Merry Christmas,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Christmas 2024.
In my Christmas sermon, I invite us to reflect on the profound story of Christ’s birth, a reminder that God’s love and value for each of us is not based on wealth, status, or power. Through the humble setting of a stable and the shepherds’ unlikely role as the first to hear the Good News, we celebrate the truth that every person is cherished by God.
Christmas Candle Prayer
Loving God, at this holy time, we light the Christmas candle, celebrating the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.
In the glow of this light, we are reminded that Your love is for everyone, no matter their status or station in life. Just as You announced the Good News to shepherds, ordinary people with extraordinary worth in Your eyes, so You remind us tonight that our value is found not in what we have or do, but in being Your beloved children.
May this light shine in our hearts and our world, a beacon of hope, joy, and peace. Help us to carry the message of Christ’s love into a world longing for meaning and worth. Amen.
Today’s Opening Sentence
I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day a Saviour, Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:10-11
Today’s Reading – 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 Savior, 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 favors!”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.
Reflection questions for the week:
- How do I typically measure my own worth, and how does that align with how God sees me?
- What societal values or pressures might be influencing the way I celebrate Christmas or view myself during this season?
- How can I embody the humility and inclusiveness of the shepherds’ story in my interactions with others?
- In what ways can I resist the consumerist culture around me and focus on the true meaning of Christmas in my daily life?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ↩︎