Happy New Year. It is World Peace Sunday.
All glory to God on high, and to the earth be peace.
Good morning, we are celebrating the arrival of the shepherds.
The Holy Bible does not tell us how many, or even if they took a lamb or sheep with them, but what we do know is they found the baby born in a manger.
Our first song is a traditional Polish Christmas carol.
Infant holy, infant lowly,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnLRxEqayl8
New International Version Bible
Gospel of St. Luke. Chapter 2: verses 1 – 20
1 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 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 favour rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
This is a made up story but it gives a feel of that night.
My name is Rebekah. My husband is Ira, we are Hebrew Jews. Ira means "watchful one", he worked late afternoons and through the night caring for sheep. Night always came quickly and the temperature would drop. Each evening my daughter and I would put on our thick shawls and take him a hamper and hot stew in a sealed pot. He would eat as soon as he received it. Then gave his daughter his blessing and we would hurry home along with other women who had taken food for the other shepherds, before the town gates were locked, the guard on the gate knew us and would watch for us returning and would close the gate once we were through. I could not help but worry with all the wild animals especially at lambing time. But I trusted God that he would keep him and his friends safe.
Ira always wished that he could worship at the synagogue, But he was not able to keep to the prayer times or to keep the sabbath holy, but he went when he could. Most weeks we went and sat with the women but the most of the priests were welcoming when he attended because they knew at the passover they would receive the best of the flock.
But I will always remember that one special morning, I had never seen Ira so excited. He told how the Angels frightened them in the middle of the night. But the words one of them uttered was so calming so peaceful he had never experienced anything like it. He and his friends were to be calm and unworried
I wondered what this meant for all people. Ira told me that the angels had sung music like he had never heard; so beautiful the words resounded he said they would stay with him for ever. I listened with awe as he sang to me “All glory to God on high, and to the earth be peace; goodwill from this time on from heaven to men, begin and never cease!’ I had never heard him sing before I know it was not as he heard, but Wow what a night.
Will the world ever be the same again, the words echoing through my mind
All glory to God on high, and to the earth be peace.
Our next carol is
While Shepherds watched their flocks by night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KpQ50adkSY
We pray for peace,
We
pray for peace, but not the easy peace
built on complacency and
not the truth of God.
We pray for real peace, the peace God's
love alone can seal.
We pray for peace, but not the cruel
peace,
leaving God's poor bereft and dying in distress,
we
pray for real peace, enriching all humanity
We pray for
peace, and not the evil peace,
defending unjust laws and
nursing prejudice,
but for the real peace of justice, truth
and brotherhood
We pray for peace, and for the sake of
peace,
look to the Jesus Christ who gives the grace we need,
to
serve the cause of peace and make our own self-sacrifice.
God,
give us peace: if you withdraw your love,
there is no peace for
us Nor any hope of it.
With you to lead us on, through death or
tumult, peace will come.
Alan Gaunt 1935-
Lord
God, not every region on earth is the same. In some areas, war is
all they have ever known. Their lives and families have been torn
apart by the hellish ravages of war. Lord, I pray that You intervene
by Your mighty power. Grant understanding where there is none.
Lord Jesus, You came that the world might know the peace that You have experienced with the Father eternally. Yet, You taught us that in this life there will be wars and rumours of wars. Nations will rise against nations as violence works itself out in the world. However, through You, the world may be saved. O Lord, send Your spirit into the hearts of all people, that the world might know true peace through Your abundant mercy. Amen.
Holy Spirit by your power we pray for those who have never listened to the message of Christ’s birth we pray for those who have winter but no Christmas bringing them peace on earth, sent to them joyful tidings by all people in each home May they praise God and know that Christ has come.
Our next carol is
Cradled in a manger meanly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqeXbhwI7qE
Gospel of St. John Chapter 14: 21 - 27 (Amplified Bible )
21 The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him. 24 One who does not [really] love Me does not keep My words. And the word (teaching) which you hear is not Mine, but is the Father’s who sent Me. 25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
our next song is:
Let there be love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mvs6rMJuwc
Poem. This we can do By Brian Wren
This we can do for justice and for peace: be still, with time to pray
and heed the prayers that other people say.
This we can do, for Christ was born for us
revealing God, whose gracious, winning love awakens a deep desire
to do what we can do, and see it through.
This we can do for justice and for peace: reach out, and gladly give,
that others too may eat, and laugh, and live.
This we can do, for Christ, with wine and bread,
brings food to satisfy us all and lifts our thankful hearts
to do what we can do, and see it through.
This we can do for justice and for peace: sing out, and shed our fear,
when angry foes abuse and domineer.
This we can do, for Christ, unjustly killed,
arises over governments and powers, and gives us peaceful strength
to do what we can do, and see it through.
This we can do for justice and for peace press on, and keep in view
a dream of peace on earth, and all things new.
This we can do, for Christ, alive in God,
from God's tomorrow touches us with hope, and gives us faith renewed,
to do what we can do, and see it through.
Lord we pray for peace from the tempest, peace from war.
Peace from home abuse, peace from mental torment, peace from life of stress. Peace from the strife of illness. fill us with Peace that passes all understanding
Christmas – Peace.
P. is for Praise of God
E. is for Emmanuel God is with us.
A. is for Angels voices singing
C. is for Christ born to live in us.
E. is for the gift of Eternal life, and peace .
S. Youdan. 1959 -
Prayer
Thank you Lord for taking away our sin with your love. Help us to hear the voice of the Angels and help us repeat the message of peace to all. Help us to be peacemakers. We thank you for the Shepherd’s all those years ago who spread your message. Through them we know that you are ever with us. Abide with in us, and fill us with your peace Our lord Immanuel. Amen
last Carol is
Hark the herald angels sing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe6X7PyCKDY
May the Love of God dwell within you
may the grace of Christ surround you
may may the power of the holy spirit fill you with His peace.
Amen
Benediction to listen to The Millennium Prayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL9yDb134Rk
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