St Clement Church Community Midnight Mass 2022
Good evening to you all, at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve we will be celebrating Midnight Mass in our church building. I’m aware that a number of folk who usually attend this service are unable to attend this year, so the below is a service of the word for you.
(You can read it before midnight if you wish!)
May Christ’s love sustain you always.
Much love to you all,
Rev Di and family xx
Let us pray;
Eternal God, in the stillness of this night you sent your almighty Word to pierce the world’s darkness with the light of salvation: give to the earth the peace that we long for and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Our prayers of Penitence
Hear the words of the angel to Joseph: ‘You shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.’ Therefore let us seek forgiveness from God through Jesus the Saviour of the world:
God our Father, you sent your Son full of grace and truth: forgive our failure to receive him.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus our Saviour, you were born in poverty and laid in a manger: forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
Christ, have mercy.
Spirit of love, your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call: forgive the hardness of our hearts.
Lord, have mercy.
May our God, of all healing and forgiveness draw us to himself, that we may behold the glory of his Son, the Word made flesh and be cleansed from all our sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect
Let us pray in the peace of this Christmas celebration that our joy in the birth of Christ will last for ever.
Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Carol: ‘Away in a Manger’
Readings:
Isaiah 9. 2-7
Titus 2. 11-14
Carol: ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’
Our Reading is taken from the Gospel of Luke 2. 1-14 (15-20)
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(This is the Gospel of the Lord. Response: ‘Praise to you, O, Christ’)
Reflection
My dear friends in Christ, grace to you and peace…especially peace…on this night of our Saviour’s birth. Amen.
Well, the time has finally arrived. Our days of watching, waiting and preparing are finally over, and tonight the celebration begins.
And as I always say this night; if it’s not bought or posted, wrapped, baked or decorated by now, it’s too late.
So forget about all what you’ve forgotten to do, as we gather to celebrate the event that changed the course of human history forever.
It’s Christmas! And my prayer is that Jesus will be born in us, and live in us, and be our reason for living, loving, caring, and giving, not just tonight, but every day of our lives.
Christmas is a time of observing traditions, isn’t it, like decorating the Christmas tree.
Well, one Christmas, many years ago, Santa was very cross. It was Christmas Eve, just like now, and nothing was going right, just like our house an hour or so ago I might add.
But poor Santa, the elves were running late and were complaining about not being paid overtime. The reindeer had been drinking all afternoon, and judging by the noise they were making outside, the sleigh ride was going to be an exciting one.
Santa was furious. ‘I can’t believe it!’ he shouts, ‘I’ve got millions of presents to deliver in just a few hours, all of my reindeer are drunk, the elves are on strike, and I don’t even have a Christmas tree yet for Mrs Santa to decorate. I sent that stupid little angel off to find one hours ago! Where on earth is she, what am I going to do?’
Just then, the front door slowly opens, the little angel comes in from the cold, snowy night, dragging a huge Christmas tree behind her. ‘Oi! Fatty’ she yells, ‘where do you want me to stick this tree?’ And thus the tradition of an angel on top of the Christmas tree came to pass…….
As well as tradition, Christmas is full of surprises.
When Mary was told that she would give birth to a son, and he would be the Saviour of the world, she no doubt was surprised.
“How can this be?” Mary asked the messenger.
When Joseph was told that his fiancée was expecting a baby, he was both surprised and angry, until the angel told him the rest of the story.
But nobody was more surprised than the shepherds near Bethlehem, when angels appeared and announced the birth of the Son of God.
They were shepherds, after all, considered to be the lowest of the low of society in those days, but it was to them that the news first came.
“Do not be afraid” the angel said, ‘for I bring you good news of great joy, unto you this day in the City of David there has born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
And what happened next is a miracle too, one of many that happened that first Christmas night.
After the angels left, the shepherds said to one another “Let’s go over to Bethlehem and see.” And they went! The shepherds actually went! Scripture says that the shepherds went with haste to Bethlehem.
But that’s because they were shepherds, not leaders or politicians.
