Link to St Mary's music blog
25 December 2022
10:00 | 
Posted by
Dr Platts |
On Christmas morning we had a Family Service at 10 am Now the crib contains the baby and the Sheperds are visiting!
Lots of people of all ages joined in the traditional carols and celebrated the birth of Our Lord.
Father Chris had help from some of the younger members of the congregation opening some very different looking presents to discover the same gift inside! We are all different but at the same time inside we are all the children of God. He also blew up a balloon, with some effort to represent our being filled with God's Love!
The Choir sang 'In the Bleak Midwinter' Words Christina Rossetti, setting Harold Darke. Hilary Platts sang the solo
We wished each other a merry Christmas and set off home for Lunch!!
Our warm space, cuppa and a chat will be available in the rooms on Thursday from 2 to 4, do come along. If transport is difficult contact us and we will arrange to get you!
A reading from the book of the prophet Micah.
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
If the Assyrians come into our land
and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven shepherds
and eight installed as rulers.
Titus 3:4-7
A reading from the letter of Paul to Titus.
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.
Luke 2:1-14
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according 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 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!’
