You are welcome to join us in church (but let us know you are coming as limited places) or on zoom.
Topic: Christmas Nativity
Time: Dec 24, 2020 from 03:50 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84830265184?pwd=RWM5cjJvTGZZVFV3Rlo1SzZvU0pvZz09
Meeting ID: 848 3026 5184
Passcode: 017472
Updated: Dec 25, 2020
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88024925813?pwd=WjFQaU1ncHcxc0c1RThSRGJUZ210QT09
Meeting ID: 880 2492 5813
Passcode: 375387
I bring you news of great joy
A Saviour has been born to you. Alleluia
Unto us a child is born
Unto us a son is been given. Alleluia
He is Christ the Lord Alleluia
We worship and adore him Alleluia
Hymn: O Come all ye faithful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPcGmrS5yDA
Confession
As we kneel with the shepherds before the newborn Christ child,
we open our hearts in penitence and faith.
Lord of grace and truth,
we confess our unworthiness
to stand in your presence as your children.
We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus.
Forgive our disobedience to your will.
We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.
Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision.
We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King.
Forgive our reluctance to seek you.
We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
May the God of all healing and forgiveness
draw you to himself,
and cleanse you from your sins
that you may behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh, Jesus our Lord.
Amen
We light the Christmas Candle
The Collect
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
Hymn: See him Lying on a Bed of Straw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79h_5jhzT7Q
The Gospel Reading:
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory.
Alleluia.
Here the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 1:1-14
Glory to you O Lord
1 In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3 Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. 4 The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.
6 God sent his messenger, a man named John, 7 who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 9 This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.
10 The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 12 Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. 13 They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father.
14 The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ
The Sermon
We have learnt lot about communication this year.
We do make an effort most Christmases to communicate with other people- perhaps for the only time in the year..
But this year especially we’ve learnt how much staying in touch means. But also how much actual touch means.
Phones, tablets, the dreaded zoom, whatsapp have served us very well. We would have been lost without such things. But we’re also really missing face to face communication. Being there with someone. Hugging and hand shakes; physically being close.
Throughout the centuries, God has communicated with his people. First through founders of his people- Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah and all of Jacob’s family, then through the Moses, the law and the prophets.
And though people heard God and experienced God, it wasn’t the same as being with God. For most ordinary people there was an intermediary- someone who came between them and God himself.
Then Jesus came. Jesus came as a baby not only to talk to people and teach people when he grew up but also to be just like us, live a human life, experience all that we do.
God was no longer distant. God came to live among us. And by his Spirit, we can experience God first hand. Not second hand through someone else or inherited in tradition.
We are know and can know God intimately; as our greatest parent, friend and brother.
For us the restrictions in communication, even though made so much more possible by technology, will end. We are going to be together again.
And so too, because of Christmas, because Jesus came to live among us, we can become children of God- and know Him completely.
The Creed
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Prayers
Jesus, whose mother was Mary:
we pray for … families.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, cradled in a manger:
we pray for …the homeless, refugees.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, sharing the stable with the animals:
we pray for … all your world.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, worshipped by shepherds and kings:
we pray for … the countries of the world.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, our Emmanuel:
we pray for … those in particular need.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
The Peace
Unto us a Son is born unto us a Son is given
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer another a sign of peace
Hymn: Silent Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEH7_2c644Q&list=PLfSd4zesHkefjKqtR3O4AS1MRD17ZfIBH&index=8
Holy Communion
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is indeed right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;
in your love you made us for yourself.a
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
We continue with the words of The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
Song: Mary did you know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1H1-scfD1s
Prayer of Spiritual Communion
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits you have given me,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen
The 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, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now and remain with you always.
Amen
Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCt1s44cfMM
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83556211775?pwd=dXp6NE9nMW1lTTNVUmdYa2dBVElHQT09
Meeting ID: 835 5621 1775 Passcode: 489409
The Annunciation
We light the 4th candle today for Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today we think about the visitation by Gabriel announcing the good news of the coming of the long awaited Messiah.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen
God is creation
God is history
God is here with us
God is mystery
God is blessing
God is here with us
Song…O Come O come Emmanuel
We light this candle for all God-bearers,
saying “yes” to God’s challenge,
accepting the pain and joy of an unknown future.
O God, as we wait for your promise,
give light, give hope
Advent a time of watching and waiting…
As farmers wait for rainfall
As prisoners wait for freedom
We wait for the coming of God
As exiles yearn for home
As peacemakers yearn for justice
We long for the coming of God
As travellers search for shelter
As disciples look for answers
We prepare for the coming of God
Our Confession:
God, through Jesus Christ,
will judge the secret thoughts of all:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory
with salvation for your people:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Absolution
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Collect
Eternal God,
as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,
so we wait for his coming in glory;
bring us through the birth pangs of this present age
to see, with her, our great salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Old Testament Reading: 2 Samuel 7v 1-11, 16 Read by Margaret.
7 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.
