Christmas Labyrinth 1998, with Live On Planet Earth. LOPE had developed their labyrinth service in their previous church in Kent, and brought it to Grace in 1997 when they moved to North London. This time the labyrinth was themed around the Annunciation and Advent.
The journey inward [preparation to meet God] took the themes of the OT prophecies about the coming of the Messiah; the central light represented as ever the meeting with God, but in this case specifically the Annunciation, as the point where Mary said yes to God. The journey outward was themed on the Magnificat, about the effect of us bearing the God we have said yes to out into the world.
[KEV/ANA to email existing labo stations to STEVE who will re-map themes as above]
'Self' station - this is about gifts. God to us, us to God. Christmas presents. [DAVE]
'Each other' station - incarnation - how are we being Christ to others? How are others being Christ to us? [KEVIN]
People is where we meet God, not a building. 'The Messiah is among you' story from Mike Riddell.
'Planet' station - theme of 'journey' [MARK]
The Inward Journey
To become ready to receive God as Messiah into their midst, Israel had to let go of:
- Injustice - they learned what it felt like to be an underclass
- Materialism - they learned how to live with just enough
- False self-images - they learned that they were no better, wiser or greater than any other people
- False security - they learned that their own strength was not enough
- Idolatry - they learned that other gods corrupted their values but couldn't help them
The inward journey is about facing up to and letting go of things which hurt your relationship with God. It is also about facing up to and letting go of false images of yourself - your own self-images, and other people's images of you - so that you can be real with God.
What are the barriers between you and God?
What needs to change for you and God to draw closer?
Think about it for a while as you travel.
Letting go
Who are you?
Let go of who other people think you should be, their expectations of you, their projections.
Let go of who you think you should be, your own expectations and projections.
Accept yourself.
God accepts you.
God loves you.
It is safe to be your real self with God.
Hurts
Think about the ways in which you have been unjust to others
Think about the ways in which others have been unjust to you
Draw a symbol or write a word to describe each of these things
Jesus said, if you let go of the unjust things people do to you, God will also let go of the unjust things you do. Carry the symbol with you for a while as you journey...
Think carefully. Are you willing to 'let go' of the things people have done or said to you? If you are, place the symbol in the bin and let go of it as God lets go of the unjust things you do.
Needs
Think of the things in your life which are more than you really need [remember that your needs are not just material]
If you take more than you need, are you denying others the things that they need?
What are your real needs?
Draw symbols or write words to describe your real needs
Carry them with you for a while.
Jesus said, God loves you and knows what you need; so put God's ways and values first in your life and all that you need will be given to you as well.
Are you willing to put your needs into the hands of God?
If you are, leave your drawing or writing here to symbolise your leaving it with God.
The centre
Here in the centre of the labyrinth is where we symbolically meet with God. Please spend some time here. Relax. Enjoy God's presence. Meditate on god. Commune with God.
You can be real with someone who loves you. Be real with God. Say yes to God, like Mary. Receive more of God - how might this be?
When you are ready to journey outwards, light one of the small candles from the central flame and take it with you as a symbol that you are bearing your encounter with God out into the world.
Outward journey
As you journey back out of the labyrinth take your encounter with God with you. Reflect on how this encounter might affect or change you. Reflect on what it means to bear God within you, like Mary, out into the world.
Mary foresaw many consequences of bearing God into the world. She foresaw justice:
The mighty put down from their thrones and the humble lifted up.
How can you be part of this process - God's work of justice?
If you need to, write or draw something to take with you as a reminder.
She foresaw fair sharing:
The hungry fed, and the grabbing by the rich stopped.
How can you be part of this process - God's work of sharing?
If you need to, write or draw something to take with you as a reminder.
Mary was told, "A sword will pierce your own soul too."
Walk through the stones. Feel the sandpaper. Stand on the cotton wool. Feel the texture. In what ways does this remind you of your journey?
Are you willing to face the consequences of bearing God into a world that rejects and fights against God?
Look around and notice. Even though they may be at different stages, others are on this journey too.
As you approach the end of the labyrinth think about God who has been the host for this part of your journey. If God asked you to fill in a guest book - what would your comments be? Please fill in the book with your response to God, your host.
Overarching meditation
[Brian spoke the meditation, Rosie sang]
Tonight we are on a journey, a journey towards the light who is God. We look towards our Trinitarian God walking with expectancy. Just as at the beginning of time the earth was in darkness, so we are in darkness, moving towards the warmth and nourishment that is God, our life source.
God - the word, said let there be light and there was light.
God created and continues creating - God sees all that he has created and continues creating.
God loves giving life and wants to give it in abundance.
John 1 v 1-14.
Jesus told Nicodemus that unless we are willing to be continually created into the image of God we will never see God's kingdom. We can be like a seed, buried deep into the ground, we can choose to germinate, grow and develop towards the light.
As you journey around the labyrinth, take your time, each step is a step of discovery. Just as the wise men journeyed towards God by following a star, so we ask you to journey. Be prepared to face what you discover about yourself, as you walk towards the light - let God the light draw you towards wholeness (holiness). God is faithful, she will not desert you. God is the pulse of the cosmos, they will not let you die.
Isaiah 52 v 7-10.
God's good news - Mary was asked to carry The Word, the pulse of the cosmos within her. God is asking you if you will do the same? Will you be the good news, the incarnate God? Mary chose to say yes and she changed the course of history - what is your response?
God the Trinity loved Mary and made love to her, impregnating her with himself. Inside of her grew God, she and God became one.
Jesus said:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me;
he has sent me to announce good news to the poor,
to proclaim release for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind;
to let the broken victims go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon you because he has anointed you;
he has sent you to announce good news to the poor,
to proclain release for prisoners and recovery for the blind;
to let the broken victims go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.
Isaiah 9 v 2-6-7
John 1 from The Message.
Photos
<< swipe left
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Marking out in the church hall. |
The central part of the labyrinth was a pre-made sheet, but the rest had to be set out with string then taped on the floor. |
The musicians do a soundcheck. |
Look at the difference when you change the lighting! On the radiator, right, is a copy of this Grace zine. |
The labyrinth itself. This version was the basis for the St. Paul's Cathedral labyrinth just over a year later. |
|
There are three other 'stations' for people waiting to go on the labyrinth, or who have come off. Above, the 'Others' station. Incarnation - how are we being Christ to others? How are others being Christ to us? |
The service ran for more than two hours, to allow everyone to take their turn around the labyrinth. Only a certain number of people can be on the labyrinth at once. |
|
The 'Planet' station. |
The 'Planet' station. |
The 'Self' station. This is about gifts. God to us, us to God. Christmas presents. |
The 'Self' station. |