Week beginning 7th January

 

Reading: Psalm 68: verse 29

Prayer:

Shepherd of Israel,

you sent a star to enlighten the wise

and a child to topple the tyrant.

Make us wise enough to seek you

among the least of your children,

wise enough to trade our treasure

for the gift of overwhelming joy. Amen.

Song: As with gladness, men of old

As with Gladness Men of Old (StF 224) - YouTube

Prayer:

How can we not sing your praise
with heart and soul
and proclaim your name
throughout the world?
God of creation,
Awesome in power,
Sustainer,
Provider,
Saviour,
Father of all,
there is none like you!
How can we not declare your glory
through all that we are,
and proclaim your name
throughout this world?
You are our strength,
the light by which we walk,
the truth by which we talk.
You are our hope,
the promise to which we hold,
the story that must be told.
You are the peace
this world cannot provide,
that overcomes our pride.
You are our God,
the One whose name we praise
to whom our hands are raised. Amen

Faithful God,
you call us to be saints,
but we are more comfortable with the role of sinner;
you call us to be your servants,
but we worry that we lack the skills to do your work;
you put a new song of praise in our mouths,
but we stumble on unfamiliar words;
you show us the work to be tackled,
but we turn away defiant,
insisting we have more important things to do.

Put your song on our lips and in our hearts,
and remind us of the joy that awaits us
when we put our trust in you.

You are faithful and ever-present.
You knew us before our birth
and you love us still and strengthen us,
that we will one day be blameless.
Through the gift of Jesus Christ,
you offer forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
Guide us into the light
of your unwavering, never-ending,
and grace-filled love. Amen.

Reading: Psalm 72: 1-11

Song: The first Nowell the angel did say

The First Nowell (Tune: First Noel - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations] (youtube.com)

Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 2: verses 1 to 12

Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-3

Song: We three kings of Orient are

We Three Kings with Lyrics | Christmas Carol & Song (youtube.com)

Prayers:

As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come”; empower your Church, O God, to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus, which pierces even the deepest darkness.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

As a star rose high into the night-time sky to draw the nations to the Christ-child; send your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation, and draw the whole world to your peace and truth.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

As John the Baptist guided throngs of people to the edge of the wilderness and baptised Jesus in the River Jordan, we pray that you would guide our country and our leaders to the ways of justice and righteousness.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Like the Magi who travelled from afar to bring gifts and celebrate the Saviour’s birth; we pray for this community, and for those who celebrate their own birthdays and anniversaries; especially _______.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

As Jesus climbed the mountaintop, and proclaimed blessings on the people of the world; we pray for the sick and the distressed, the poor and the lame. We especially pray for _____.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

As Jesus called his disciples to leave their nets and boats, and follow him; we pray for those we love and who have answered your call to follow Jesus to your Heavenly Kingdom. Give them your peace.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, Light of the World, hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light, that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light, and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy. Amen.

Song: Lord Jesus Christ

LIVING-LORD,LORD JESUS CHRIST (youtube.com)

How many Kings visited Jesus in the Stable?

None! Nowhere in Matthew’s account are Kings mentioned. Nowhere does Matthew say that they were at the inn or stable. Nowhere does he say how many of them there were.

Most of what we think we know is tradition, rather than from the gospel account.

Much has been combined in the traditional account with Luke's account.

If they are not identified as kings, why do we call them kings? Perhaps from mentions of Kings bowing down before the anointed one (Isaiah 49 and Psalm 72 among others)

What were the Magi?

Well,the best description we have is “Wise men who studied stars” This makes them astronomers, or perhaps astrologers, this was not a well defined difference at that time. Some have suggested that the description sorcerers, or magicians would be appropriate.

It is difficult for us to use these words, the modern implications of most of them are negative, but they are the best we have.

When and from where did they come?

The best description we have is “From the East”. This could have meant Arabia, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, India or China to the writer.

