0:00:02 > 0:00:03This week,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06I'm in Devon on a Christmas tree farm as the Christian owners
0:00:06 > 0:00:09prepare for their busiest time of year,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11and they've even got reindeer!
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Welcome to Songs Of Praise.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This week, I follow the journey of a Christmas tree
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- from the forest to the local church... CHILDREN:- Hurray!
0:00:44 > 0:00:47It's a real privilege that one of our trees should take centre stage
0:00:47 > 0:00:50in the middle of our community at this time of year.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..a church leader dealing with serious illness
0:00:53 > 0:00:55during the season of Advent...
0:00:55 > 0:01:00I have a joy, through knowing Christ, that is not impacted,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04is not wrecked, by the circumstances of my life.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08..and why JB Gill is giving blood this Christmas.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Our music this week comes from right across the UK,
0:01:20 > 0:01:26and we begin in Manchester with a carol written for the Advent season.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30And for a real treat, it's accompanied by a full orchestra.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20Here in Devon,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24it's the busiest time of year for Christian farmers Helen and
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Lester Bowker and their team as they prepare Christmas trees
0:03:27 > 0:03:30for delivery to homes and communities.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Lester, how many trees do you have here?
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- About 40,000 spread over two sites. - Wow! How much land is that?
0:03:38 > 0:03:39It's about 25 acres.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46I know you also have reindeer here, which is so charming.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Where do they fit into the picture?
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Well, we went to a farm in Wales in 2008 and saw them,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56and they were just so magical that we fell in love with them
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and decided that we would have them for the Christmas business,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01and we felt we probably could learn the expertise that was
0:04:01 > 0:04:03required to look after them.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05So definitely the star of the show.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12Helen and Lester believe they were guided by God to take on this farm.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19One of our relatives offered us the 25 acres and, at the time, we were
0:04:19 > 0:04:24both not local to here, we were in Dorset, and had both well-paid jobs.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25And it was quite a dilemma
0:04:25 > 0:04:31because you can't easily make a living off of 25 acres.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34So how did you approach this dilemma?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37We did go back and pray about it quite a lot, didn't we?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39We did, and then we got a phone call.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42It was offering us work in the West Country.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43And that seemed to me
0:04:43 > 0:04:46a divine coincidence or the confirmation
0:04:46 > 0:04:49we were looking for, that this was the direction
0:04:49 > 0:04:52we should be taking, however mad it seemed at the time.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57No, this one!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Today, Helen and Lester are giving me
0:04:59 > 0:05:04the honour of selecting the tree being donated to their church.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09What is the meaning of Christmas for you two?
0:05:09 > 0:05:12It's all about rebirth and starting again, isn't it?
0:05:12 > 0:05:16It's always a time of wonder as well for us.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18It's a time of excitement, I suppose, as well, isn't it?
0:05:18 > 0:05:19You know.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23Jesus and everything that he then went on to do and his promises
0:05:23 > 0:05:29to us is just the rock, really, on which we now try and base our life.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Later on, we'll see the tree given pride of place in Helen
0:05:34 > 0:05:36and Lester's village church.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Our next piece of music reflects our Advent theme -
0:05:41 > 0:05:43the modern hymn Christ Be Our Light.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07With Christmas just around the corner, if you're anything like me,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10you'll be starting to wonder about gifts for family and friends.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Well, in London, a choir has been set up with the hope of inspiring us
0:08:14 > 0:08:19all to give a very different present through becoming a blood donor.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25The campaign is inspired by the organisation behind the MOBO Awards.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27JB Gill has been finding out more.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32I've been lucky enough to win five MOBOs with my band, JLS.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35But, as well as the prestigious award ceremony,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39the MOBOs run important social campaigns.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41This year, they're encouraging people to give blood.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45I'm doing my bit. I'm about to give blood for the first time.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- How does that feel?- It's all right. - Yeah, it's not too bad, is it?- No.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00The campaign was a joint partnership between NHS Blood & Transplant
