CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICE: A CHRISTMAS CHOICE, IS THERE ROOM IN THE INN OF OUR HEARTS?

 

 

If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. Perhaps you have been unable to attend a church service to offer worship, due to circumstances beyond your control. 

All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.

The Christmas Church Service:

Priest: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Congregation: "Amen."

Priest: "The Lord Jesus was born in  Bethlehem:

Angels rejoice and shepherds stand amazed. Alleluia!"

CONFESSION: 

Priest: "Christ has come to set us free from sin.

Let us turn to Him to ask for purity of heart. May the Light of the Redeemer Christ shine within our lives.

Lord, have mercy."

Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."

Priest: "Christ, have mercy."

Congregation: "Christ, have mercy."

Priest: "Lord, have mercy."

Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."

Priest: "May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."

Congregation: "Amen."

READING:

Priest: "A reading from the gospel of St Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 to 16.

"In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). Everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and town of David. 

"He went there to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son.

"She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. There were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

"An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will bring great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. He will be wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger."

"Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His Favour rests."

"When the Angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

"So they turned off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.

"This is the Word of the Lord."

Congregation: "Thanks be to God."

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:

Priest: "On this holy night, we return to a story so familiar that it can almost pass by us unnoticed: Mary and Joseph knocking on doors, searching for shelter, seeking a place where Love itself might be born. And yet, behind the simplicity of the story lies a profound truth; one that reaches into every human heart. For in a very real sense, each one of us is an innkeeper. Each of us is given a choice: Will there be room for Jesus?

The innkeeper in the Gospel is never named, never condemned, never praised. Scripture leaves him quietly in the background: because his place is meant for us. The question is not about what he did, but what we will do. Our hearts, like that inn, may be busy, crowded, weary, or distracted. Still, Christ comes, gently and humbly, asking not for comfort or grandeur, but for welcome.

For some, the choice is clear: Will I follow Christ, or will I not? God never forces Himself upon us. Love waits. Love invites. Love respects our freedom. If, in the past, we have chosen otherwise; if we have said “not now,” or “there is no room”,  then Christmas whispers to us that it is never too late to choose again. The door can always be opened. The stable can always be prepared. Grace begins the moment we say yes.

For others, perhaps we once followed but have grown tired, wounded, disappointed, or distracted. Faith may have slipped quietly into the background of our lives. To you, Christmas speaks gently: Come back. Not to judgment, not to shame, but to mercy. Christ is not born into perfect hearts; He is born into broken ones. He waits patiently for your return, not with reproach, but with open arms.

For those who have followed Christ faithfully, Christmas still offers a new beginning. To follow Jesus is not a single decision, but a daily one. Tonight invites us to follow Him anew; with deeper trust, renewed love, and a more generous heart. Even long-time disciples are called to make room again, clearing out fear, resentment, and complacency, so that Christ may live more fully within us.

If there are those among us who do not yet know Christ, who are still searching, questioning, wondering, this holy night extends a tender invitation: Come and see. You do not need to understand everything. You do not need to have everything in order. You need only the courage to open the door. For when Christ enters a heart, He brings light where there was darkness. Jesus brings meaning where there was emptiness. The Redeemer brings hope where there was longing.

Dear friends, the world today is aching, The world is starved for love, fractured by division and wounded by indifference. What the world needs most is not louder voices or harder hearts, but souls made beautiful by Christ. When we make room for Jesus, we become living reflections of His love. We change the lives of others through kindness, empathy, compassion, tolerance, and understanding. We change the world not by force, but by love.

Tonight, the Child is born again; not only in Bethlehem, but in every heart that chooses Him. Let us open the door. Let us make room. Let us become the inn where Christ is welcomed, cherished, and shared with a world that needs God’s love, and ours, so very much.

Happy Christmas!"

ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST:

If you wish to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please visit the following Prayer Chapel:

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html

REPENTANCE OF SIN:

If you wish to visit the Chapel of Repentance, visit the following Prayer Chapel:

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html

BREAKING OF BREAD:

Priest: "Almighty God, You sent Your only Son to our world because You loved us so much. We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His Life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take, eat, this is My Body which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me."

Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life,"

Priest: "After the same manner, He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: "Take this, all of you, and drink, for this is My Blood: the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me."

Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation."

(Here spiritually partake of the Body and Blood of Christ within in the Eucharist. Be assured He has come to you.)

Spend some time in silent prayer.

THE LORD'S PRAYER:

Priest and congregation: "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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen." 