As to when they were there, we can only say that is was up to two years after the birth. We know that Herod killed the children under two. He asked the wise men when the star had appeared.

Matthew says that they visited the Child in a house, not an inn or stable. There had been chance to move and set up a home.

What was the star of Bethlehem?

There are various possibilities for an astronomical event at about that time.

There was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, three times, in the constellation of Pisces. In 7B.C.

Jupiter was the ``star'' of royalty and luck and Saturn was the star of the Mesopotamian deity who protected Israel.

These took place on:

First conjunction: May 27, 8am
Second conjunction: October 6, 10 pm
Third conjunction: December 1, 9pm.

There was time for travelliong between conjunctions.

It could have been a comet. Halley's comet would have appeared in 12 B.C.

and another comet was recorded in Capricorn in 5B.C.

There were conjunctions of a planet and a star. 7 such in 3 – 2 B.C. Including Jupiter and Regulus (x3) and Jupiter and Venus near Regulus. But, all of there were after 4 B.C., the death of Herod.

Was the star Good?

You may have heard the suggestion that it was the work of Satan, because it led the Magi to Herod.

The problem with this idea is that it does not say that the star led them to Jerusalem. The Magi came with their own expectations and prejudices. These led them to Jerusalem. It was their heir own belief, because they did not know where to look. They used logic, which can be dangerous. Human logic is not always useful. Only after they had visited Herod did the star then showed them where.

It led them to Jesus. I do not believe that anything which leads people to Jesus can be evil!

Does any of it matter?

Does it matter who came, what they were or what brought them?

There is undoubtedly significance that can be attached to the people, to where they were from, and what they brought. But these have been looked at many times.

If we are travelling, most of us would use a map, and we all have preferences about which sort of map to use. Some use the Ordnance survey, others prefer Bartholomew’s of the A.A. maps. , People have preferences, all will lead to destination, noone is going to ask, “Which sort of map did you use?” unless you get lost.

Ships use Lights, lighthouses, navigate, and landmarks to guide them to harbour. In sea-faring communities there was a tradition to leave a light in the window when the husband was at sea.. A sailor arriving in port is unlikely to be asked, “which light did you follow?” Only one who got lost.

The Star of the story is, The star. Whatever it was, it brought people to Jesus.

D. L. Moody (of Moody and Sankey fame) was once criticised for his methods of reaching people with the gospel. His reply was ‘I agree with you, I don’t like the way I do it either. Tell me how do you do it?’  The woman who had criticised replied ‘I don’t do it.’  To which Moody responded ‘I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.’ 

The way of being a star is much less important than the fact of being a star. It is where we lead that is important.

George Bernard Shaw said “Those who can do, those who can't, teach”. My father would have said “Those who can do, those who can't, criticise.”

We are called on to be stars.

We are called on to be the lights which lead people to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We should not be hidden, The world should not be able to ignore us, The world should not be able to say “I did not know you were there”

Some of you have been stars.

Some of you in ways which I do not know, perhaps you do not know either. Perhaps for people you have worked with, been on holiday with or lived with. Perhaps through work in Brigades, Sunday schools or missions

Philipp Bliss wrote a hymn.

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy from his lighthouse evermore:

But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother, some poor sailor tempest tossed,
Trying now to make the harbour, in the darkness may be lost.

Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor fainting struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save

As the wise men had their star to follow, the world has us. That is our calling, that is our purpose. Or have we hidden our light under a bowl?

Song: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning

Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning (Tune: Epiphany - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations] (youtube.com)

Week beginning 31st December

 

Hymn: Angels from the realms of glory

Angels From the Realms of Glory - Traditional Carol with Lyrics (youtube.com)

Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness  for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and your staff,  they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me  all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord  forever.

