Praying Together 25th December 2022

Collect For Christmas

Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Titus 2: 11-14

John 1: 1-14

A verse from ‘It came upon the Midnight clear’

And Man, at war with Man, hears not
The love-song that they sing
O hush your noise, Ye Men of strife
And hear the Angels sing.

Which could be paraphrased as ‘Shut up and listen and you’ll hear something worth hearing.’

But most of the time we don’t. We’re too busy to stop and listen. And while we’re running around and trying to multitask we drown out the silence in which faith whispers a message of hope; hope enables the love which casts out fear; fear that drives conflict, hatred and anger and brings a pervasive darkness that feeds upon itself. We read the news of continual human conflict, and it’s easy to feel despair. But it only takes one candle to be lit and the darkness loses its power to frighten. That’s our mission.

In the very first passage of John’s Gospel, we are reassured that the light has come; and the darkness will never overcome it. Quite a simple message – one we hear repeated at this time of incarnation, God becoming Man out of love for us. Unlike Santa, God doesn’t give us presents because we’ve been good – He gives us the present of Jesus even though we haven’t been. Because He loves us. And if we shut up and listen – even for five minutes – we’ll hear the song of the Angels telling us so.

When we sing the verse in the carol about ‘Man at war with Man’, we usually think that it applies to those nations and their leaders who use violence to achieve their dominance over others. But perhaps we ought to look at ourselves. If we believe Judgement begins with those of God (1 Peter 4:17), how about changing the verse slightly to reflect the state of the Church…

And ‘Christians’ at denominational war with other ‘Christians’ hear not
The love song that they sing
O hush the noise Ye sectarian legalists
And hear the Angels sing

The Song isn’t about reinforcing our own preferences and prejudices;
the Angels are singing about Jesus. Be quiet and listen.

A message from Bishop Michael

A short summary of the Christmas Story.

A little Christmas memory

‘All the stores were closed and shuttered’. Walking to Early Communion on Christmas Day in Stalybridge – all the busyness of the Market town stilled. So quiet. Not even church bells yet. I can hear my own footsteps. What will the day bring? Song. Laughter. Friends. Bread. Wine. Family. Faith. Hope. Love.

May you share that Blessing in Christ.