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[0:00] Thank you.

[0:30] Thank you.

[1:00] Thank you.

[1:30] Thank you.

[2:00] Thank you. Thank you.

[3:00] Thank you.

[3:32] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[3:44] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[3:58] Thank you. From God. And our first carol this evening is all about the angels as they sing the praises. And we're going to join with them and sing our first carol.

[4:11] 196. Angels from the realms of glory. 196. Angels from the realms of glory.

[4:41] In the fight of the early end. The use of creation story. Now broken the skies.

[4:54] The use of creation.

[5:24] The use of creation. The use of creation. There is nothing we see.

[5:41] Muthamin worship. await the use of creation. The use of creation. Please be seated.

[5:55] It's a bit warm in here. If you need to take a coat off or a cardi, please feel free to do that. And we don't like anybody to come in here and say, oh, it's cold in your church.

[6:08] Rather, you went away and said, oh, it's a bit hot. They're a bit hot. Okay. So, Christmas. The angels sang this wonderful good news.

[6:20] Come and worship. Come to God. That's the real message of Christmas. We can come to God. We can know God. We can experience him because he has come to us in Jesus Christ.

[6:32] And part of the way we come to God is by praying. And I'm going to pray and encourage you to join with me as we pray together. Let's pray. Thank you, oh, Lord, our God, that you are not a God who is unknowable, not a God who is unreachable, not a God who is so far above us that you are completely strangers to us.

[7:01] But we thank you that you are the God who has made yourself known, the God who not only made this world, but the God who has revealed himself, shown himself throughout history and throughout time, as the God who is involved and who cares for this world in which we live, even though at times we confess we are quite careless.

[7:19] And we thank you especially that in the birth of Jesus Christ, the one who is the Son of God, we thank you that we see that you are the God who is willing to get down with us into the mud and mire of life.

[7:33] You're not a God who stands aloof and is indifferent, but the God who rolls up his sleeves, the God who engages with the people of this world even at the great cost of giving up your life and suffering and dying.

[7:49] And so we thank you that when we talk to you, when we pray to you, and we can all do that, Lord, you listen, you hear, because Jesus has made that way for us to come to you.

[8:00] We thank you that he said himself that I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through me. He's the one who pioneered that way, which we could never make ourselves.

[8:13] And we thank you that we can bring to you the concerns of our hearts. We can bring to you the anxieties and the fears. We can bring to you, Lord, everything. There's nothing that we cannot talk to you about, things which are so great and huge concerning the planet and the globe, things that are very personal and intimate just to ourselves, perhaps that nobody else knows about, those secret problems or worries or sins of our own lives and hearts.

[8:42] We pray, Lord, that as we sing these carols, as we listen to the wonderful story, the events surrounding the coming of Jesus, that you would help us to see again, or know perhaps for the first time, the relevance of this incredible event, not just then but today, not just for the people who lived around Bethlehem, but, Lord, for us as well.

[9:06] So, Lord, help us then in this time. Grant us that sense and help of your Holy Spirit, for we know that he is the one who communicates and speaks with us. We pray, Lord Jesus, that we might hear your voice in everything that we do this evening.

[9:21] In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Now, I'm going to ask John. He's going to come and read the first part of the Christmas story as we know it, the Nativity, the historic events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

[9:36] Thank you, John. I'm reading from Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 1. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

[9:57] Because Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

[10:27] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means God with us.

[10:51] When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took Mary home as his wife, but he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son, and he gave him the name Jesus.

[11:07] Thanks, John. We're reading our next carol, because it was in that town of Bethlehem that Mary gave birth to that child, Jesus.

[11:19] 211, 211 in your books there, O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.

[11:51] The love of thy deeps and dream of sweet, the silence must go by.

[12:03] Yet in thy thoughts we shine, the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years Friday, of designated united척ion upon Archүs, all who 있어 on our blood.

[12:21] The hope you see thee lie. The hope you see, o little town of Bethlehem, the earth dear God, the earth of Bethlehem, but thewirity of one-who OH 109 is in our PUBG Royale, the earth of Bethlehem, the young Lord heard on our Graciaslation, O holy child of Israel, be sent to us, we pray.

[12:57] The scouts of sin and thanks of him be calling us today. We hail the Christmas leaders the great that I dispel.

[13:18] O come to us, abide with us, the Lord in a new realm.

[13:32] Sit down. We're going to have our second reading and that's coming from Ruth and that's in Luke and chapter 2 as we continue the events leading to the birth of Jesus.

[13:45] Thank you, Ruth. Luke and chapter 2. In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

[14:00] This was the first census that took place while Crunus was governor of Syria and everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house in the line of David.

[14:21] He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came from the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

[14:35] She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them available. Now I've got a special treat.

