That sense of anticipation…

I hope there is a real sense of excitement as we approach Christmas. Admittedly the question amongst a fair proportion of the clergy is, how are we going to do it? And the answer is that we will celebrate Christ’s birth by any means possible. That will entail more than last year, at least. We’re planning Carol Services for a start - though we can’t manage the numbers in the past, so please do book your place! It’s not to put you off - it’s to ensure that you find a seat when you arrive. You can book either by using the sign-up sheets in church or by contacting our Wardens. Please give name, phone number and how many places; details on the next page.

I’m sorry we can’t simply say, ”Welcome all-comers! Just turn up.” But don’t let that put you off. It doesn’t really take that much effort to pick up the phone - or put your name on a list in church. And the fact is that Christ comes to us - he is the child born to redeem us all. That’s worth singing about - and it’s worth bringing ourselves also to the Eucharist to meet him who shares with us his body and his blood. This is to meet with God’s Son, born in our human flesh.

Remember that for most services you can just turn up on the day. If we’re not already doing that, then I hope Christmas might be a nudge. Jesus is not just for Christmas - he’s for the whole year round. Jesus is not just the Child of Bethlehem to be worshipped in the manger - he’s the Saviour who must be allowed to grow in our hearts, calling us to follow where he goes.

And be ready to meet him - not only in the stable in Bethlehem, but in any person whom he calls his brother or his sister. “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” At Christmas we see one who lies on a bed of straw, one whose family found “no room at the inn” - a family soon forced to flee as refugee-migrants for their own safety. It’s sad that so many of the conditions they knew are still a reality.

What is God saying to us now?                                   

Martin Jackson

Get ready for Christmas!  When and how to book…

We’d love to “do” Christmas just as we have in the past. But in view of the pandemic, we can’t cram up to 350 people into St. Cuthbert’s Church for a Christingle Service on Christmas Eve! However, there shouldn’t be any problem with “Midnight Mass” which we’re holding at midnight, Bethlehem time - i.e. 10pm in Shotley Bridge (no booking required!). Check our Calendar page for all the services available.

We ask you to book a place for the following services; lists in church or via phone contacts - let us know your contact details & how many seats.

Unless exempt please wear a face covering for each of these services:

St. John’s Church, Castleside

Sunday 19 December     6pm Carol Service (Jean Carter 01207 235569)

Thursday 24 December 8pm Christmas Vigil Mass (book as above)

 

St. Cuthbert’s Church, Shotley Bridge

Thursday 24 December 4pm Christmas Eve Carols & Blessing of Crib

(book via Linda Short 01207 503750)