St Barnabas’ Church, Crosland Moor, are hosting a set of three Advent talks over three weeks exploring the Christmas story backwards to give parishioners a new angle on the Nativity.
Ian Blakeley, licensed ‘Reader’ at the Benefice of St. Barnabas Church, Crosland Moor, and Christ Church, Linthwaite, is leading the ‘Walking Backwards to Christmas’ talks, the first two of which have already taken place and the final one being held on the 17th December at the Sandy Mount Extra Care Home.
Ian says, “I hope to change people's understanding of the Christmas story and to enable people to encounter the Nativity as if for the first time.”
Ian adds, “These talks were inspired by a book I read entitled ‘Walking Backwards to Christmas’, written by Stephen Cottrell.
“Stephen was inspired to write this book after being introduced to the painting 'Nativity with Burning Bush' by Albert Herbert, which gave Stephen the idea of retelling the Nativity story backwards.”
The image on the right shows the 'Nativity with Burning Bush' by Albert Herbert.
Ian explains, “This painting, from left to right shows Joseph; then the infant Jesus being held for him to see; then Mary herself; and then the bright, vivid image of the burning bush.
“Stephen saw a movement across the canvas that appears to be going backwards from the person who beholds the presence of Christ, to Christ himself and then to Mary, who so obviously has a central place in the story, and then behind Mary to the burning bush.
“In a flash, Stephen knew he should retell the Nativity story backwards, especially for all those who thought they knew the story well - he gets underneath the skin of the story.”
32 people from St Barnabas’ Church, Crosland Moor, Christ Church, Linthwaite, and the Sandy Mount Extra Care Home gathered together for the first of these Advent talks and 28 people met for the second.
The first two talks took place on the 3rd and 10th December and the first involved an explanation of the concept of the talks as well as an introduction to some of the characters taking part in the backwards Nativity story.
Ian says, “The first talk comprised of listening to the voices of Anna, the prophet, the 84 year old lady who lived in the Temple who met Mary and Joseph with the baby Messiah when he was brought to the temple.
“We also heard the harrowing and moving voice of Rachel, a mother of one of the baby boys murdered by Herod's soldiers in the killing of the innocents.
“There was an opportunity for prayer and discussion and I took along my guitar and we sang the Taize song - Wait for the Lord.”
In the second talk those attending heard from a Wise Man, a Shepherd and Mary.
Ian says, “In week three we shall hear from Isaiah and Moses.
“This is to show that the prophecies of Isaiah and the revelation to Moses are important to the Nativity story.
“It is also important that my talks bring out the light and the darkness of the story and to also show how women hold a central part in the story.
“There is always prayer, discussion, Bible readings and singing.”
Ian has led both the Advent and Lent talks since coming to St Barnabas’ Church in 1987 but only started using the Sandy Mount Extra Care Home as the venue for these talks in Lent this year.
“A small number of our congregation now live at the Care Home and cannot get along to church anymore, so I decided to take the talks to them and our congregation came along,” Ian explains.
“This has enabled other residents at the Care Home who had no affiliation with our church to also come along and take part.
“The success of Lent led me to want to do the same again this Advent - It has become a community outreach project.”
He adds, “It is good to bring the church out of its building into the community.
“The Care Home is a friendly place with a Bistro open to the general public.
“We often end up in the Bistro for lunch once the talks are over and this is another opportunity to be with residents and other members of the public as well as Care Home staff.
“The churches in Crosland Moor now hold a monthly Sunday service and our Vicar leads a film club at the Care Home.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the final talk of the series which takes place at the Sandy Mount Extra Care Home at 11:00am on Thursday 17th December.
The event is free to attend.
For more information, please see St Barnabas’ Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/stbarnabaschurchhuddersfield/?fref=ts