[14:46] The choir, the choir, they're only formed once a year. There's no tickets that you can buy for them on their tour, but only once a year. So you're meant to be coming as I'm filling in and waffling choir people and they're going to sing and I'll hand over to them for a moment.

[15:04] O water, the mystery I see, What marvelous design That God should come as one of us A son in David's life Flesh of a flesh of woman born Our humanness he owns And for a world of wickedness His guiltless blood atones

[16:06] His perfect man, incarnate God By selfless sacrifice Destroyed us in full history All fallen Adam's curse In him the curse of blessing turns My barren spirit falls As overshadowed power of sin The cross of Jesus does By faith the child of his Christ And an heir in David's life Royal descendant by his blood

[17:10] Restained by love's design Fathers of faith My fathers come Because in Christ I am And all God promises in me To me are yes, amen No more than as a child of earth Must I my lifetime spend His history, his destiny A mind to apprehend Oh, what a Savior What a love Oh, Master, brother, friend All miracle has joined me

[18:12] To this life that never ends Please don't clap them They'll only want to sing every week if you do No, they won't They won't No, it's lovely That was really super Thank you very much That was a lovely rendition of that song We're going to sing ourselves together now And we're going to turn to number 212 See amid the winter snow Born for us on earth Below 212 There is no snow, of course Because of global warming But you've got to imagine it When this was written There was probably snow every Christmas But now it's not the case But we're going to sing it anyway See amid the winter snow 212ом n

[19:43] CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS

[20:53] A few notices.

[21:23] To fill you in on. Following our time here. After we've sung our carols. Then downstairs. There's a bit of a tea.

[21:34] A bit of nosh and drink. And please do stay. If you can. We'd love for you to be able to stay. And just enjoy our hospitality. As much as possible.

[21:46] Also to say that. On Christmas morning. That's only three sleeps. Three sleeps to Christmas. On Christmas morning. We've got a special.

[21:58] Very short really. Christmas morning service. At 11 o'clock. That's 11 o'clock. For around about. Probably 45. 50 minutes. And particularly. It's a time.

[22:08] Not only to rejoice. In the. Christmas day. And think about the Lord Jesus. Of course. And his birth. We will be taking up. A special offering. Every Christmas day. We take a special offering. Which is going to two.

[22:20] Very needy. And worthy causes. One is going to. Those folk in Syria. Who have been. Who are basically. Migrants.

[22:30] Who have been pushed out. Of their homes. And to care for. And provide for them. And also for. A fund. Which many of us know. Called Barnabas Fund. Which again supports. Particularly Christians.

[22:41] Who have been. Imprisoned. Or even. Families have. Suffered in many different ways. And supports. And helps them. So. If you'd like to give. To those.

[22:52] Causes. Please. Bring something. For Christmas day morning. Also on Christmas day morning. We like folk. If possible. Especially if you're. Relatively young. Under 70.

[23:03] To bring. A present. If you've had a chance. To open a present. A special present. Maybe it'd be a pair of socks. A jumper. Some other item of clothing.

[23:13] Or deodorants. Of course. Some of us. You know. Are well known. For needing those things. Anyway. To bring a Prezi. Just to show. And so we can share together. As a church family.

[23:24] Because that's. Very much. What we are. One last. Notice is this. A bit later on. We're going to have the. Some of the children. Are going to be singing. Please don't take a photo. I don't know.

[23:34] Anybody. Had thought about doing that. But please don't do that. Then. But of course. For many people. Christmas. Can be a difficult time. A time when they're on their own.

[23:45] Maybe a time when they're housebound. Perhaps a time when they. See no one. We. We. Many of us. I'm sure. We'll have the great joy. We're sharing with family. And friends. Friends. On Christmas Day. And.

[23:55] And the days surrounding. But there are many. Who will be. Even homeless. On that. On that Christmas Day. And it's important for us. To remember those. Who care for them. We think of people.

[24:06] Like the Salvation Army. Wonderful. Christian organization. And many others as well. Who look to. Share the love of God. At Christmas. And. And so we're just going to pray for those. Give thanks for what we have.

[24:18] We're going to pray for those. Who will have so little. So let's pray once more. Well Lord our God. We thank you for. The way that you provide.

[24:28] All our needs. And give to us. Much more than we could possibly need. And Lord. We ask that we might not take these things. For granted. Especially at Christmas time.

[24:39] When we have the joy. Of. Friendship. And family. And relatives. And food. And so many nice things. Lord we. We ask that we might be very grateful for them.

[24:51] But Lord that we might also be thoughtful. And concerned for those who have so little. We don't know why. They may be homeless. We don't know why. Those folk are on their own. Maybe it's just simply a matter of age.

