Christmas Worship

Welcome to Christmas in Leesfield Parish. If you weren't able to be with us in person for any of our services, you will find carols and much more below. 

Our first Carol is "O Holy Night"

A Reading from the Gospel of John 1:1-5         The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

A Christmas Message from the Bishop of Manchester

One of my favourite pieces of Christmas art was painted by the 17th century Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It shows two women, one of them Mary, gazing at the new-born Jesus, who is lying in His manger. The only source of light in the picture seems to come from the child Himself. It lights up the happy faces bent over Him. But everything else is totally dark. In a single image it encapsulates what St John addresses through words in the marvellous opening passage of His gospel. Here is unquenchable light, clothed in human form, shining out into a world of darkness. 

St John wrote his gospel to Christians who lived in dark times, theirs was an age when hostile and brutal powers ruled the earth. When we look at our times, they often do not appear much brighter. Wars rage across the globe. Famine and terror drive many to seek refuge in foreign lands. Human made climate change destroys crops and devastates natural environments. The nations of our globe lie in thrall to a handful of powerful men, just as ruthless as any Roman Caesar. Yet in the midst of that darkness, Christ is, as ever, present, His birth standing as a divine assurance that the darkness will never totally win.

I turn to Rembrandt’s image when things feel especially dark. There I see not only the light emanating from Jesus, but also its reflection in the faces of the women. They, and others who see His light and reflect it, will go on to change the world for ever, and for better. In his name they will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend the sick, educate the children, bring peace to warring states. In short, they will do miracles. And so can we. 

My prayer therefore, is that, as we celebrate Christ’s birth, we may both reflect His light and also celebrate the light we see reflected in one another – in acts of kindness, in shared worship, and in the love and service that binds our communities together. 

May God bless you richly this Christmastide. 

Bishop David

The second Carol is "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

For all the family to enjoy, here is a video from the Church of England entitled "The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas".

The third Carol is "It was on a Starry Night"

Our Prayers

Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise
as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.
Amen.

Our final Christmas Carol today is "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

Notices

Well done to everybody who came Carol Singing around Lees with us on Monday evening, and collecting donations for the Booth Centre for homeless people in Manchester. We had a great time, and brought joy to people of all ages in the village.

Next week's Sunday Service will be a Parish Eucharist at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church, and there will be no service at St Agnes' on that day.

Wishing you all a blessed and joyous Christmas,

From all at the churches of Leesfield Parish