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and MOBO, and the idea is we're trying to encourage
0:09:03 > 0:09:06more younger people to register and donate blood,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10in particular from the black and Asian communities.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11There we go. That's going fine.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- If you get any pain, just let me know.- I will do.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16There's a crucial need.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20We need to encourage 40,000 people over the next three years,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and we want to use the power of music,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25which inspires young people in particular,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28to kind of get them engaged, get them involved
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and use this to get that crucial message out there.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33# I'll rise up... #
0:09:33 > 0:09:35And so, to raise awareness,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39MOBO and NHS are creating a choir to spread the word.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41It's called the B Positive Choir.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45# And I'll do it 1,000 times again... #
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Being in this season of Advent,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51and everybody's thinking about giving and sharing
0:09:51 > 0:09:57and the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ, the gift that we can
0:09:57 > 0:10:01give is the gift of lifeblood that others really do need.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07I had a kidney transplant four months ago and, throughout
0:10:07 > 0:10:10the whole time on dialysis, I needed a lot of transfusions.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14I needed transfusions just to get up and walk around the house.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Faith is one of the things that gets me through my illness,
0:10:17 > 0:10:18my belief in God.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I love gospel music, so for me, being able to be a part of this and
0:10:22 > 0:10:25enjoy something compassionate about it at the same time, it's fantastic.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28# All together, let's rise up... #
0:10:28 > 0:10:30B Positive is the name of the choir,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33and that's not only a rare blood type,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36but it's also about having that positive thinking, that powerful
0:10:36 > 0:10:40mind-set can help kind of change your life in many different ways.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- You're finished.- I'm done!- It's not painful?- No, it's not painful.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51It's actually...well, relatively therapeutic.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Some people feel better, like they're regenerating themselves.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Some people do feel better afterwards.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Well, I'm regenerating myself and somebody else.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00What better gift to give at Christmas?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02# Oh, oh, oh, oh
0:11:02 > 0:11:03# Rise up! #
0:11:06 > 0:11:08What a nice reason to put a choir together.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Perhaps many more will give blood as a result.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Our next piece of music is by Christian writer Matt Redman,
0:11:15 > 0:11:18who's been inspired to link the Christmas story with
0:11:18 > 0:11:23the redeeming work of Christ on the cross in his song called How Far.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32# In Nazareth of Galilee
0:11:32 > 0:11:37# An angel speaks the sacred words
0:11:37 > 0:11:42# Mary, you will be with child
0:11:42 > 0:11:46# The miracle of virgin birth
0:11:50 > 0:11:54# Joseph heeds the angel sign
0:11:54 > 0:11:59# And takes her as his promised wife
0:11:59 > 0:12:04# Now through the night they journey on
0:12:04 > 0:12:10# How far is it to Bethlehem?
0:12:10 > 0:12:14# Wise men plan their course ahead
0:12:14 > 0:12:19# Searching for the promised king
0:12:19 > 0:12:23# Now from the east a guiding star
0:12:23 > 0:12:28# How far is it to Bethlehem?
0:12:29 > 0:12:33# How far
0:12:33 > 0:12:37# How far
0:12:38 > 0:12:42# To the place
0:12:42 > 0:12:44# Where hope was born?
0:12:47 > 0:12:52# How far they went to Bethlehem
0:12:52 > 0:12:56# How far you went for Calvary
0:12:56 > 0:13:01# No greater grace was ever known
0:13:01 > 0:13:06# No greater love was ever seen
0:13:06 > 0:13:10# We set our hearts on pilgrimage
0:13:10 > 0:13:15# We're caught up in your story too
0:13:15 > 0:13:20# From Bethlehem to Calvary
0:13:20 > 0:13:25# Our hearts will always follow you
0:13:25 > 0:13:30# How far
0:13:30 > 0:13:33# How far
0:13:34 > 0:13:39# Saviour, lead us to your heart
0:13:39 > 0:13:44# How far
0:13:44 > 0:13:48# How far
0:13:48 > 0:13:54# Jesus, lead us to your heart. #
0:14:00 > 0:14:04The season of Advent has many traditions associated with it,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08including, of course, the lighting of Advent candles.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12The Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin explains what they symbolise.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17We light the first candle on the first Sunday of Advent
0:14:17 > 0:14:23as a reminder of the Patriarchs - the men and women of old.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29They were courageous and they were faithful.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33The second candle is a reminder of the Prophets.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38They received the message from God, and they were going to give it
0:14:38 > 0:14:41to the people, whether the people wanted to hear it or not!
