday School and crèche
Tuesdays at 10am – Thames St. Toddlers for pre-school children and their carers
Thursdays at 2.30pm – Senior Fellowship (60+)
Fridays at 7.30pm – ROC Youth Club (Yr7+
Join us on Sunday mornings in January to help us help you keep your resolutions
Jan 1st – Resolve to renew faith
Jan 8th – Resolve to enjoy work
Jan 15th – Resolve to give more attention to your marriage
Jan 22nd – Resolve to give more time to the children
Jan 29th – Resolve to manage money better
Come and celebrate Christmas with us at the event which suits you and your family!
10.30am-11.30am Parents with toddlers to 6 yr olds
An hour of crafts, coffee and play
2.30pm-4pm Games, Stories & Craft for Year1-6
(pre-registration advised as places are limited)
4pm-4.30pm All Age Nativity Service
A short, informal service for any age group.
(Children need to be accompanied by an adult)
7.30pm-9pm Yr 6 – 9 Christmas Party
Registration forms for the Yr 1 – 6 event are available in the church foyer or can be downloaded from the website.