Over 20 years ago, at a time of great unrest in the Holy Land, the then Lord Provost Alex Mosson asked Glasgow Churches Together (GCT) to organise a service to pray for peace, particularly in view of Glasgow’s Friendship Agreement with Bethlehem which had been signed in 1992, and which later resulted in a formal twinning arrangement in 2007.

That service became an annual event which this year was felt by all involved to be more urgent than ever in view of the tragedy developing in Gaza and the Holy Land.  As usual, the service was hosted in the City Chambers and the music and singing were led by singers and musicians who reflected the wide range of nationalities who have made their home in the city.

Ukrainian Children’s Choir

The Salvation Army were unable to provide a band this year but the St Mungo Music Ensemble used their contacts to bring in friends and colleagues to expand their numbers.  They were joined by the young South Side Fiddlers, the wonderful children of St Denis’ Primary School, piper Willie Park, the St Mungo Singers, the Ukrainian Children’s Choir from the Kids Club, Coatbridge and the Choir of the Ukrainian Parish of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Glasgow.

As Carissa Swan on clarsach and John Allen on whistle played on the landing of the stairs leading to the Banqueting Suite for people as they arrived, the St  Mungo Singers and St Denis’ children sang carols and Christmas music in the Banqueting Hall itself.  A touch of something different was added by the Ukrainian Children’s Choir dressed in national costumes singing Ukrainian carols.

The service itself began with a welcome from Bailie Patricia Ferguson on behalf of the Lord Provost and the City Council to what was now a well established tradition at this time of year.  Unfortunately, she reminded us, for far too many people this year it would not be a happy or peaceful time   – and she specifically welcomed the Ukrainian community for joining in the service – and she acknowledged that the festive season could be bring its own stresses.  We should spare a thought for those also without family or friends.

Beginning the service proper, Canon David Wallace sang the Christmas Proclamation, a text which sets the birth of Christ in a timeline of historical events, before inviting all present to pray for peace in Bethlehem, the Holy Land, Ukraine and for people everywhere who were affected by violence and war, ending with a plea for a change of heart for those who chose the paths of war.

There were many moments of emotion in the service as we thought of those impacted by war.  A video message from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bethlehem, in which he reminded us that

Video from Bethlehem University

Christ came that we might live life to the full, and asked us to hold in our hearts the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Bethlehem, was greeted by spontaneous applause.

The choir of the Ukrainian Parish sang a carol  called “A sad Christmas Eve” which as their parish priest explained, did not refer to the current war in their country but tragically to the events of 1946 when then too Ukrainians were seeking freedom from Russian control.

Archbishop William Nolan gave the reflection.  Turning our thoughts to the various Christmas plays which take place at this time, he said our children love the image of the donkey carrying Mary as she and Joseph search for somewhere to stay, and yet, in our own streets today, people are homeless.

The Gospel reading which had just been read was of the flight into Egypt, and Archbishop Nolan pointed out that this reminds us that Mary and Joseph were a family of refugees.  We would like to think that they were welcomed in Egypt.  In our own times, there are more refugees than ever with over 100m forcibly displaced people in the world, due to violence, poverty, climate change.  Some of these people come to our shores seeking help.  How responsible, he asked, are we for their fate?  How much is climate change due to the actions of developed nations?  Where do the weapons come from that are used in the wars?  Yes, let us look forward to Christmas but let us see Christ in our fellow women and men.

As the congregation in turn reflected on his words, members of the ensemble played “O Holy Night” and then the choir led them in singing “Silent Night” as a prayer for all those living where there is conflict or where there is “no room at the inn”.  After the prayers of Intercession which followed, the choir sang Noel Donnelly’s beautiful and simple “Song of Healing”.

The atmosphere was brightened then by the Ukrainian parish choir singing a medley of traditional carols, the Southside Fiddlers playing some lively music and the children of St Denis’ singing “White Christmas” and what we were informed was their favourite carol, “Hallelujah”  (and giving it their all!).

As the service drew to a close, a collection was taken up for the Lord Provost’s Fund for Children.  The clergy present jointly blessed all present and everyone sang the final carol “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.  The traditional hospitality of the City Council was then enjoyed as the young Fiddlers played some more lively traditional music to send people on their way rejoicing.