Life probably wouldn’t work if we got all we wished for….
Our Christmas list would be long, especially on behalf of others. How many countries in our world need this blessing at the present time? I find myself wondering at times about the gap between God’s love and the basic needs of countless millions in our world… If Christ is born as our saviour what evidence of this salvation do we see over the past 2,000 years?
As Christ said before Pilate, His kingdom is not of this world. If Christ healed all ills, righted every wrong and Blessed all in need then everyone would naturally believe in Him and we would be denied our free will.
God saw mankind’s need and so sent His Son. But Christ has come to establish a Kingdom of the heart. If we all loved God in return, and each other, then we would be a long way to solving many of our world’s problems… which is worse, the war in Ukraine or ‘wars’ that take place within families? I can’t do much as an individual about stopping the war in Ukraine but I may be able to do something about my family…?
The Blessing of Christmas can also be in our gift. We can be a sign of peace to others.
I wish you all the Peace of this season.
I thank you for my welcome and the Christmas cards & gifts I have received. Blessings upon Fr Frank in his retirement, especially in health.
And may God Bless us all, our homes, and our families.
Fr Barnabas.
"A Big Big Big Thank-you was sent from our homeless friends who were overwhelmed with the surprise Christmas Buffet our Soup Run volunteers prepared for them at the weekend - with turkey and stuffing rolls and minced pies amongst the Christmas treats.
In respect to this, I sometimes think we, (who go out on the run) have the easy job while you, (on the food & drink rota) give up your time preparing with care such excellent food that would grace any table with pride.
So this Saturday we didn’t want to let you down - a table + cloth was laden with a wonderful selection of food and those present were overjoyed by the thought that people, whom they’ve never met, should make them feel valued and special, with some saying they really felt Christmas had come to them this year. ❤️
But I must add that all year round we always get lots of kind comments on the tasty rolls and cakes they enjoy so much.
We didn’t want the occasion to pass without a picture and those in it were happy to be included in the photo - it made me realise that it’s not so much the “Presents” but the “Presence” of love, your love, that makes Christmas special.
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
John & team."
St Augustine's Church operates 2 soup run nights per month, as part of the amazing Bristol Soup Run Trust's wider scheme, to help those on the streets of our city receive food, drinks and supplies to alleviate their plight every night of the year.
Should anyone wish to get involved with our team, whether as volunteers who prepare food and drinks or those who go out on the runs or if you would like to donate items for the supplies, please make contact with the Parish office on: bristol.staugustine@cliftondiocese.com
1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 52: 7-10.
This vision Christians have always attributed to Jesus coming, but it most probably was seen as God’s return to his Temple after the Babylonian Exile. It is a beautiful vision of God’s presence and his saving grace which enhances everything and makes all things new. Hence Christians rightly saw in it a reference to Jesus and how he, as the Son of God, forgave and renewed people not just of Israel but his saving was for all the nations, hence Isaiah is able to say, “All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Jesus fulfils this prophecy perfectly. It is appropriate for us to rejoice at his coming for it really is “beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of him who brings good news.” His Gospel is “Good News”.
Psalm 97: 1-6.
A song to sing at the coming of the Lord. It is so right for us to sing or proclaim this beautiful song on this day as we remember Jesus’ first coming into the world, and we might try and let it sink into our hearts so that we might sing it when we meet him again.
2nd Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 1: 1-6.
This is a remarkable opening to the letter. It relates that the news about Jesus has always been proclaimed by God through the prophets and Hoy Scripture. His Son is proclaimed as his Son, he is also heir and that all things were created through Him. These are astounding claims and throughout this letter the author argues on the basis of Old Testament texts. The author points to the closeness of Jesus’ relationship with the Father. “He is the radiant light of God’s glory.” Also “the perfect copy of God’s nature.” We also have a picture of the nativity with “Let all the angels of God worship him,” upon introducing Jesus, his First-born, to the world. Hebrews is not always easy reading, but it is worth persevering and discovering an amazing testimony to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and saviour of the world.
The Holy Gospel according to John 1: 1-18.
My translation suggests that we should read it aloud to ourselves and let the sheer beauty and power of this most astonishing opening of John’s Gospel wash over us and be absorbed into inner most being. It is a most poetic creed, full of beauty and power. Tradition has it that this opening passage was the result of the prayer and fasting of the community on behalf of John, to write a Gospel for them like the other communities. At the conclusion of the fasting John burst forth with this most dramatic opening of any of the Gospels. It links the Old Testament from “the beginning” through to Christ. Holy Scripture opens “In the Beginning”, every Jewish Christian would immediately make the link. Proclaiming a continuity with a renewal. Those who can proclaim Jesus as Lord are born of God. An amazing statement for those of us who acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Jesus as Word and that wonderful statement of Faith “The Word was made Flesh.” The Latin Mass pre-Vatican 2, this Gospel was proclaimed at the end of nearly every Mass in the weekdays and Sundays. Its’ magic and poetry were always apparent even in Latin, and especially at the words, “Et Verbum caro factum est,” everybody genuflected in wonder at God becoming man for us. In our own language it is as dramatic and beautiful. Today we celebrate the Word becoming flesh in a babe, God comes as a weak and vulnerable baby. God relies on humans, Mary and Joseph to nourish, protect and bring the boy up in the traditions of the people of Israel. It shows how much he loves and cherishes us by allowing himself to be at such risk to rescue us from the power of sin. Today we celebrate the beginning of our freedom to live as God’s children, not born of the will of man or the urges of the flesh, but of God himself. What a gift, what a realisation of our true potential for good.
Let us celebrate Jesus’ birth, as his adopted brothers and sisters with joy and thanksgiving.
A Happy & Holy Christmas to You All. Deacon Vincent
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