0:14:43 > 0:14:47On the third Sunday of Advent, that candle is a reminder of John
0:14:47 > 0:14:52the Baptist - the forerunner of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58On the fourth Sunday, Mary, the mother of Jesus.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02She made the incarnation - God becoming man
0:15:02 > 0:15:06and dwelling in our midst - possible.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10The fifth candle we light because Christmas is now here,
0:15:10 > 0:15:16and so we light it to represent Jesus Christ in our midst.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20The incarnation is now a reality.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38The season of Advent is all about looking forward to
0:18:38 > 0:18:39the coming of Christ.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43It's a time of joy and expectation but, for many,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45it's also a poignant moment to reflect.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49For the last 14 years,
0:18:49 > 0:18:54the Reverend Andrew Gardiner has been the Minister of Hope Baptist Church in Plymouth,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and the church's growth has been a success story.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01But 18 months ago, Andrew found out that he had cancer
0:19:01 > 0:19:03and that it was spreading.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09I was shocked beyond belief, really, to be told that I'd got cancer
0:19:09 > 0:19:12because I didn't really feel that unwell.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14So it was a huge, devastating blow.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19I've had further treatments - two courses of chemotherapy,
0:19:19 > 0:19:24and neither of those have been effective in dealing with
0:19:24 > 0:19:25the tumours in my liver.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31While he was in hospital, Andrew sensed he was receiving
0:19:31 > 0:19:36some divine inspiration in the form of lyrics to a new song.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37I was quite scared, really.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41I didn't know what was going on and I wasn't feeling good at all.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45And suddenly, these words came to me,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48and they were the beginning of the song that I wrote.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Friends and family rallied round and turned Andrew's lyrics into
0:19:53 > 0:19:58a video, which has now had thousands of views online around the world.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00# For now I know
0:20:00 > 0:20:03# His word is true
0:20:03 > 0:20:05# And I am more
0:20:05 > 0:20:08# Than my work or what I do... #
0:20:08 > 0:20:13Despite my circumstances, God has used the cancer in order to give me
0:20:13 > 0:20:18an opportunity to share my faith in Christ and to declare who Jesus is.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20And so that's been a tremendously powerful thing -
0:20:20 > 0:20:24that I can still be used by God in that way.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30In the run-up to Christmas, Andrew's family are gathering
0:20:30 > 0:20:32together as often as they can.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38The other remarkable thing is joy in God,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and that is very different from happiness.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42I am far from happy, my wife
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and children are far from happy with the situation that we find
0:20:45 > 0:20:50ourselves in, but that is different from joy in God - that I have a joy
0:20:50 > 0:20:55that is in my heart and soul through knowing him that is
0:20:55 > 0:21:01not impacted, is not wrecked, by the circumstances of my life.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04# Joy to the world!
0:21:04 > 0:21:06# The Lord... #
0:21:06 > 0:21:11Andrew has had to take the decision to stand down as the church's full-time minister,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15but his positivity continues to inspire family and friends.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21We love Andrew as a congregation and we are deeply,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24deeply moved by what's happening.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27We are praying that God will lead him through this
0:21:27 > 0:21:32and that we can have him for as long as is possible to have him.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34We just really want to stand with Andrew.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37He's got a very real faith, so we're not concerned about where
0:21:37 > 0:21:40he's going, but we are concerned about what he's going through.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44If God hadn't worked powerfully in my life
0:21:44 > 0:21:46then we wouldn't be here this evening.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51We're just going to treat this like any other Christmas.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54It's going to be special, as always.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Yeah, we'll just treasure it like we always do.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Aw.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04They say that however dark a room is that the striking of a match
0:22:04 > 0:22:08or the lighting of a candle transforms that darkness.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Reaching out to God and him coming to me through prayer,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15that has transformed the darkness.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I've known his light at work in my life.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Earlier, we met Christmas tree farmers
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Helen and Lester Bowker here in Devon.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56They gave me the job of selecting the tree
0:25:56 > 0:25:58to give to their local church.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03It'll have pride of place in St Mary's in the village of Whimple.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I'm helping the Sunday school to get it decorated.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16- ALL:- Three, two, one... Hooray!
