Christmas Morning Worship
Welcome to our Christmas Morning Worship! Our Parish Christmas Eucharist is at 10 am in St Thomas' Church, with our own Revd David preaching and presiding. We do have quite a lot of space to seat everyone safely in church, but if you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.
Our first Carol this morning is "Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn" -
A Christmas message from Ruth -
There are several significant days, which we celebrate towards the end of December and the beginning of January. Of course, I am referring to the Christian celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on December 25th and, and then a New Year following on, which is often traditionally "welcomed in" on New Year's Eve, on the 31st December.
I have often wondered why the 25th December was chosen as the day to celebrate the coming into the world of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible doesn't refer to it being a winter's night. However, there is a strong link to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year on 21st December in the Northern Hemisphere.
After the 21st December, the days start to lengthen and the amount of daylight increases. In this, there is a reminder that Jesus, "The Light of the World" is born, and people respond to the hope of lighter and brighter days to come.
Janus, who gives us the name of the first month of the year (January), is depicted as a god with two faces--one face looking back into the past year and the other looking to the coming year.
For us, it is sometimes acceptable to look back and examine the past, especially if it shows us a positive way forward, but we are strongly encouraged to focus more strongly on the future, 'though informed by past experience, if it also helps us to encourage others in "the hope which is set before us" through the light of Christ.
May I wish you all a Happy and healthy Christmas and a Bright and Hopeful New Year.
With love and prayers,
Ruth
A Message from David -
Think about the really beautiful words in Christina Rossetti’s beautiful carol, “In the bleak mid winter”
“What can I give him, poor as I am
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb:
If I were a wise man, I would do my part
But what I can I give Him
Give ... my heart!”
There is a wonderfully simple yet challenging message to aspire to – don’t you think!
David
Here is a lovely performance of "In the Bleak Mid Winter" by Ellie Knott, who has played at many Carol services in the past, and her friend Cameron -
A Reading from the New Testament -
Titus 3:4-7
When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Carol - "Joy to the World" -
Gospel
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
[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.]
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.
Archdeacon Karen Lund has prepared this wonderful and inspiring reflection for Christmas Day -
Carol - "Ding Dong Merrily on High" -
Our Prayers for Christmas Day -
Father Almighty,
We thank You and praise You today for the miracle of Your Son's birth.
Thank You for bringing great JOY to the whole world!
Thank You for giving us the assurance that because You came to us in the form of a human,
we who believe in Jesus can know with certainty that we'll spend eternity with You.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
true God from true God,
you became a little child for us so the world you made would be saved.
Just as a child is born to us and a Son is given to us,
may we be born again through you
and always remain in the number
of God’s faithful children;
through your will, O blessed Saviour,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign,
one God,
now and forever.
Amen.
Our final carol for today is "O Come, All Ye Faithful" -