[25:04] But Lord we do pray. For all those this Christmas. Who will find it a hard time. Particularly perhaps for those. Who will be grieving this Christmas. The first Christmas. Since they've lost.

[25:15] Someone very dear to them. And we thank you. That you have. Declared yourself. To be the God of comfort. And you're the God who helps. And we thank you that you help. In so many ways.

[25:25] But we thank you for those. Of your people. Who care. And love. And give their time. To provide meals. Or shelter. Or whatever it may be. Think of the Salvation Army.

[25:37] But there's many others as well. And we pray that you would bless those. Who give of their time. And that Lord you would. Make their Christmas extra special. Even though they cannot do. Maybe the things that we will be doing.

[25:48] We pray that just being able to give. And to share. May give them such great joy too. And we do pray Lord. For those who are homeless. That there.

[25:59] It may be possible. And we know it can be possible. For them to find a place of safety and refuge. Not only this Christmas. But in the months to come. And we ask these things in Jesus name.

[26:10] Amen. Our next reading. Joel's going to come and bring. The next part of our Christmas story. From Luke and chapter 2. Thank you Joel. And there were shepherds living out.

[26:27] In the fields nearby. Keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them. And the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them.

[26:39] Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. That will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David. A saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah. The Lord.

[26:51] This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths. And lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host. Appeared with the angel. Praising God.

[27:02] And saying. Glory to God in the highest heaven. And on earth peace. To those on whom his favour rests. When the angels had left them.

[27:12] And gone into heaven. The shepherd said to one another. Let's go to Bethlehem. And see this thing. That has happened. Which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off.

[27:22] And found Mary and Joseph. And the baby. Who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him. They spread the word. Concerning what had been told them. About this child. And all those who heard it.

[27:34] Were amazed. At what the shepherd said to them. But Mary treasured up. All these things. And pondered them in her heart. The shepherd returned. Glorifying and praising God.

[27:45] For all the things. That they had heard and seen. Which were just as they had been told. Thanks Joel. Well let's sing that.

[27:56] Carol based upon. Just what we've read. While shepherds watched their flocks. By night. 220. 220. 220., The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shall around.

[28:47] With our city, O mighty dread, and seas that troubled night, And the heavens of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.

[29:11] The angel of the Lord came down, and the sea that blessed thy full star. O glory to paradise, and to thee and beneath, O God bless the crown and to earth, we may have ever seen.

[29:41] O glory to paradise, and to thee and beneath, O glory to paradise, and to thee and beneath, O glory to paradise, and to thee and beneath, O glory to highs and highs.

[30:18] O glory toут deus, and to thee and beneath Mary and joseph, they're alright. Hard was the journey, long was the night, Now there's a baby at their sight.

[30:38] Changing the darkness to glorious light. Come and worship him. Come and worship him.

[30:54] Come and worship Jesus Christ the newborn king.

[31:04] Shepherds have come from dales nearby. But the good news from angels on high.

[31:16] Ran all the way till they arrived. Who could imagine the joy they would find.

[31:27] Come and worship him. Come and worship him. Come and worship Jesus Christ the newborn king.

[31:49] Wise men have come from far away. Traveled for miles and any a day.

[31:59] Bringing the gifts they kneel and say. We give you glory King Jesus today. Come and worship him.

[32:15] Come and worship him. Come and worship him. Come and worship him. Jesus Christ the newborn king.

[32:30] Children and every boca, They come from the air. Beautiful amended corn. Will will will will will that has his time. Be with the peacock's wife is called hard.

[32:40] bud and pray in heaven. Can thoserenaline were filled with nothing bad. If repentance is held with nothing bad. Speaking of things. Come and worship Him, come and worship Him, come and worship Him, come and worship Jesus, Christ the newborn King.

[33:13] All of our journeys brought us far, some led by angels, some by a star, now in this stable here at last, joining together with love in our hearts.

[33:33] Come and worship Him, come and worship Him, come and worship Jesus, Christ the newborn King.

[33:53] Come and worship Him, come and worship Him, come and worship Jesus, Christ the newborn King.

[34:13] Christ the newborn King. That was amazing.

[34:32] And they did it without any words. That must have been a lot, a lot of practice, you guys, that you could learn all those words and sing them so well. That was really lovely.

[34:43] Thank you so much. That was great. Now, we've got one more reading. Ali's going to come and read to us about those wise men who came to worship Jesus in Matthew in chapter 2.

[34:58] So, thank you, Ali. The Magi visits the Messiah.

[35:13] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?

[35:28] We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him.

[35:39] When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written.

[35:55] But you, Bethlehem in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judea, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

[36:07] Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the child.

[36:23] As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

[36:43] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.

[36:54] Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.