We are in the last days of Advent now, and savouring the countdown to the Nativity festival. The daily readings are rich in the sense of yearning for better things.
Today the Gospel turns from John the Baptist to Mary as it prepares us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary, we are told, is the one ‘who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled’. She committed her life so that this would indeed happen, bringing to birth and nurturing to maturity her gifted son.
All of us who respond with welcome to Jesus Christ, and who seek to live in his Spirit, will listen to the promises of God and seek to be a part of the means by which they are fulfilled. At this time, God’s promise of a reign of peace is as precious and as apparently impossible as it ever was. Perhaps our call is to allow ourselves more and more to be instruments of that peace, letting it come to birth in the smallest details of our human interactions and nurturing it with just deeds and generous trust.
Today, among all else that is going on, it is our great pleasure to celebrate Rita Libeau’s 80th birthday. The actual day was yesterday, but this morning her family invites us to enjoy the special morning tea they are providing in her honour. Our warmest good wishes to you, Rita, and may you have many more birthdays in this community.
This morning we shall be presenting certificates to four of our people who have just completed the four-year Education for Ministry course in a group based here at S. Michael’s. They are Kay Knowles, Rachel Watson, Michael Graveston and Stephen McKelvey. Dr Marla Hughes and I have been the mentors for the group. The course is an excellent basis for ministry in daily life and in the Church. Another group will start in the new year, and interested people are welcome to speak to me soon.
Tonight we shall enjoy the Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas. The choir is in very fine form. I hope that many of you will come, and bring friends as well, for this lovely service of scriptural and musical meditation on the Christmas story. You may be able to bring a small contribution of food or drink for a supper afterwards in the hall.
On Monday evening at 6:30 pm we shall welcome children and their families to the Children’s Carol Service. Please invite any children you know. After the short service there will be a Christmas supper for the children.
Finally, I hope that the Christian World Service Christmas Appeal will again receive generous support (gifts are tax deductible). Envelopes are available today. It is good for us to be intentionally generous to those who have few resources, at a time when we spend so much on ourselves. CWS has a proven track record and we can give through this agency with confidence.
I look forward to celebrating Christmas with you at S. Michael’s. May it be a happy and blessed time for us all.
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
CWS Christmas Appeal
Theme: “Give us a chance”
Light one candle for LOVE:
In the central Philippines, most people are tenant farmers or fishers. Trying to support themselves and their families is discouraging and often desperate. They are poor not through laziness but because of their circumstances.
Joel is a 57 year-old farmer with six family members to support, from a patch of land insufficient for even their basic needs. With help from CWS partner Developers Foundation he has been able to take on pig-raising and rice-trading, and to learn about re-investing for expansion. Now he employs a neighbour, his family lives in a concrete house, his children go to school. And Joel is vice-president of the group which gave him his start: “It was wonderful to know that we ordinary people could do something for ourselves and our village. I realised that it was through unity that farmers like us could work for change in our community.” Through CWS the work of support, care and LOVE continues.
Please give generously this Christmas, and give them a chance.Advent: Week Four
Monday Zephaniah 3: 14–18 Luke 1: 39–45
Tuesday 1 Samuel 1: 24–28 Luke 1: 46–56
Wednesday Malachi 3: 1–4, 23–24 Luke 1: 57–66
Thursday (am) 2 Samuel 7: 1–5, 8–12, 14, 16 Luke 1: 67–79Christmas Services at S. Michael 2009
Confessions before Christmas:
Monday 5:00–5:30 pm, Wednesday 8:00–8:30 am
Thursday 1:00–1:30 pm, or by appointment (351 5039)
Monday 21 December
6:30 pm Children’s Carol & Crib Service
The Festival of Christmas
Thursday Christmas Eve
12:15 pm Low Mass of Advent
11:00 pm Carols
11:30 pm Solemn Mass of Christmas Night
Procession of the Christ Child to the Crib
Friday Christmas Day
8:00 am Mass of the Dawn
10:00 am Solemn Mass of the Day,
Procession & Crib Devotions
Weekday Masses continue as usual after Christmas
Sunday Evening Services resume on 24 January
