Christmas Joy
Welcome to our Christmas Worship in Leesfield Parish. Our services are at 11.30 pm at St Thomas' Church, and 9.15 am on Christmas Day at St Agnes'.
If you are not able to be with us in person, you can find some Christmas Carols and worship resources below.
Our friends from the Churches of St Barnabas Clarksfield and Holy Trinity Waterhead have kindly agreed to share the transcript of their Midnight Mass service with us, and you can acces this by following this link - Medlock Head resources Midnight Mass
Christmas Carol - How Far is it to Bethlehem
The Collect for Midnight Mass -
Christmas Carol - It CameUpon the Midnight Clear
The Gospel
Luke 2 :1-20
The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Christmas Carol - O Holy Night
A Christmas Blessing -
May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Christmas Carol - O Come, All Ye Faithful
Tomorrow's Christmas Morning Service on the BBC comes from Manchester Cathedral. You can watch on BBC1 or IPlayer at 10.15 am.
Wishing you all a Joyful Christmas and a hope-filled New Year.
