The Holly and the Ivy,

The Holly and the Ivy, 

Are dancing in a ring, 

Round the berry-bright red candles,

and the white and shining King.

And Christ is in the centre, 

For this is His birthday,

With the shining lights of Christmas,

Singing: He has come today.

Emily Chisholm 1910-1991 Taken from Hymns and Psalms

Prayer

This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart. Fill me with Your presence from the very start. As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven. The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever. You came as a baby born in a manger. Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree, waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me. Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth, when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth. Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night. And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light." "Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field. Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield. Make me like those shepherds obedient to Your call. Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all. Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice. Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush. In the midst of this day I want to feel Your love. This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart. Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part. Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day. Keep me close to You, Lord as I celebrate your birthday. For It's in Your wonderful Name I pray. Amen

Libera - Carol of the Bells (New) - YouTube

Today is Christmas day (Christ's mass). But for the first 300 years of Christianity, it wasn't so. Lent and Easter were the big Church celebrations

So when was Christmas first celebrated?.

In an old list of Roman bishops, compiled in A. D. 354 these words appear for A.D. 336: "25 Dec.: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae."

which translates as 25^th December Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea. 

So to answer the question is this day, 336,A.D.

This is the first recorded celebration of Christmas found so far.

CHRISTIANS AWAKE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeUf2cnyRrg

Happy Christmas. Christ Is born Hallelujah.

Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 2: 1 – 12

The Birth of Jesus

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.

Please watch this next song right through it has a lovely ending.

Angles from the realms of Glory

Angels from the Realms of Glory - The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens and David Archuleta - YouTube

Of all the people the Angels came to the Shepherds who would have been on the bottom of the list. The shepherds would provide the lamb for the passover

God always does what humans never think will happen.

All of us have fallen from His grace by our sins, But God does not leave us, for his love is deeper, wider, higher, never ending. He gave the world the best gift he could ever have given. God gave us His only son, that by him all may be forgiven. Yes forgiven to the very uttermost. That means if we trust in His son Jesus and tell him we are sorry, we will receive the gift of eternal life. And thank god for his love.

So if we are fortunate to have a gift to open this morning, give God thanks.

Even if we are unable to be with our families and friends this year, We are able to hold them in our thoughts and prayers.

Tune for Rudolf the red nosed reindeer

Rudolf the red nosed Reindeer - YouTube

Joseph and his wife Mary

had a very tiring day
When they got to Beth -le -hem
There was not a place to stay
One of the hotel keepers
Led them to the stable door
There Mary had her baby
placed him on a bed of straw.

There were shepherds in the field
Angels came to say:
" fear not our lights are bright
Go and see God's Child this night "

Then all the shepherds ran there
as they shouted out with glee,
Jesus the son of Mary
you'll go down in history!

By Susannah Youdan 

As you think of the people in you lives and the gifts you were given over the years remember also the gifts God has given you, by using these gifts you are sharing the gift of God’s love with others.

Prayer

Lord and Giver of all good things, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. The Magi travelled for miles to bring the Christ child the first Christmas presents. So may I, too, remember with a thankful heart the love that comes with each present opened. I a thank you for my family and friends please will be with them and fill them with your Joy and peace. Thank you for the love you have for each of us, There are many gifts that you give me, especially the gift of life itself. Amen.

Wonderful Gift.

Wonderful Gift_Naomi Raine (Lyrics) - YouTube

St Matthew Chapter 2: 1 – 12

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi  from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
 who will shepherd my people Israel.” Micah 5:2,4

 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

We three Kings.

Even thou this has a funny side the message is still there if there is any young children in the family I thought this would amuse them, it made me smile.

We Three Kings - Claymation Christmas HQ - YouTube

Poem

The greatest gift by Ron Tranmer

When Christmas shopping is finally done,
wrapped gifts lie ‘neath a tree
that sparkles bright with tinsel and light
for everyone to see.

Each gift has been selected
with thoughtfulness and care.
Brining joy with evey toy
and other gifts we bear.

But let us keep within our heart
the much greater gift than these.
One from above, with God’s great love
should bring us to our knees.

A gift of birth to all on Earth.
A gift that’s far from small.
To everyone, He gave His Son...
The greatest gift of all.

If you are reading this before your Christmas meal you may like to use this grace. Written by David Bennett

Lord of All, we give you thanks for your abundance, and for all the great things you have given us, especially the birth of Your Son on this day. We ask your blessing upon this food, and upon our friends and family. We also pray that in your great mercy, you would look kindly upon all those in need this day. We pray in Jesus name, Amen

Joy to the world

Joy to the World - Traditional Choir - YouTube

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. Susannah & Jonathan