Prayer Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for infant's cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance. Be with us as we sing the carols of Christmas. We Thank you O God that your Son came as a helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We humbly come before you to join with the angels, to sing and worship the new born king. Amen

Hymn: Cradled in a manger

Cradled in manger, meanly - with lyrics - YouTube

BIBLE READING Luke 2: 1 – 20

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 & all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,  because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 & while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us”  16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 and when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Hymn: While Shepherds watched their flock by night.

This carol is sung to a variety of different tunes. In Yorkshire it is often sung to the tune “Cranbrook”, better known to “On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at.” (For the benefit of those not privileged to come from Yorkshire, this means “on Ilkley moor without a hat.,”

WHILE SHEPHERD'S WATCHED-tune "On Ilkley Moor Baht at" (youtube.com)

Lets look at where the shepherds fields are possibly located according to the holy land web site.

Which states

“There are two main sites that have their own Shepherds’ Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing Christ’s birth. Less than a half-mile separates them from one another.  

Franciscan Shepherds’ Field (the most visited as it’s more easily accessed and is set up for tourists).

The Greek Orthodox Shepherds’ Field.

Both sites have substantial archaeological evidence and tradition supporting them. However, the Greek Orthodox site has more ruins and longer continuous usage.

Both places are located about a mile east of Bethlehem in the Beit Sahour village. The Church of the Nativity can be seen from each site.

Because the sites are so close to one another, it’s very possible that the angels’ appearance was seen from both places as there could have easily been numerous shepherds in close proximity. There are also various other ruins, churches, and monasteries in the area, which testify to the fact that this event happened there.”

So what do we know about the Shephard's ? They were working together in the fields.

Firstly it could be a dangerous job there were many wild animals found in ancient Israel include: The Asiatic lion, Syrian brown bear, antelope (Arabian Oryx ), wild ox, Mesopotamian fallow deer, ostrich ,jackal, gazelle, rock hyrax, Fallow and Roe deers, ibex, wolf, Judean desert leopard, wild boar, onagers (Asiatic wild ass)

So day and night the sheep would need protecting which means the men would work day and night watches. Their work meant they were on the main unable to attend the temple or to follow the Jewish rituals and the rules.

The best of the lambs would be chosen for the Passover sacrifices. But these men were looked down upon by sociality. Back in those days sons were expected to follow the fathers in the work they did.

We opened with the psalm of David who In the first book of Samuel, it is written that David  was the youngest son of Jesse, a man of Bethlehem, and served as a shepherd for his father.

Like David the shepherds carried rods and staffs, The rod was a cudgel: a short, thick, heavy stick similar to we might call a baton. This was worn at the shepherd's belt. The staff was a long, lightweight pole with a curved end—a crook—that the shepherd used to move, count, and examine the sheep at evening when they returned to the fold. A fold would have been crudely made out dead wooden branches stood on end weaved through smaller branches and thorn twigs with a small entrance to keep the sheep in at night, but men would have walked around it while one man or may be two men would have sat or stood in the entrance. One thing for certain All would be keeping a look out. there may have been a small fire where a torch out of twigs and strips of old cloths on a branch could have been lit to wave at a lion or other wild animal to scare it away.

But this would have been like any other night they would have talked about things that were going on in the town. Possibly the politics of the day with the Roman rulers.

The fields were about a 20 minute walk or a ten minute run from the town of Bethlehem.

To help you visualise this lets look at Ilkley, the moor would be about a twenty minute walk. There are lots of sheep roaming the moor. This moor has been lived on since the stone age. Also the Romans built had a fort and made two major roads. In the Victorian era it became a spa town with hotels and Inns with stables. I can just imagine a local chapel putting on a Christmas tableau.

With a real donkey and a sheep and a young cow..along with locals dressed up. A living Christmas card.

But we will carry on with the shepherds looking at their reactions after our next hymn

Hymn: O Little town of Bethlehem

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Tune: Forest Green - 4vv) [with lyrics for congregations] (youtube.com)

This particulate night in the fields of Bethlehem changed the course of History for ever.

