As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Service of Christmas 
Lessons & Carols 

My sisters and brothers in Christ, 
in this season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let it be our duty and delight to hear once more the message of the angels, and go in heart and mind to Bethlehem to see the Son of God lying in a manger.

As we mark once more the mystery of the Word made flesh,
let us join with the song of angels and saints and make this
place ring with our carols and hymns of praise.

But first, let us remember the poverty of the birth of 
the Prince of Peace, and pray for the poor, the cold, the hungry,
and those among us who find that there is no room for
them at the inn.

Let us remember the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt,
and pray for the oppressed, refugees, the isolated, and those
on the edges of our society.

Let us remember that the Lord of Glory experienced the
pain of life and death, and pray for the sick, the anxious,
the weary, and the bereaved.

And remembering the promise that he shall reign for ever
and ever, let us pray for the rulers of the nations,
for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church, that we may be a sign that God’s rule on earth has already begun.

With joy in our hearts,
let us hear again the story of the birth of Christ,
and join with Mary and Joseph,
with shepherds and wise men,
and with all our forebears in faith
in offering our worship.

Gospel: Luke 2. 8-16

May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord.  Amen.

Christians, Hear Love!

I like to think of the Advent journey. 

Certainly, the weeks leading up to Christmas for Mary and Joseph was a journey—not only a journey from where they were living, but to the place where all who were of the household of David were to travel, to be registered. 

History played-out well tells us that this business of registration was not just some simple accounting of people. There would be great political turmoil about to take place. 

In addition to this physical journey, which we are told was with a donkey for transportation, there is also the marital situation between Mary and Joseph. 

Mary was with child. Not just some child—the child was to be a special child who when born would bring a change to the world—a change that the world had never seen before! 

And so, we have travelled through Advent, on the road to Bethlehem, with Mary and Joseph. The first three weeks we have focused on the themes of hope, peace, and joy. Next comes LOVE. 

This child to be born would represent love in the greatest proportion. 

The word for love in original Greek language text is “agape.” Agape love is unconditional love. Of course, we are always mindful of that great lesson and that discussion between Jesus and Peter about “Will you love me?”
Love that is unmerited—love that is freely given. It is a love which is not earned, a love, a caring about someone or something, freely given, unconditional. 

The great thing about Jesus was in his teachings he never taught about love. You might say, “He lived love.” He simply showed the world what love was about by his actions, by his ministry. When others might have passed by, Jesus would have stopped to care—would have stopped to show compassion, kindness, empathy—to be there—to be present, as we sometimes say.
    
And so, love is action. I like to think love is an action growing out of hope, peace, and joy.

Dwight L. Moody is quoted as saying: “Faith makes all things possible… love makes all things easy.”
Love is so much a part of how our world needs to be. 

Theologians would agree we can never fall out of AGAPE love, for it is a love that exceeds choice. 
Thinking about this, we are reminded that God has never fallen out his love for us. 

Nobody can fall out of agape.  It is a choice that goes beyond feelings. 

When we realize what God did for us in love, it makes us reconsider how we treat others.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is 'When Love Came Down', by Point of Grace.

Listening to Christmas music over the past few weeks, we are reminded of many of the great carols of Christmas. One of them is When Love Came Down. Most moderns will relate this to a recording first made popular in the 1980’s by a group called, Point of Grace.

With the curiosity of Google, and some floating around cyber space, I discovered there was a much earlier version of this great carol—which was actually in the form of a poem—a Christmas poem—a Christmas poem written by Christina Rosetti, in 1885. It went like this:  

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Great words that remind us of this special word that we celebrate.

One of the great sermons in Holy Week is titled:  Friday’s a-Coming. 

One of the great realizations on this 4th Sunday of Advent is that in a few days, we will once again give thanks for the birth of love in our Savior Jesus Christ. 

May we all take time, beyond the presents, to stop and give thanks for the greatest gift we all have to share, the gift of love.

So, when we think, “Christians, hear love.” Let’s remember: Love’s, a-coming.
Amen.

Let Us Pray

In joy and humility let us pray to the creator of the universe, 
saying, “Lord, grant us peace.”

By the good news of our salvation brought to Mary by the 
angel,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the mystery of the Word made flesh,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.  

By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the manifestation of the King of glory to the shepherds and 
magi,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the submission of the maker of the world
to Mary and Joseph,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the baptism of the Son of God in the river Jordan,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By that great kindness of this world that we may become the 
kingdom of our Saviour Jesus Christ;
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

Almighty God,
you wonderfully created
and yet more wonderfully restored our human nature.
May we share the divine life of your Son Jesus Christ,
who humbled himself to share our humanity,
and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

And with thanksgiving, may we pray:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

The Blessing: 
May the God of infinite goodness scatter the darkness of sin
and brighten your hearts with holiness;

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you, and remain with you, always. 
 Amen.

Just a note that our next recorded service will come in the New Year, and we give thanks that we will have the opportunity to share together in the Good News of the Birth of Christ here on Christmas Eve (4:00 pm) and on Christmas Day (10:00 am)

May God bless each and every one of us. Amen.