Dear Friends
We have as our Christmas services the following.
Tuesday 23rd December — 6.30 pm
Paraklesis
Wednesday 24th December — 9 am
Royal Hours
Thursday 25th December — 9 am
Matins and Divine Liturgy
But what are these services? How do they affect me and why are they important?
Paraklesis on Tuesday is not strictly speaking a Christmas service: it is a prayer service where we ask for God’s blessing through the intercessions of the Mother of God. And as the world focuses on material gifts and indulgence we offer prayer for the health, safety and salvation of all whom we love: everyone! Please bring with you a list of Christian/first names on a piece of paper of all the living for whom you’d like us to pray. They can include those who are Orthodox and those who are not.
At the conclusion of the Paraklesis (approximately 1 hour) all those present will have the opportunity to be anointed with Myrrh from the wonderworking Hawaiian Myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God.
The Royal Hours on Wednesday prepares us for the feast. Through hymns and Scripture readings the true mystery of Christmas, that our God humbled himself to become one of us that we might be freed from enslavement to sin and the tyranny of death, is proclaimed.
Make ready, O Bethlehem; let the manger be prepared, let the cave show its welcome. The Truth is come, the shadow is passed away; God hath appeared from a Virgin unto men, formed as we are, and deifying that which He hath assumed. Wherefore, Adam is renewed with Eve, as they cry out: Thy good will hath appeared on earth to save our race.
Today there is born of the Virgin He that holdeth all creation in the palm of His hand.
With swaddling clothes is He wrapped as a mortal, He that is unapproachable in essence.
God reclineth in a manger, He that of old established the heavens in the beginning.
With milk at the breast is He nourished, He that in the wilderness rained manna on the people.
Magi doth He call to Himself, He that is the Bridegroom of the Church.
Their gifts doth He receive, He that is the Son of the Virgin.
We worship Thy Nativity, O Christ.
Show us also Thy divine Theophany!
The Royal Hours are a beautiful way to contemplate the meaning of this sacred Feast. It is based on the prayers of the day (the Hours) but, in former times, it would be attended by the emperor, hence why it is called ‘Royal,’ because of the significance of the service. It will last approximately 1 hour.
And then, at its culmination, we receive Christ. Matins and Divine Liturgy on Thursday is where we transform the feast. No longer is it about an event more than two thousand years ago which we think about—Christ born in a cave, Christ born of a Virgin—but we participate in it, join it, become a part of it: Christ born in us. Christ offers Himself to the faithful, as Word and as Lamb, that we might partake of Life. We reject the world which is controlled by demonic powers and turn towards the living God.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Christmas is a celebration of the beginning of the end of idolatry, sin and even death: the incarnation—God made flesh—is revealed to more and the Devil is on borrowed time. Make this a part of your life, of your journey to the Kingdom, that God be born in each of us.
I wish to you all and to your friends and families a joyous celebration of the Nativity according to the flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Come and see!
Confessions are available following any service or by appointment.
We serve a meal following the Liturgy on Sundays. All are welcome.
Do you, or someone you know, want to join our mailing list and receive our weekly email? Then let me know.
Sermon
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.
The Gospel is for us the explosion of joy into the world. At its beginning and at its end, joy is proclaimed. “Do not be afraid,” says the angel to the shepherds,
“for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.”
— Luke 2:10–11
And at its conclusion the Apostles,
“worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
— Luke 24:52–53
Yes, indeed, ours is a Faith of joy, of wonder, of glory to the living God. Christ has nullified idolatry, removed the power of sin which held us unjustly and defeated even death. And our response must be of joy, of gratitude, of thanksgiving. “This is the day the Lord has made,” cries out the Psalmist, “Let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.” (Psalm 117:24 ʟxx)
…
Read this Sermon, The joyful Banquet.
Archive of Past Sermons.
Services this week
Friday 19th December
Discussion on the Prophecy of Isaiah, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 20th December
Great Vespers, 6.30 pm
At 3rd URC Scout Hall, Chandlers Ford
Sunday 21st December
Matins & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
At 3rd URC Scout Hall, Chandlers Ford
Online session is via Google Meet: please get indd contact for the details.
Please join us: all are welcome, come and see.
Attending Church
We meet at 3rd URC Scout HQ, Kings Rd, Chandlers Ford SO53 2EY. The Scout hall is behind and to the left of the URC Church. Come and See.
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the parish?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
webenquiry@orthodoxeastleigh.uk