22nd December: Advent 4
online Holy Communion from St.Oswald’s.
Micah 5:2-5a
The insignificant village of Bethlehem where the great King David had been born, is to become the birthplace of the new ruler who would be a true shepherd to God’s people, bringing them peace and security.
The Lord says to his people: But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
If the Assyrians come into our land
and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven shepherds
and eight installed as rulers.
Luke 1:39-45
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’
Something to think about
After Mary received the message from Gabriel that she would bear a son, she left Nazareth to visit her cousin, Elizabeth who lived near near Jerusalem. Like Mary, Elizabeth’s pregnancy was unexpected since she was past the age of child bearing. Elizabeth recognised the significance of the two coming births which mirrored similar events in the Old Testament, like Isaac’s birth to the old couple, Abraham and Sarah.
(Gen. 18:9-14)
Collect
Eternal God,
as we wait with Mary for the coming of your Son,
bring us through the birth-pangs of our present age
to see, with her, our great salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of the promised saviour:
fill us your servants with your grace,
that in all things we may embrace your holy will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christmas Day
Isaiah 9:2-7
Luke 2:1-14
Next Sunday’s (29th) Readings:
Numbers 6:22-27
Luke 2:15-21
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are sick or suffering, including Rachel Chipchase, Tim Sadler, Linda Torr, Margaret Marsden and Nadia, or very elderly, especially Stella Young, Gerald Humphries and Arthur Williams.
The recently bereaved, especially the friends and relatives of Mick Robinson, Ron Torr & Christine Byatte.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future, such as the interregnum.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.