They didn’t form a committee, they didn’t stop to consider the economic impact, they didn’t want a referendum, or call in consultants, or request more information from the angel. They went. With haste. Immediately. And they found it exactly as said.
But what does all this mean to us, some 2000 years removed from that holy night? In an age where the town of Bethlehem is an epicentre of conflict and bitterness, and in an age where we seem to do everything “with haste,” except consider whether there is any room for Jesus in our lives. What does it all mean to us…today…in this present age?
Well, three things, I think.
The first is that Jesus still wants to come into the lives of ordinary people of this world. The Shepherds weren’t important, top of the food chain people, they were common folk, whose lives were filled with menial tasks and challenges, who were just trying to survive.
And this night, we’re the same as those shepherds; nothing special, but chosen by God to receive the greatest gift ever given. “This very night, a Saviour has been born, for you.”
I know many of us find our lives hard. We wonder where our lives are headed, we wonder if what we do counts for anything. We wonder if God hears our prayers.
Welcome to the shepherd’s club my friends.
A Saviour has been born for you tonight.
The second thing has to do with fear. “Do not be afraid” the angel said. Well, easier said than done. When loved ones face illness or die, when, even though we’re working our socks off, money is short and hope is fading. When relationships are strained and families are arguing, of course we become afraid, we’re only human. To simply say “Don’t be afraid” just doesn’t work for us!
But the angel said; “Don’t be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy; a Saviour has been born for you.”
And that’s why we do not need to fear anything. Because of Jesus, God is here, in this fractured, hurting world. God is with us in the dark nights and the hopeless situations, promising never, ever to abandon us, to be with us through it all.
And the final thing is this; the shepherds went to Bethlehem. They didn’t have to go.
The angels didn’t command it; God didn’t require it, but the invitation was offered. “This shall be a sign for you; a baby, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The shepherds went not to see if it was true, but because they believed it was. They knew that the world had suddenly changed, and they wanted to celebrate that fact.
And I think that’s why we are here tonight; most of us, at least.
Some may only be here because they were bullied into it, or, by tradition, it’s the only night of the year they attend church.
By the way, that’s okay; we’re just glad you’re here!
But most have come because, like the shepherds, we believe the message of the angels. A Saviour has been born, one who will bridge the gap between a sinful, hurting world and a gracious God.
So we’ve come.
God has touched us with a promise that has taken root in our hearts.
That although we are only ordinary people like the shepherds, a Saviour has been born for us, and this night, we have a reason to celebrate that Good News.
Thanks be to God. And Merry Christmas!
Amen.
Carol: ‘While Shepherds Watched’
Affirmation of our Faith
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist.
We believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again.
We believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world.
This is the faith of the Church. This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Intercessions this night are taken from the book: Times and Seasons
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Father, in this holy night your Son our Saviour was born in human flesh. Renew your Church as the Body of Christ.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this holy night Mary, in the pain of labour, brought your Son to birth. Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this Holy night your Christ came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring comfort to all who suffer in the sadness of our world.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this Holy night the angels sang, ‘Peace to God’s people on earth.’ Strengthen those who work for peace and justice in all the world.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this Holy night shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy. Give us grace to preach the gospel of Christ’s redemption.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this Holy night strangers found the Holy family, and saw the baby lying in the manger. Bless our homes and all whom we love.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this Holy night heaven is come down to earth, and earth is raised to heaven. Hold in your hand all who have passed through death in the hope of your coming kingdom.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
In this Holy night Christians the world over celebrate Christ’s birth. Open our hearts that he may be born in us today.
Holy God Hear our prayer.
Father, in this Holy night angels and shepherds worshipped at the manger throne. Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with Mary, Joseph and the saints through him who is your Word made flesh, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray with confidence 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.
Carol: ‘Silent Night’
The Peace
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
May the peace of God be always with us.
Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill us with peace and goodwill and make us partakers of the divine nature; and may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, those whom we love, and remain with us always.
Amen.
Carol: ‘Hark! The Herald Angels sing’