Song “Tua Bethlehem Dref”
Opening Prayer
From a dark womb, bathed in starlight, into a world sorely in need of you, you are born.
Lighting of all the Advent Candles
When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you, and like the angels at your birth, share Gods good news with those who are poor, excluded and afraid.
Carol “See him lying on a bed of straw”
The Lords Prayer in our own language
The Nativity Rap2 https://youtu.be/LvCAYceUBxc
Reading Luke 2v1-14
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Carol “The Virgin Mary had a baby boy”
Christmas thoughts
Isaiah speaks of a light in the darkness. There will be light in the darkness for Gods people.
Against the backdrop of Roman oppression and a loveless census the angels were singing a new song. The song is in contrast with the decree. It begins with a barren old woman, Elizabeth, a dumb old man, Zechariah, Elizabeth’s young cousin Mary and shepherds, who were poor. Those who have groaned under the oppression of the Romans, the King and the religious leaders will find they have a new freedom and the old order will soon be gone.
The old order was about laws and judgement. Just when Gods people had almost abandoned hope, the new order comes in the prophesies and songs of Elizabeth, Mary and the shepherds and is expressed in amazement because it cannot be contained in the old ways of thinking and the promises are back on the agenda.
Jesus birth begins with solidarity with ordinary people, shepherds, animals and conflict with the authorities. The old order is ending and indeed does end, but people rarely give up power peacefully. Herod’s reign was oppressive and seemed eternal but it like the Roman Empire eventually ceases.
We live in similar dark Covid times but God is with us, within us, born as a human being, suffering as we suffer.
God spoke to the poorest of people and and honoured them. Help us this Christmas to be brave and focus on what is really important in our lives and in our world. We pray that God will be incarnated, born again in our hearts, in our lives, in our communities, in our nation and that we will see the powerful humbled and the humble exalted and a new way of being inaugurated. God with us. Immanuel. Amen
Prayers for others
Jesus Christ, born in a stable, help us to help the homeless, to support young mothers, to appreciate those at work this Christmas and care for refugees and asylum seekers.
Amen
Blessing
Take us to Bethlehem, House of Bread
Where the hungry are filled
And the satisfied sent empty away
Where the poor find riches
And the rich recognize their poverty
And all who worship are filled with awe.
Carol “Joy to the world” https://youtu.be/6oOwa0CWVVQ
