“Truth is sprung out of the earth…..” : From Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Westminster Cathedral
“Truth is sprung out of the earth, for the Word was made flesh. And justice looked down from heaven, for every best gift, and every perfect gift is from above.”
These words, taken from St Augustine’s Sermon 185 were read last night and the night before at the Christmas Celebration. They point us to the very heart of what we are celebrating at Christmas, the wonderful gift to us of the Son of God, the Word made flesh, the Incarnate Word, who chose to take human flesh and enter into our world through the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, his mother. This Gift is the cause of our joy. Pope Francis, in a recent interview said: “Christmas is God’s meeting with his people. This is a beautiful thing.” A beautiful thing indeed, for which we are truly thankful. How shall we demonstrate our gratitude?
Two years ago I was privileged to lead a pilgrimage to Syria. One of my lasting memories of that visit was the number of children who ran to greet us every time we got down from our coach, not with hands outstretched expecting some coins, as in other places, but with hands reaching out in welcome. “Welcome to our country” and “Enjoy your stay” were greetings we heard everywhere. Reflecting on the disaster that has overwhelmed Syria in recent months makes me wonder what has happened to those smiling, happy children. What has happened to the shopkeeper in Aleppo who welcomed us in with coffee and dates? The great covered market where he welcomed us is now a ruin, burnt to the ground. And what of the parishes and schools who received us so kindly? Bishops, priests and nuns have been kidnapped, Christian laypeople have been killed or driven out of their homes, millions are now living in squalor in refugee camps.
This year in Westminster Cathedral we have a new Crib, purchased through your generous response to my request for funds. I hope you will like it and that you will find it a real help to your Christmas devotions, and that it will continue to inspire those who visit it for many years to come. When you kneel and pray before the figure of the Christ Child please pray for the people of Syria in their hour of suffering. Remember too the people of the Philippines recovering from the recent typhoon, the people of the Central African Republic and the Southern Sudan, and our fellow Christians throughout the Middle East. One way of showing our gratitude to God for the great gift of his Son to us is by raising our hands in heartfelt prayer for those who are denied the peace and goodwill that he came to bring. This is not only our privilege, it is our duty.
On behalf of my fellow Chaplains, may I wish you all a very blessed and happy Christmas.
Two years ago I was privileged to lead a pilgrimage to Syria. One of my lasting memories of that visit was the number of children who ran to greet us every time we got down from our coach, not with hands outstretched expecting some coins, as in other places, but with hands reaching out in welcome. “Welcome to our country” and “Enjoy your stay” were greetings we heard everywhere. Reflecting on the disaster that has overwhelmed Syria in recent months makes me wonder what has happened to those smiling, happy children. What has happened to the shopkeeper in Aleppo who welcomed us in with coffee and dates? The great covered market where he welcomed us is now a ruin, burnt to the ground. And what of the parishes and schools who received us so kindly? Bishops, priests and nuns have been kidnapped, Christian laypeople have been killed or driven out of their homes, millions are now living in squalor in refugee camps.
This year in Westminster Cathedral we have a new Crib, purchased through your generous response to my request for funds. I hope you will like it and that you will find it a real help to your Christmas devotions, and that it will continue to inspire those who visit it for many years to come. When you kneel and pray before the figure of the Christ Child please pray for the people of Syria in their hour of suffering. Remember too the people of the Philippines recovering from the recent typhoon, the people of the Central African Republic and the Southern Sudan, and our fellow Christians throughout the Middle East. One way of showing our gratitude to God for the great gift of his Son to us is by raising our hands in heartfelt prayer for those who are denied the peace and goodwill that he came to bring. This is not only our privilege, it is our duty.
On behalf of my fellow Chaplains, may I wish you all a very blessed and happy Christmas.
Mass times at Westminster Cathedral on Christmas Eve:
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7:00
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Mass
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7:40
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Morning Prayer
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8:00
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Mass
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10:30
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Mass (Latin)
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12:30
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Mass
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13:05
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Mass
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16:00
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First Vespers of Christmas
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18:00
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First Mass of Christmas
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23:15
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Office of Readings
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23:55
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Midnight Mass
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