The Nativity of Our Lord | Sunday 25 December 2022

Today is Sunday the 25th of December, Christmas Day.

The Portsmouth Grammar School Chamber Choir sing ‘My Lord Has Come’ by Will Todd.


Shepherds, called by angels,
called by love and angels:
No place for them but a stable.
My Lord has come.
Sages, searching for stars,
searching for love in heaven;
No place for them but a stable.
My Lord has come.
His love will hold me,
his love will cherish me,
love will cradle me.
Lead me, lead me to see him,
sages and shepherds and angels;
No place for me but a stable.
My Lord has come.


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.


Luke 2:1-14

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!’

Take a moment to imagine that you are present at the Birth of Jesus. Notice how delicately his mother wraps him, how gently she lays him in the manger. What sentiments are in your heart as you witness the defining moment of human history?

Notice the poverty of the stable into which Jesus is born and spend a few moments just taking it in. Savour this precious moment in which all that is fragile about humanity is graced with the extraordinary presence of God.

As you listen again, let your understanding grow as you become aware that all that has happened has happened just for you, all so that you might know the depth of the love God has for you.

As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, what do you want to ask of God to help your joy to deepen? Ask him for it now with the whole of your heart and listen to his response.

The team at Pray As You Go would like to wish you a very blessed and happy Christmas. We end today with the song, ‘Lord, Remind Me’ by Praytell and Jon Guerra…

Glory in the highest
Glory in the lowest
Glory that shines when nothing seems to shine at all
Glory in the highest
Glory in the lowest
Glory, Emmanuel
Glory in the highest
Glory in the lowest
Glory, Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Lord, remind me
Lord, remind me
That the paralytic rose
And he stood up proud on his own feet
That the thief who hung beside you is with you now
And waits for me
That the cry of faith so simple
Is the greatest song in Heaven's hymnal
Lord, remind me
'Cause it's Christmas and I want to remember


Let us now join with the choirs of angels and hosts of heaven this Christmas day as we say, ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo, Glory be to God on High.’