Flame of Love

Julie Perrin talks about Flame of Love, 2016

In this song we sing our gladness to God as we ask for the mystery of God’s presence to be with us. The first verse is calling to the Holy One and is written from the point of view of a child –

imagining the Holy Spirit as a flame that warms our hearts and makes a home there like a cradle for the Christ child. We remember Jesus was once a baby who like us needed cradling and rocking. And as we make our hearts ready, Jesus’ presence grows in us and he walks alongside us as we keep growing.

The second verse is written from the point of view of being and adult looking out on their lives and recognising all the ways the Holy Onehas been their light and warmth and laughter and comfort.

This song reminds us to make our hearts ready, to keep them open.

We sing the words ‘Holy Spirit’ in two ways: at the beginning of the song we sing the word Spirit as if we are reaching out and longing for God. In the refrain we sing the word ‘Spirit’ quickly, like the flicker of a flame. Sometimes we long for God and other times we feel God is with us as a quick bright presence.

Helen Burnham made the refrain and Julia and Elaine Potter did a brilliant job of interpreting my voice recording and arranging it into a singable song! Warm thanks to these musicians for their gracious expertise.