The reading for today from Isaiah begins with the wonderful prophecy, saying that: ‘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.’ Fast forward a few hundred years to the town of Bethlehem and come with me down a small back street and pause outside an inn. The inn is dark and silent but if we tiptoe around to the back, we will find in the shadows a doorway into a stable. Something is going on inside – there’s the soft bleating of a lamb, a rustling of the straw, the moaning of a young woman calling out in pain - and then the unmistakable sound of the cries of a new-born baby. The scene is lit by a star glowing brightly overhead, lighting up the sky with a shimmery light. Jesus has been born.For two thousand years Christians have linked the words of the prophet Isaiah with the birth of Jesus, who is worshipped as the longed-for Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ. We read from the Gospel of Luke about the shepherds hearing the jubilant song of the angels praising God and urging them to go to see the baby who they will find lying in a manger. In the Gospel of Matthew, we find the wise men following a star, believing it to portend the birth of a great king. Saint John, however,does not begin his Gospel with the story of Jesus’ birth but only refers to the ‘Word’, who ‘was with God and who was God’ and who was also ‘the light of all people.’This is the message of Christmas. Into the darkness of our world a light has come, God coming to be with us, as one of us, to experience life on earth and to save us by triumphing over darkness by absorbing and destroying the darkness within theinfinite power of love.Life may look dark right now – wars, suffering, disasters, death. There may be darkness in your own life, the darkness of grief, pain or regret. But the message of Christmas, of the baby who grew up to be the Christ, is that the darkness doesn’t win. We can trust in the One who was the Light and be filled with that same Light. That Light tells us that resurrection follows death, forgiveness follows regret, peace follows strife. We may not experience full wholeness and healing here on earth but we can ask the Light to fill us more and more, so much so that we can actually contribute to the Light in our world.However you will be spending Christmas, I pray that you will know deep joy and peace and that you can trust that, no matter what has happened or will happen in the future, ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.’Rev’d Christina Rees
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.‘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. 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.’ (Isaiah 9: 2,6)Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful...Isaiah 9:2-7The sun of righteousness has dawned with healing in his wings. Let us come to the light of Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith:Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for the day: 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.Luke 2:1-20Please see the Christmas Message from the Minister.Let us join in prayer, asking for the light of the Lord to be known to everyone as we live day by day:We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, that people will be drawn together by the love of our Lord, even when physically apart, and that this season of Christmas will be a special time for all.We pray for our planet, that lessons will be learned so that the Earth and all of its creatures will thrive, and that all people will work together in peace.We pray for our friends, families and neighbours - may we all share the love of Christ and build relationships.We pray for people who are sick or suffering, especially for those on our hearts and minds today, that they will know our Lord’s healing presence.We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn.Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught Peter and all of us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night...May Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon us, scatter the darkness from before our path, and make us ready to meet him when he comes in glory; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Do join us for our great fun Nativity/Christingle on Christmas Eve at 5pm - you can dress up if you wish, whatever your age!Our Midnight Mass service will begin at 11:30pm on 24th December.Our Family Friendly Christmas Day service begins at 10am.You are welcome to join us for worship at St Peter’s Church, whoever you are.
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2 )Hymn: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer for the day: 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. Matthew 1: 18-25Please see the message from the minister. Let us join in prayer, asking for the light of the Lord to be known to everyone: We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, that people will be drawn together by the love of our Lord, even when physically apart, and that this season leading up to Christmas will be a special time for all. We pray for our planet, that lessons will be learned so that the Earth and its creatures will thrive, and that all people will work together in peace. We pray for our friends, families and neighbours - may we all share the love of Christ and build relationships. We pray for people who are sick or suffering, especially for those on our hearts and minds today, that they will know our Lord’s healing presence. We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn. Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.Hymn: Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord...May Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon us, scatter the darkness from before our path, and make us ready to meet him when he comes in glory; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