BLESSING:

Priest: "Holy Jesus, by being born us of us,

and humbly lying in a manger,

You show how much God loves the world.

Let the light of Your Love always shine in our hearts,

until we reach our home in heaven,

and see you on Your Throne of Glory.

Amen."

FINAL HYMN: SILENT NIGHT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MjZh597fbs  

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A 

BLESSED NEW YEAR!

Image "The Christmas Choice" designed by Chatgpt 

With thanks to Youtube

THE CHRIST

 

'This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.'

Acts 17:3

Image "Jesus, the Son of God" courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle

DIVINE MERCY

 

SHEPHERDS

 'Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own Blood.'

Acts 20:28

Image "Lord Jesus leads His shepherds" courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle

THE LAST SUPPER

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

With thanks to Youtube

THE VEIL REMOVED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOLZDaTgIaM

With thanks to Youtube

CHRIST EMBRACES THE CROSS TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS

 

 

Photograph by Catherine Nicolette. With thanks to the Stations of the Cross artist

DRESSING RESPECTFULLY FOR MASS

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24GqZHFe0KU

With thanks to Youtube

JESUS REMEMBER ME

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W-vYp2U4J8

With thanks to Youtube

SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS: THE FIFTH WORD: JESUS, KNOWING THAT ALL HAD NOW BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, SAID, "I THIRST"

 

 

“I Thirst” – The Cry of Divine Love

Scripture Reading: John 19:28

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now accomplished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we journey through the seven last words of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, we now pause before a short but deeply stirring cry: "I thirst."

At first glance, these two words seem so simple, so human. And indeed, they are. Jesus is physically parched: bleeding, suffering, hanging between heaven and earth. The sun scorches His bruised body. His mouth is dry, His throat burning. In this moment, He reveals to us His true humanity. He is not a distant God, but one who feels pain as we do. He thirsts, just as we thirst.

But dear friends, let us not stop at the surface. This thirst is not only of the body, it is of the soul. Jesus is thirsting not only for water, but for souls. He thirsts for you. He thirsts for me. This is the thirst of Divine Love that will not rest until all are gathered into the Father’s arms. In this holy hour of His passion, Jesus is expressing the deepest longing of the heart of God: for communion with His children.

The Psalmist had foretold this moment: “They gave me vinegar for my thirst” (Psalm 69:21). Even in His suffering, Jesus fulfils every prophecy. But the greater thirst remains: not quenched by posca*, not satisfied by any earthly drink, but only by the salvation of the world.

“I thirst,” He says: and Heaven weeps. The angels hear the Creator’s cry. The One Who made the oceans, Who gave rivers their course, now speaks these words: not from power, but from utter love and total surrender.

And what does this word invite from us?

1. A response of love: Jesus thirsts for us: do we thirst for Him? Do our hearts long for Him in prayer, in worship, in acts of mercy? Or have we grown spiritually dry, offering Him vinegar instead of the water of love and obedience?

2. A call to compassion: Our Lord identified Himself with the least among us: “I was thirsty and you gave me drink…” (Matthew 25:35). When we serve the poor, the sick, the lonely, we are offering drink to Christ Himself. His thirst is echoed in every cry for help we hear.

3. A surrender to grace: “I thirst” reminds us that Jesus’ passion was not only about suffering: it was about fulfilling love’s mission. He held nothing back. Will we hold anything back from Him?

Saint Mother Teresa wrote, “Jesus is God, therefore His love and His thirst are infinite. . .  He has thirst for our love.” Let these words awaken your soul. Jesus is not ashamed to cry out for you. He thirsts for your love, your heart, your yes to His call.

As we reflect on this fifth word, may we remember: it is not only a word of pain, but a word of purpose. It is a love so Divine that even in agony, Jesus reaches out to us.

Let us then offer Him our lives, our hearts, and our love. Let us go to Him with open hands and say, “Lord, I thirst for You too.” 

Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhDlrXLxQPY&t=20s

* Posca: was the wine vinegar of Roman soldiers at the time

 Image with thanks to sdb.inc.org

With thanks to youtube

IS JESUS CALLING YOU TO FOLLOW HIM AS HE CALLED THADDEUS?

 

 

With thanks to Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUkih7rg9RI

LOOK TOWARDS JESUS

 

 

Freepik

LOOK TOWARDS JESUS

The true message of Lent is simple: look towards Jesus, and follow His example.

Jesus trained His Spirit to ultimate strength. In order to do this, He listened to God.

