Christmas Worship
Welcome to our Christmas Worship in Leesfield Parish. Our Midnight Mass is at 11.30 pm at St Thomas' Church, and Christmas Morning Eucharist is at 9.15 am at St Agnes' Church. All are warmly invited to join us at this very special time, whether you usually attend church or not.
If you're unable to be with us in person, you'll find the Gospel Reading, a short reflection, and a prayer below, together with a few Christmas Carols to sing along to at home.
Our first carol is "Once in Royal David's City"
Today's Gospel
Luke 2:1-14(15-20) 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. Nazareth Joseph also went from the town of 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,
[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.]
Our second carol is "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
Reflection
Well here it is again, and this year, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, so we have a double reason to worship and praise God today! Let me start by wishing everyone a heartfelt message of joy and blessings this Christmas Day.
Hopefully, for a lot of folk, despite the current economic situation, there will still be much celebrating, opening of presents and lots of tasty seasonal food, including of course the ubiquitous brussels sprouts!
Unfortunately, for some people things will not be quite so good, because there is still so much real hardship and many are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet without the added pressure of Christmas. This year more than ever we need to hold in or hearts and think about the poor, the lonely and the homeless, both in and beyond our community.
If we look a little closer at this nativity scene, we should perhaps reflect that in this story of our Lord Jesus Christ’s birth, Jesus does not come to us born in a palace with wealth and influence. Rather, he comes to us in very austere and humble circumstances. He was born in the most basic of conditions and his parents didn’t have nice new clothes for the infant or a nice hotel. From the very moment Jesus came into the world, he experienced what it must be like to have very little, to be poor. Jesus was born where he needed to be, with the poor and the needy.
Luke tells us that Mary treasured the story of the shepherds, when they came to see Jesus. The shepherds were deemed as outcasts in those days, disrespected by most and often considered as untrustworthy or unclean. They were even shunned by the church for working on the Sabbath. But God chose to send his angels to them first with this huge message of joy and these outcasts had the privilege of being the first to pay respect to Jesus and Mary.
God chose to send his son amongst those who were most in need, and to share the good news with those who were looked down upon by society. God chooses to bring joy to those who need him most; and throughout his ministry, Jesus would always love and care for the poor too. He makes time for those in need. Not only did He set us an example, but He also made it absolutely clear, that if we want to be part of His Kingdom, it is also our duty to love and look after those in most need. Perhaps we could be one of God’s messengers this Christmas and bring joy to someone in need.. Paul
The third carol is "Whilst Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night"
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