16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Song-Tell out my soul
The Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-38 read by Elisabeth
Alleluia alleluia
I am the light of the world says the Lord
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
Glory to you, O Lord
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ
The Sermon
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. “ Luke 1:30-31.
This account is given to us by Luke. Luke was a doctor and used to giving reports.
His gospel starts with…
Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.
His gospel is only one of two that give us any general details of Jesus birth and Luke is very careful to record this down right- in Luke we get the Nativity story- starting from the angel appearing to Zechariah and promising him and his older wife, a son who would be the forerunner of the Messiah- preparing the way for him- John the Baptist.
And then the Annunciation- the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary announcing the entrance into our humanity of God himself, as the Son through her.
The only other gospel which records this is Matthew albeit in a briefer way.
And although the Nativity story is obviously important, so too is the underlying theme of a promise fulfilled by God. Albeit centuries after it was made.
Our first reading is from the 2nd book of Samuel which took place in the time of the prophet Nathan. Nathan was the prophet in King David’s time. David wanted to build God a permanent dwelling place but God spoke to him through Nathan, saying that he had never desired a permanent dwelling place otherwise he would have spoken so to previous leaders. God did say however, that in David’s time, there would be only plans made but the house of God would be built by his son, Solomon.
Nathan and David
Yet this building of houses was reciprocal – God would not only have a house built by David’s descendant, but also God would build David a house. The word “House” in Hebrew also meant temple and dynasty.
God’s house would be the resplendent temple built in the reign of King Solomon and the house of David would be his dynasty.
The promise made by God, to establish the kingdom of David forever, was made true, was fulfilled… by the birth of Jesus- a direct descendant of King David.
To be able to fulfil his promise made so long ago to King David, God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience God has ever asked of anyone.
But I also think he chose her for her resilience. This task- this being the mother of the promised Messiah would also test her to her limits. She would suffer much pain in her heart, she would be ridiculed by her peers and even her fiancé would become doubtful of her love- even to the point of leaving her. Her own son would be rejected and murdered on a cross.
From both our Old and New Testament readings , there are lessons for us today.
King David was told he could not build God’s dwelling place- the magnificent temple- that was for his son to create. Accepting God’s answer of no, takes as much faith as saying yes. Although this must have been very trying and disappointing for David, in God’s greater plan, David was earmarked for something very special.
Had Mary not obeyed- had not submitted to God’s greater plan, then where would the world’s salvation be?
So how do we bring this fulfilment of promise and the obedience of Mary to this time of 2020?
Have a look at this modern icon of Mary called “Our Lady of the Pandemic” by the Reverend Cecile Schnyder.
What do you see in this picture?
It is the front of a Christmas card from Bishop Christopher. Inside there is a short poem by Elisabeth Coleridge entitled “I saw a Stable”…
I saw a stable, low and very bare
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men he was a stranger.
The safety of the world was lying there.
And the world’s danger.
Bishop Christopher says…
Celebrating Christmas in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic calls us to reflect, as the poet does, upon the safety and danger of the world. In Coleridge’s poem, we witness the Christ Child at his most vulnerable, and in a most fragile setting. The stable is a makeshift hospital ward, not unlike those which have been built out of necessity across the world over these last months. And yet, therein lies our safety; in the saving power of Jesus Christ- God in our midst, born of Mary- who enters the dangers of the world and overcomes them.
The maternal care of Mary, depicted in the icon “Our Lady of the Pandemic”, calls to mind all those who care for the vulnerable and pray for their deliverance, trusting as she did, in “God’s” promise. Amen.
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers led by
Let us pray to the Lord:
At the end of the prayers we say…
Merciful Father
Accept these prayers
For the sake of your Son
Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
The Peace
In the tender mercy of our God,
the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,
to give light to those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you
God, in our midst, promise keeper, Light in our darkness.
Song- Waymaker
Holy Communion
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is indeed right and good,
to give you thanks and praise,
almighty God and everlasting Father
through Jesus Christ your Son.
He is the one foretold by all the prophets,
whom the Virgin Mary bore
with love beyond all telling.
John the Baptist was his herald
and made him known when at last he came.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
In his love Christ fills us with joy
as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
So that when he comes again
he may find us watching in prayer,
our hearts filled with wonder and praise.
And so, with angels and archangels
and all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.
We continue in the prayer that Jesus taught us… the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
Song during Holy Communion
Breath of Heaven
Prayer of Spiritual Communion
For those joining us from home
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits you have given me,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen
We say together
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory.
Amen.
The Blessing
May God the Father,
who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son,
give you grace to prepare for life eternal.
Amen.
May God the Son,
who comes to us as redeemer and judge,
reveal to you the path from darkness to light.
Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit,
by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ,
help you bear the fruits of holiness.
Amen.
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Final song
The Virgin Mary had a baby boy
Notices for this week
With love and compassion,
come, Lord Jesus.
With judgement and mercy,
come, Lord Jesus.
In power and glory,
come, Lord Jesus.
In wisdom and truth,
come, Lord Jesus.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Please join together in your homes for
refreshments after the service