Christmas Eve | Sunday 24 December 2023

Today is Sunday the 24th of December, Christmas Eve.

As we enter into prayer on this final day of Advent, with Salt of the Sound singing, ‘O Holy Night’, you might like to reflect back on your Advent journey… has anything been different or new this year in your preparations? Where has God spoken to you?

O holy night
A thrill of hope… for a weary world
For yonder breaks… a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night, when Christ was born
Christ is the Lord!
O praise His name forever!
His power and glory forever more proclaim
His power and glory forever more proclaim
O night divine…
O night…
O night divine!

Luke 1: 26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

The fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas Eve. We are close.

Jesus, who will be called ‘Son of God’ is nearly here. He is waiting to enter the world. Mary has borne him and soon she will birth him.

Are we not all called to this? . . .

Do you hear the angel asking if you will bear Jesus into the world? . . .

How can this be when I am, well, me?! I’m just me!

Be still. Let God’s Spirit overshadow you . . .

Listen again to the encounter that transformed the history of humanity and notice Mary’s courageous response . . .

What part of this Jesus are you especially called to bring into the world? . . .

Speak now to the angel in your own words . . .

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus