21 December 2024
Good morning,
Yesterday was the final day of exams – congratulations to all who have completed assessment for the Martinmas Semester. And all the best to those now marking students’ work. Enjoy a time of rest whenever it comes.
Feathers
Part 21
The story so far: three Deliveroo riders have arrived at St Leonard’s Chapel, where they hear unusually joyful carol-singing.
When the carol was over, the Deliveroo riders were ushered through the hubbub of worshippers chirping and chattering to the family gathered in front of the altar. “As you can see,” said the Chaplain, “there was a delivery before you.” And each rider looked down at the tiny child lying in the manger, swaddled in red, and his mother, sweaty, exhausted, trying to smile up at them, and her man – oh, it was Joe, they knew him from Madras, his sister had been in Rachel’s year.
“Hey Joe, well done man!” said Davie.
“Believe me,” said Joe, “it was all Maryam today. He’s his mother’s son.” And Joe looked down at Josh’s face, fingers peeping perfectly out of the gown, and felt a fierce urge to protect this life with all his being. “How did you know we were here?” he asked.
The riders then told everyone about the message they’d received on their app, gabbling over one another, “Deliver to St Leonard’s Chapel, where people have gathered to celebrate a special birthday, the youngest member of the Davidson clan, new life from the giver of all life. Deliver to the delivered one who will deliver us all. Things have turned around tonight; peace has broken out – enjoy!” And each showed the emoji at the end of their message – 🪽.
Mayam never forgot what they said that night, in the gentle shadows from the candlelight. The riders left their deliveries with the usher, and made their way outside, while the chapel began to sway with song, led by the organist:
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to you,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
Rachel got on her bike and as she pedalled home, la-la’d the tune at the top of her voice, and didn’t care what anyone thought.
Simone Barabino (1585-1660), Adoration of the Shepherds, Palazzo Bianco, Genoa
Yours,
Donald.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
Chaplain