He went to a quiet place to talk with God and seek guidance about His Life. [1] 

Jesus trained His Body to be subordinate to His Spirit. This He did by fasting. [2]

He read and meditated upon the Scriptures. [3] Jesus humbly accepted trials. [4]

Jesus resisted the temptation to be impressed by money, buildings and earthly fame. [5]

He chose instead to live as witness to God, instead of pursuing the passing glory of this earth.

Jesus helped the poor, the sick, those in need. He advocated almsgiving, praising those who give - even very little. [6]

HOW DO WE BECOME LIKE JESUS?

We train ourselves to respond to situations in the same way that Jesus would have.

This way of life does not come overnight. Each of us has a journey to travel to become our holy self.

Each of us has personal decisions to make about how we treat our body, the people around us, the world in which we live.

  

Let us develop holy habits

Do we treat our body as the temple of God? Or do we subject our body to the dangers of promiscuity, addictive substances which harm?

Do we treat others with respect and human decency, or do we use them for our own advancement in life without thought of the damage we may be causing in their lives?

Do we treat the world and the animals within with respect and decency, or do we misuse resources and ill-treat the vulnerable?

Do we train our spirits so we are the master of ourselves? Do we make use of the disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to strengthen our inner selves?

There are many ways in which we, as humans, can act in a Christ-like compassionate way.

There are also many ways in which we, as humans, can fail to live up to the noble dignity of the humanity within us.

Lent is a golden time, an opportunity for us to do - as it were - a quality check on our spiritual life.

Remember, we will leave this world with our soul. Our soul is our eternal wealth. 

If we do not care for our inner spirit but spend all our efforts on our human body, on housing, estates and pursuit of wealth, we will not have looked forward to our eternal future.

During Lent we can make fresh decisions - a spiritual New Year's resolution - to leave behind the mistakes of the past, beg God's forgiveness for where we have failed, and steadfastly begin again on our path to authentic discipleship.

One year our Lent will be our last. Let it be our best.

POINTS TO PONDER

1. Make Lent a time of renewed prayer

2. Realise personal points of failure - sin - and repent of them

3. Change your life 

4. Practise prayer - even ten minutes a day is a good start. Ten minutes is better than nothing. Once you develop a life of prayer, it become like water for your soul - indispensable and infinitely comforting

5. Practice almsgiving - give a sensible tithe to those in need. If your family is the most in need, and there is very little - or no - income, well then, charity begins at home. Almsgiving can also include a kind word, a gentle smile, a helpful deed, neighbourly support

6. Practise fasting - fasting means to be disciplined in eating and drinking habits. It does not mean going without to the point of anorexia. It also does not mean fasting from food alone. It is helpful to be moderate in eating habits, as well as fasting from a spiteful word, harmful gossip, a false accusation, an action which leads to the breakup of a marriage

4. Make resolutions to become more like Jesus

5. Read the life of Jesus and imitate His wonder and beauty

6. If you have never before followed Jesus, why not accept Jesus into your life?

HOW TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR

Close your eyes, calm your breathing, and recite the following prayer dedicating yourself to the Son of God Who gave His Life for you.

"Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, that You died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father.

I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please You.

I choose You.

I give myself to You.

I receive Your Forgiveness and ask You to take Your rightful place in my life as my Saviour and Lord.

Come and reign as King in my heart.

Fill me with Your Love and Your Life.

Help me to become a person like You - a person who is truly loving, respectful of life and obedient to the Commandments of God the Father.

Restore me, Jesus.

Live in me.

Love through me.

Thank You, God.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

Now pray Christ's own prayer;

Pray the following words as Jesus taught us:

"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.

And 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."

Take time to pray

Prayer is easy; just talk silently within yourself to Jesus. Tell Him your fears. Tell Him your tears.

Tell Him your worries, your sins, your hopes, your joys.

He wants to be your Friend. The One Who always supports you, whether anyone else does or not.

Jesus is the One Who always love you, whether those who should love you do or not.

The Son of God is the One Who wipes away every tear, calms every fear, and unerringly leads us to Heaven.

Now seek Baptism

Now find a good and trustworthy priest, seek baptism, and be baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

[1] But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed [Luke Chapter 5: verse 16]

[2] Matthew Chapter 4: verse 2

[3] Luke Chapter 4: verses 17 to 21

[4] Luke Chapter 22: verse 42

[5] Matthew Chapter 4: verses 8 to 10

[6] Luke Chapter 21: verses 1 to 4