Christmas Festival Eucharist
Christmas Day at 10.30am come together with friends and family for Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Overview
When Christ comes, Isaiah 9:2-7 tell us: misery will end, the people will be freed, enemies will be vanquished. Yet, 2,000+ years on, there are an awful lot of people still struggling, still living in darkness.
Isaiah imagined that the Christ would be a ruler who would wield authority and the gospel, Luke 2:1-14, begins with those in authority: the emperor, the governor, the powerful but then presents us with their opposite: a tiny town in a regional backwater, a struggling family, a bunch of labouring shepherds and a vulnerable newborn. Luke seems to be implying that these people, not those in authority, are the ones whom God will use to change the world. This insignificant child’s birth signals how this might happen: around him a new community is created by bringing together those whose lives would usually keep them apart. Here, the divine stands in solidarity with the all too human, a bunch of the local, uneducated poor are joined by a group of wise, wealthy foreigners. Here is a radical new way of being in the world; a way in which no one group is privileged over another; a way that reveals what unites us and not what divides us.
This gathering begins with one person, Mary, and slowly spreads bringing in Joseph, animals, strangers, foreigners and, as Jesus grows, will go on to bring the marginalised and the sick together with Roman officials and religious leaders. For us, who know a lot about a world divided, it offers the hope that there is something stronger that unites us if only we would take the same risk that God took, that Mary took, that Christ took, the risk of embracing, learning from and being transformed by others.
FIRST READING
Isaiah, 9:2-7
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 onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
GOSPEL
Luke 2:1-14
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!’
This year we are supporting South London Christmas Dinner, The Children’s Society, Christian Aid and Holy Spirit Clapham
