Call To worship

Bring a torch Jeannette Isabella, bring a torch come swiftly and run

Christ is born, tell the folk in the village, 

Jesus is sleeping in his cradle 

Ah, Ah, beautiful is the Mother, 

Ah, Ah, beautiful is her son 

Hasten now, Good folk of the village, Hasten now, 

the Christ child to see. 

You will find him asleep in the manger, quietly come and whisper softly 

Hush, hush peacefully now he slumbers, 

Hush, hush, peacefully know he sleeps. 

Call to Worship:

One: It’s done. It’s done

All What’s done 

One the waiting, the watching, the wishing, the welcoming. Its all done Christ is born…alleluia But ..it’s not all done 

All it’s not?

One No 

All Why not

One because if Christmas means anything it has to be lived each day of our lives.

All The waiting?

One and the watching

All the wishing?

One: and the welcoming Christmas is today and tomorrow 

All and forever so let us worship God who invites us to be a Christmas people 

I believe that there is a moment between Christmas and New Year when all the wrapping is in the recycling, the family feasting is over , the last of the turkey is soup in the freezer and you sit down in front of the tree first with the thoughts “well this is the next task” and you find yourself sitting in the glow of the tree cup of something warm and satisfying in hand the resolution has been made never to eat that much food again or not at least until the next Christmas. This task planning becomes a moment of deep reflection almost like a visit of the ghost of Christmas past when we reflect on the year on the season on how the colours of the pallet of life have been laid down on our canvas of who we are. 

So much work goes into this moment and then it seems it is over and you wonder did I miss it.  

When did Christmas arrive for you?  Did it arrive? What do we find this Christmas?

Christmas does come to each of us like a saint sliding a gift under the tree. God touches us with that moment of His son’s presence in each of our own time.  

 We have song  the most cherished of Carols.  We all have our favorite.  I wouldn’t say “No Crowded Eastern Streets” is my favorite but it is one that always touches me on a deep emotional level. It is not a popular song, no recordings of big choirs singing it.  

What it does is draw that line between the nativity and today 

 No crowded eastern street, no sound of passing feet;

far to the left and far to right, the prairie snows spread far and white; yet still to us is born tonight the child, the King of glory.

No rock-hewn place of peace shared with the gentle beasts, but sturdy farm house, stout and warm, with stable, shed, and great red barn; and still to us is born tonight the child, the King of glory.

No blaze of heavenly fire no bright celestial choir,

only the starlight as of old, crossed by the plane's flash, red and gold; yet still to us is born tonight the child, the King of glory.  

Still for us today there is no blaze of heavenly host and celestial choir For us today there are just the planes crisscrossing the skies, tale lights and headlights white and red. Neighbours out doing neighbours in how many blow up Christmas things and lights on a front lawn, the last rush to grocery store and joy of a good parking spot.  Endless wrapping that will last a minute and be thrown away. Gift cards received and then forgotten.  And above the hustle and bustle we hear. Not silver bells because it annoys the neighbours.  No that simple wonderful line. Still to us is born tonight the child the King of glory. How far is it to Bethlehem.   It is here, Bethlehem is here in  Freelton Strabane. It is in how we own our story. 

 All good stories start with “once upon a time.”  So does ours “Once upon a time in the city of David…  

When Mary and Joseph set out from Nazareth to travel to Bethlehem there must have come a point when the road seemed very long and the travelling hard. 

The road for us to Bethlehem can also be long and hard.  It is hard to hold onto the sacred when we are bombarded by all the extra. It is a road that we are called to travel because the Bethlehem event reminds us that God is willing to give everything in love for us.  Bethlehem is the beginning of a much harder road, one that God in Jesus willingly will walk for us. Tiny hands sent to heal us, a tiny brow which will hold a crown of thorns, a tiny heart whose blood will save us.  Christ’s mass is the beginning of the road to salvation.  

In the end we need to find Christmas beyond the day of presents and too much turkey and feasting.  We need the twelve days of Christmas so that we can come to realize the gifts we have been given those Christ moments  

It is found in that moment when we realize that we have been loved. Not just by family and friends but by others. In the thoughtfulness and time spent on gifts and the coming to see that Christmas, that presence of Christ with us spreads beyond the day but into our lives

From deep within me thank you for a wonderful Christmas. Where many times I felt that voice with in me proclaim behold to you is born this day a Saviour who will be known as Christ the lord.  

 The New Year is upon us. For many it will be life as always for us it is only part way through the Holy Season. When all the wrapping is in the recycling, the family feasting is over , the last of the turkey is soup in the freezer and you find yourself sitting in the glow of the tree or your sacred space with a cup of something warm and satisfying in hand may you find yourself that sacred moment with the presence of God.   

 In those days long from today long from the 25 of December long from the twelve days when you need it most may all the beauty and vibrant colours of God’s love and coming into our lives in a child who will travel with us through Holly and thorns touch you once more and you remember and know once more that you are not alone.  

Offering

We give thee but thy own.   The work of the Church continues and there are three ways you can continue to support that work.   Consider using PAR, use the donate button on our Web Site or drop your gift at the Manse.   Let us make our offering and give thanks.       

  One: Praise God who from all Blessing flow

   Prayer   In the name of the one who comes to save and show us your love O God we give with open hearts and ask that you receive our offerings as an expression of our faith and hope that we have found in you May they be used to proclaim your love in the world 

Sending Forth and Blessing.

One: Among the poor 

All: Among the proud 

One among the persecuted 

All Among the privileged 

One Christ is coming 

All Christ is coming to make all things new. 

One: In the private house 

All: in the market place 

One in the wedding feast 

All in the judgment hall 

One Christ is coming 

All Christ is coming to make all things new. 

One: With a gentle touch 

All: with an angry word 

One with a clear conscience

All with a burning love 

One Christ is coming 

All Christ is coming to make all things new. 

One That the kingdom might come 

All that the world might believe 

One that the powerful might stumble 

All that the humble might be raised 

One Christ is coming 

All Christ is here to make all things new.

One With us 

All without us 

One among us 

All before us 

One in this place 

All in every place 

One for this time 

All for all time 

One Christ Has come. 

All Christ is here to make all things new. 

Blessing

One:  May God the one who brings us comfort surround you, May Christ our Joy walk with you. May the Continued presence of The Holy Spirit illuminate our path and keep us safe until we can gather again in community. Amen 

VU 4

God of all places present unseen

Voice in our silence song in our mist

Send us your people knowing and sure

Called to spread the word.

amen amen amen