On Christmas Eve at 4pm the first of our Christmas Services was a gift service for the children. At this service the children brought up the figures for our nativity, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds and quite a lot of sheep as you can see! This is the service that we normally hold on Christmas morning. In this year of Pandemic, on the verge of moving into the highest tier of precautions we were not able to hold a Midnight Mass for the Nativity. Our main Christmas service was the Eucharist of the Nativity on Christmas morning, celebrated by Father Stephen at 10 am. The choir sang in a socially distanced manner some carols, and the setting by Darke of 'In the Bleak Midwinter'.  We left wishing each other a merry christmas from a safe distance!

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The people who walked in darkness 

have seen a great light; 

those who lived in a land of deep darkness— 

on them light has shined. 

You have multiplied the nation, 

you have increased its joy; 

they rejoice before you 

as with joy at the harvest, 

as people exult when dividing plunder. 

For the yoke of their burden, 

and the bar across their shoulders, 

the rod of their oppressor, 

you have broken as on the day of Midian. 

For all the boots of the tramping warriors 

and all the garments rolled in blood 

shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 

For a child has been born for us, 

a son given to us; 

authority rests upon his shoulders; 

and he is named 

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

His authority shall grow continually, 

and there shall be endless peace 

for the throne of David and his kingdom. 

He will establish and uphold it 

with justice and with righteousness 

from this time onward and forevermore. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ accoerding to Luke.

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 Savior, 

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!"