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Brilliant job.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19In the spirit of Christmas,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22we're also packing gifts into shoe boxes for families
0:26:22 > 0:26:27in Europe, Africa and Asia who'd otherwise receive no presents.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33So I'm putting in gloves and a hat,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36because sometimes it can get really cold.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42I've got toothbrushes, some sweeties.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47Because children around the world, they don't have a lot of things.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51That we give things to them, we're, like, all the same.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I think a child might quite like...
0:26:53 > 0:26:57Sara Artingstall from the charity Samaritan's Purse UK
0:26:57 > 0:27:00organises the collection of the shoe boxes.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05We're talking 12 million boxes worldwide.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09850,000 boxes from the UK.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10So, regardless of the size of it,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14it's each individual box goes to an individual child.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19When they receive these gifts, it's such a powerful thing
0:27:19 > 0:27:21and such a joyful thing.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23You know, at Christmas, God gave us
0:27:23 > 0:27:25the greatest gift that we could have received.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I just think that sometimes people feel like,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32"What can I do to help other people?"
0:27:32 > 0:27:36But we can know that we've brought some joy somewhere with some of the
0:27:36 > 0:27:39gifts that we've distributed that have been so generously donated
0:27:39 > 0:27:41by so many people.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45And so a tree nurtured and grown on Helen and Lester's farm is now
0:27:45 > 0:27:50being used to help bring Christmas joy in their village and beyond.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53It's a real privilege that one of our trees should take centre
0:27:53 > 0:27:56stage in the middle of our community at this time of the year.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59I hope evermore numbers of people will hear
0:27:59 > 0:28:01and understand the true meaning of Christmas.
0:28:05 > 0:28:12# This is the truth sent from above
0:28:12 > 0:28:19# The truth of God The God of love
0:28:19 > 0:28:26# Therefore don't turn me from your door
0:28:26 > 0:28:30# But hearken all
0:28:30 > 0:28:36# Both rich and poor
0:28:36 > 0:28:44# The first thing that I will relate
0:28:44 > 0:28:50# That God at first did man create
0:28:50 > 0:28:58# The next thing which to you I'll tell
0:28:58 > 0:29:06# Woman was made with him to dwell
0:29:07 > 0:29:12# Then after that
0:29:12 > 0:29:16# 'Twas God's own choice
0:29:16 > 0:29:24# To place them both in Paradise
0:29:24 > 0:29:31# There to remain from evil free
0:29:31 > 0:29:39# Except they ate of such a tree
0:29:42 > 0:29:50# And at this season of the year
0:29:50 > 0:29:58# Our blest Redeemer did appear
0:29:58 > 0:30:06# And He did live and here did preach
0:30:06 > 0:30:16# And many thousands He did teach
0:30:18 > 0:30:26# God grant to all within this place
0:30:26 > 0:30:34# True saving faith, that special grace
0:30:34 > 0:30:42# Which to His people doth belong
0:30:42 > 0:30:55# And thus I close my Christmas song. #
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Well, that's almost it from our Advent journey.
0:31:02 > 0:31:08Next week, we'll be exploring Winchester's Christmas Market.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10And Sean Fletcher will be introducing a feast
0:31:10 > 0:31:13of Christmas carols, including the favourites
0:31:13 > 0:31:16of our very own Songs Of Praise presenters.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20And in case you need any more encouragement
0:31:20 > 0:31:22to get into the Christmas mood,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25we end this week with a beautiful carol
0:31:25 > 0:31:28which goes right to the heart of the Christian faith.