Carols by Candlelight

Yesterday night was AWESOME!!! We had Carols by Candlelight service at Holy Name Church.

A total of 5 choirs were involved : Angelorum Choir (us!), CAOS (Choir and Orchestra Society), Ad Solem (University Chamber Choir), University Harmony Gospel Choir, and the Nigerian Choir. More people than usual came to church and everyone got to hold a candle in the dark!

The bishop was present as well. All the performances were fantastic. It's the first time I actually sang with a full 4 part choir backed with the orchestra and trumpets! The choir stand was full of people in black coats (typical UK fashion -.-"). 3 choirs were squeezed (and I really mean squeeze! the guys had to stand throughout the whole service) upstairs on the stand while the other two were stationed downstairs.

All sorts of instruments were surrounding us: violins, double bass, cello, pipe organ, trumpets.. bla bla. It was really chaotic at first but everything turned out great! It felt like we were really praising and welcoming a truly majestic Lord! After the service there was mince pies and hot drinks next door... hihihi. One thing I really enjoy at the chaplaincy :D

Got to go now... Traditional British Christmas dinner in an hour!

Where?

At the chaplaincy again of course :D

Bye!

No Greater Love Than God

Went to confession just now.

And it was about the most wonderful confession I have ever experienced :) (not that I've been to a lot!) Father Ian was very welcoming and cheerful and nice. I can only describe our conversation as comfortable, sincere, and mind-awakening.

Once again, I learnt that I was slowly leading myself into a trap of hecticness and selfishness, having no time for anything or anyone else but myself. But of course, God is infinite. And it is in this infinity of forgiveness that I find peace. It says in the bible that God "lavishes" us with LOVE. And oh-how-so-true it is!!! If you can count your blessings each day, even small blessings.. you could just spend hours and hours thanking the Lord for everything!

The fact that I'm studying here now is one of the indescribable BIG blessings in my life!! I know now that feeling guilty about my sins isn't a good thing at all. The Lord doesn't want us to dwell on guilt or fear of Him, but He wants us to wake up and realize His everlasting Love and Forgiveness for us! He wants us to learn to LOVE again.

Christmas is coming, and Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. But what does it all really mean?? Advent.. a time for reflection.. but most of all, a time for Longing. Longing for the coming of Christ. For the presence of God. For that special touch from heaven. What is Christmas all about??? Now I can tell you that. Christmas is a love story between me and the Lord. A love story between YOU and the Lord! The coming of Christ.. It is a simple love story of a God who wants to come close to us, who practically came down to earth to tell us face to face: I love you. How deep is that love? Deep enough to die on the cross.

Alright, so that was ages ago. What is THIS Christmas all about then? This Christmas this year? Well.. the love story is not done yet. Part 2, Part 3, or Part 4..5...... as many parts as you like. It's really not done yet because in all love stories, someone says 'I love you' wholeheartedly and the other person reponses with the same enthusiasm: 'I love you too'. Where is the response for OUR love story? When can we ever (if ever) express the same love back in return?

So Christmas is the time for us to renew ourselves, to try again with more effort than last year... to try again and again to look into the face of our Saviour who came down to earth to express his love for us, and to finally respond : I love you too, Jesus, as wholeheartedly as He did.

Quick Quick! SNOW~

8 am in Manchester...





Haha! So little snow. I know.

But my flatmate said that's about as much as you get in Manchester, since Manchester is known for its WET weather. Hopefully on one (or more!) rare days it'll snow heavier so I can make a snowman :D

Cheers!