For God did not go to a respectable Rabbi home nor to a well to do house of a merchant or a wealthy aristocrat. Not even to the palace of a king. No it was to men of the lowest estate.

He sent His angel with a message to the Shepherds, possibility there may have have been a descendent of David amount them. Well there they were chatting when the sky went from shadowy black to a bright light that shone around them and an angel looking at them. Naturally they were filled with great fear. Not an adrenalin fear that triggers the fight or flight reflex as if a wild beast was prowling around, This was shear terror. That was why the angel’s first words were “Fear not,” “ for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” How did the shepherds respond? They went to see for themselves. The shepherds saw with their own eyes baby Jesus in the manger exactly as the angel had described , they saw that the baby was perfect. without spot or blemish. And was in the manger they told Mary and Joseph what the angel had told them and how lots more angels had joined in singing Glory to God.

Afterwards the shepherds were also filled with awe and wonder and returned to the fields praising God. We do not know how many shepherds responded or who was left to keep watch the sheep .

But the one thing we know is they were the first men to spread the message to Mary and Joseph and then to all they met who would listen.

The shepherds as far as we know did not take a tangible gifts with them.

But this happening changed their lives for ever they became the first evangelists.

THE SHEPHERD is a Christmas poem from a vintage Christmas Ideals magazine. 

by John Davenport Womack,  from the point of view of a shepherd at the manger. 

THE SHEPHERD

I do not think I'm likely to forget the brilliance of the star that blazed that night,
And in my ear the song's resounding yet of that celestial choir whose voices bright

With hope and promise filled the shining air;
Rang from the nestling hills, rang from the earth where slept our flocks that night,

all unaware these voices heralded a Saviour's birth.

We went into the stable where He lay and my poor gift of love placed at His feet.
He smiled on me.  The place grew bright as day, and there was peace, ineffable and sweet.

Prayer

Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth, may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves. For those who are wrapped in sadness and guilt and regret. For the ones who are mourning, We ask that the gift of your holy spirit will fill them all with comfort and peace wrap them in your love. Be with us and those whom we love, fill us with your peace and help us to share your gift of the Christ child with all we meet. Amen.

As we pray through the power of the Holy Spirit join us with our Brothers sisters through out the world as we say the Lords Prayer together .

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.

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.

There are still people to day who like the Shepherds are on the edge of society, One such person has stayed in my heart with me ever since I was 12 years old, I cannot remember his name if ever I knew it A lovely kind tramp, some of the kids were not kind and would call him names I gave him Sandwiches most days .I gave him gift of gloves for Christmas. I told my Dad about him, when he came to Church one Sunday morning some in the congregation would not talk to him.

But Dad made him welcome he came to our house for a meal, and told my parents how kind I had been. Over time he became a Christian and in turn helped others who were homeless some of the churches of different denominations worked together and set up a shelter with day centre. Where meals & hot drinks were provided . A very small back to back house house was donated to be used as an address that could be used for GP appointments and for benefit payments officer to visit. It was a place to Collect clean clothes, and blankets the local laundrette cleaned the down-and-outs’ clothes for free. The Man became a live in caretaker of the house and centre and also still helped at a local farm working in the fields and helping to look after the ewes during the time of lambing.

The following Christmas day service the man gave my Dad something wrapped up to put in the nativity stable. everyone watched Dad open it, the man had made a beautiful carved lamb. Dad placed it carefully by the shepherds, then made a reference to it in his address.

That was a very special service.

If we were to go and take a gift to the manger what would it be.?

Our closing carol’s last verse answers this question.

Hymn: In the bleak mid winter

In The Bleak Midwinter with Lyrics (Choral) (youtube.com)

Like the Shepherd in the hymn we too give our hearts to the Christ child.

Benediction

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 reign in your lives, May the love of God surround you, the Spirit of God empower you and the joy of God uphold you, This day and always. Amen