Advent 14 – 14 December 2021
Good morning,
Behind today’s window we find some sheep. The nativity story describes shepherds looking after their flock in the fields by Bethlehem. St Andrews too is surrounded by fields in which sheep spend their days and nights, though the shepherds and farmers rarely spend the night in the fields looking after them, protecting them from danger, though at certain times they do – as I remember from my time as minister in Largoward. Here are some lovely dark-coloured sheep in the field below Kinkell Byre and heading down to the coastal path, which I snapped on one lovely long walk during the pandemic.
Earlier in the Calendar we encountered the music of Sir James MacMillan, composer from Ayrshire of opera, instrumental music and a huge wealth of choral music for congregations and for choirs. MacMillan is a Professor within our School of Divinity. Here is his beautiful setting from 2009 of the account in Luke’s Gospel in the King James Version of the annunciation to the shepherds of the news of the birth of Jesus, as sung by St Salvator’s Chapel Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPgljsiWjio The soloist is the tenor Peter Dorey, a former member of the choir. The text from Luke 2 is:
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Yours,
Donald.