Advent Poetry: Christmas Carol

My final poem in this series is by Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy, an Anglical priest and a favourite poet of mine. Though born and brought up in England he always regarded himself as Irish because of his antecedents. He volunteered as a chaplain on the outbreak of World War 1 and was nicknamed Woodbine Willie for giving out cigarettes along with spiritual support to injured and dying soldiers. In 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross at Messines Ridge for running into no man's land to help the wounded. At first he supported the British military effort with enthusiasm but was converted to Christian socialism and pacifism which brought him into tension with his superiors and led to him being refused burial in Westminster Abbey by the Dean because he was a "socialist" after he died on 8 March 1929, exhausted at the age of 45.

He wrote many poems, some of which reflected his time in the trenches, but this one is a purely devotional one.

Shalom

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LentArt: Washing the Disciples' Feet

Today's #LentArt post is "The washing of the disciples' feet" by Ghislaine Howard, another piece from the wonderful Methodist Modern Art Collection. It has clearly struck a chord with a number of people, and I am delighted that tonight's guest blog is by my friend and fellow 4 Corners Director, Father Martin Magill, who, he will be embarrassed to have me say, is for me the epitome of a servant leader. Indeed it was interesting to have a friend and artist respond to my earlier post saying that this time last year she remembers having her feet washed by Martin... How much has changed in a year: This painting (completed in 2004) was inspired by these words from the gospel of John in today's lectionary: Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water ...

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