Praying the In-Between Times
Sunday 28th December 2025, led by Deborah Colvin
Celtic Cross engraved in stone, Inchagoill Island
Gathering
Welcome. We are in solstice-tide, in the depths of the dark, on the sea-bed of the year. Rest, the Christ-child is born, the garden is still. We attune our breath to the larger breathing of the season.
Introduction
In her book ‘The Celtic Way of Prayer’, Esther de Waal says ‘the Celtic tradition is a return to the elements, the earth, stone, fire, water, the ebb and flow of tides and seasons, the pattern of the year as it swings on its axis from Samhaine, 1 November when all grows dark, to Beltaine, 1 May the coming of light and spring. To pray the Celtic way means above all to be aware of the rhythm of dark and light. The dark and the light are themselves symbols of the Celtic refusal to deny darkness, pain, suffering, and yet to exult in rejoicing, celebration, in the fullness and goodness of life. This is in itself a recognition of the fullness of my own humanity.’
All that is and will be in the coming seasons is here already, in potential, in preparation, in the fullness of its own life in the dark. We take some time today to experience this fullness and prepare for the movement from dark to light.
Readings
In a tangle of cliffs I chose a place -
Bird-paths, but no trails for people.
What’s beyond the yard?
White clouds clinging to vague rocks,
Now I’ve lived here - how many years -
Again and again Spring and Winter pass.
Go tell families with silverware and cars,
‘What’s the use of all that noise and money?’
Han Shan circa 800, translated by Gary Snyder
I see humanity under two lights,
Past and future; and in two states,
Time and place. If we want to know
How God accounts for this oddness
We’ll get an evasive answer.
Ma’arri Syrian 973-1057
Individual contemplative time (15 minutes)
We have an opportunity to contemplate and be contemplated in the garden. If you are online, you are invited to be with a plant, a view from the window, or perhaps something from the natural world held in your hand.
Regathering
If you would like to, please do share any response you may have.
Concluding prayer and blessing
Litany – a list of invocations and supplications - features in the prayer of both pre-Christian and Christian Celts. St Patrick’s Breastplate is a litany in the tradition of breastplate or lorica, a prayer for protection. This prayer is also known as The Deer’s Cry. The story goes that when Patrick was being pursued by High King Loeguire’s men for the misdemeanour of lighting a fire before the king lit his, Patrick recited this prayer and he and his followers appeared as deer to the king who then spared them. Or sometimes the story goes that the King heard Patrick singing but his path was blocked by a herd of deer so Patrick was able to get away.
We will listen to Rita Connolly singing St Patrick’s Breastplate as we look toward the rising of the light in the year ahead. May we hear this prayer in company with all creatures in need of protection and care. You can listen to a recording on Youtube here.
I arise today through the strength of heaven
Light of sun, radiance of moon
Splendour of fire, speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea
Stability of earth, firmness of rock
I arise today through God's strength
To pilot me
God's eye to look before me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
From all who shall wish me ill
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul
Christ with me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ in me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
I arise today.
‘Breastplate’ by Sara Mark was exhibited in the side chapel at St James’s in April 2025.
‘Breastplate’ was commissioned with a ‘poetic instruction’ sent unannounced to artist/seamstress Kim Thornton in the summer of 2023. The pattern is based on a flak-jacket; body-armour designed to protect against flying fragments of shrapnel and other projectiles.
Read more about the talismanic contents of the pockets in this blog by Sara Mark.
Upcoming Eco-Contemplative Liturgies
View More Eco-Contemplative Liturgies
