All are welcome to join us in our Sunday morning Eucharist services on the fourth Sunday of Advent, 9.15 m at St Agnes' Church and 11 am at St Thomas'. The wearing of face coverings is mandatory, and other precautions are in place to keep everyone safe.
This evening at 6.30 pm we have our traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Thomas' Church.
If you're not able to be with us in person, the Gospel, a reflection and prayers are shown below, with some hymns, and we will share a Church of England Carol Service this evening.
Our first hymn today is a beautiful version of the Magnificat, by Bernadette Farrell
Today's Gospel
Luke 1:39-45(46-55) Mary visits Elizabeth
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
[And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.]
Reflection
A few years ago, well December 2018 to be exact – Edith gave me the following short article to include in the parish magazine. I guess today many of our younger parishioners would call it a meme in todays parlance.
I recall wondering what sort of response it would provoke but to the best of my knowledge no one said anything.
The poignancy was obvious as at the time there were many people commenting in the media about the refugees ‘invading’ Europe from Syria, Africa and other countries. In addition, our streets had record numbers of homeless people, many of whom felt the need to resort to drugs and alcohol as an escape mechanism from the stark reality of their lives.
Yet here in today’s Gospel reading we have the wonderful story of Mary. By many accounts it is estimated that she was only around 15 years old when she became pregnant and to make matters worse, she was also unmarried. This would have brought immense shame and disgrace on Mary and her whole family. They would have been shunned, subject to constant gossip and condemnation.
No wonder that Mary flees from the small village and heads to the hills to her relative Elizabeth. The fact that a young girl would travel alone any great distance was also a cause for concern and would have been deemed most improper. But despite all the events that have turned her world upside down, Mary has utmost trust and confidence in God. She is truly blessed, for she knows because she is a virgin the words of the angel are true and that she is carrying the saviour of the world. This is re-iterated when Elizabeth too is filled with the Holy Spirit and says “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”. And Elizabeth’s unborn child, John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and ‘leapt for joy’ – a sign that he recognised Jesus and would be the one to prepare the way for his coming in later years.
Mary reflects on all of this, and despite the hardship and contempt she has endured, her heart is clearly full of joy at the blessing that has been bestowed on her by God. Her confidence and trust in Him to make all things well and turn the world around is absolute as she sings what we now refer to as the Magnificat. I ask you to read it again and look once more at the meme.
Many of the issues that were concerning folk back in 2018 are still prevalent and arguably exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. Whilst we may not consider ourselves rich, most of us have a roof over our heads and food on our tables. Maybe we too need to count our blessings and think if there is any more we can do? How might we help our Lord turn things around?
As we all prepare for the coming of the Lord, what might make our hearts leap for joy? I wish you all a very happy and joyful Christmas.
Paul
Our Prayers
Most Holy and Blessed Lord,
We thank you for giving us Mary as our Holy Mother.
Thank you for her kindness, selflessness, wisdom and power.
Let us show the same confidence to trust you as she did,
And let our hearts too leap for joy and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
May the light of Mary’s enduring love shine upon every one of us
And may she guide us to You our Saviour and Divine Master.
Amen
Our final hymn this morning is "The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came"
