:05:13. > :05:16.In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
:05:17. > :05:27.We gather on this Holy night to celebrate the birth
:05:28. > :05:31.in to the world of the Son of God, Emmanuel - God with us - born not
:05:32. > :05:35.in strength with great fanfare, but as a fragile child
:05:36. > :05:43.I welcome you all to the Cathedral Church of St George,
:05:44. > :05:48.the mother church of the Catholic diocese of Southwark,
:05:49. > :05:50.those who are here with me in the Cathedral and those joining
:05:51. > :06:00.This church has been here, just south of the River
:06:01. > :06:14.Within a mile of this place are the old and new.
:06:15. > :06:16.The Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare's Globe,
:06:17. > :06:18.Waterloo Station, the Elephant and Castle, and the London Eye.
:06:19. > :06:21.The community of this place reflects the diverse nature of our capital
:06:22. > :06:27.city, with parishioners who have links all over the world,
:06:28. > :06:31.symbolised by the wide variety of languages they know,
:06:32. > :06:34.some of which we will hear later in the Mass during the Prayers
:06:35. > :06:42.As we continue our celebrations, I invite the Cathedral Dean to place
:06:43. > :06:44.the figure of the baby Jesus into the manger
:06:45. > :06:47.and to bless our nativity scene, a visual aid to our devotion
:06:48. > :07:01.Dear friends in Christ, on this special
:07:02. > :07:04.night, as we meet to celebrate the birth
:07:05. > :07:10.of Christ, let us pray that God will bless
:07:11. > :07:12.this crib, that all who worship his Son,
:07:13. > :07:14.born of the Virgin Mary, may come to share his life
:07:15. > :07:26.God our Father, on this night your Son
:07:27. > :07:28.Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary
:07:29. > :07:40.Bless this crib which we have prepared to
:07:41. > :07:43.May all who see it be strengthened in faith,
:07:44. > :07:46.and receive the fullness of life he came to bring,
:07:47. > :08:31.Christ the Light of the world has come to
:08:32. > :08:35.In his light may we give glory to God, Father,
:08:36. > :13:20.O God, who have made this most sacred
:13:21. > :13:22.night radiant with the splendour of the true
:13:23. > :13:28.light, grant, we pray, that we, who have
:13:29. > :13:29.known the mysteries of his light on earth,
:13:30. > :13:34.may also delight in his gladness in heaven.
:13:35. > :13:36.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity
:13:37. > :13:38.of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
:13:39. > :13:59.The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light.
:14:00. > :14:08.On those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
:14:09. > :14:10.You have made their gladness greater, you have made
:14:11. > :14:16.They rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time,
:14:17. > :14:23.as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.
:14:24. > :14:25.For the yoke that was weighing on him, the barb across his
:14:26. > :14:29.shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of
:14:30. > :14:34.For all the footgear of battle, every cloak rolled in blood,
:14:35. > :14:41.For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion
:14:42. > :14:50.Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
:14:51. > :14:55.Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end.
:14:56. > :14:59.For the throne of David and for his royal power,
:15:00. > :15:02.which he establishes and makes secure in justice and integrity.
:15:03. > :15:05.From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love of the Lord
:15:06. > :16:04.O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
:16:05. > :16:40.and his wonders among all the peoples.
:16:41. > :16:47.Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad,
:16:48. > :17:06.let the sea and all within it thunder praise.
:17:07. > :17:12.Let the land and all it bears rejoice,
:17:13. > :17:17.all the trees of the wood shout for joy
:17:18. > :17:24.at the presence of the Lord for he comes,
:17:25. > :17:49.With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the people
:17:50. > :18:19.And reading from the of St Paul's to Titus.
:18:20. > :18:21.God's grace has been revealed, and it has
:18:22. > :18:23.made salvation possible for the whole
:18:24. > :18:26.human race and taught us that what we
:18:27. > :18:30.have to do is to give up everything that
:18:31. > :18:34.does not lead to God, and all our worldly
:18:35. > :18:38.ambitions, we must be self-restrained and
:18:39. > :18:41.live good and religious lives here in this
:18:42. > :18:47.present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing
:18:48. > :18:52.which will come with the Appearing of the glory
:18:53. > :18:57.of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus.
:18:58. > :19:00.He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us
:19:01. > :19:03.free from all wickedness and to purify
:19:04. > :19:08.a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition
:19:09. > :20:50.A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
:20:51. > :21:12.Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world
:21:13. > :21:18.This census - the first - took place while
:21:19. > :21:23.Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town
:21:24. > :21:32.So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
:21:33. > :21:34.and travelled up to Judaea, to the town
:21:35. > :21:38.of David called Bethlehem, since he was of
:21:39. > :21:42.David's House and line, in order to be
:21:43. > :21:53.While they were there the time came for her to have
:21:54. > :22:01.her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first born.
:22:02. > :22:04.She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him
:22:05. > :22:07.in a manger because there was no room for
:22:08. > :22:14.In the countryside close by there were
:22:15. > :22:17.shepherds who lived in the fields and took
:22:18. > :22:19.it in turns to watch their flocks during
:22:20. > :22:25.The angel of the Lord appeared to
:22:26. > :22:27.them and the glory of the Lord shone
:22:28. > :22:33.They were terrified, but the angel said,
:22:34. > :22:39.Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy
:22:40. > :22:48.Today in the town of David a saviour has been born
:22:49. > :23:05.in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'
:23:06. > :23:08.And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng
:23:09. > :23:13.of the heavenly host, praising God and singing.
:23:14. > :23:16.'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy
:23:17. > :23:49.Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
:23:50. > :24:18."The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light.
:24:19. > :24:24.On those who live in the land of deep shadow, a light has shone."
:24:25. > :24:28.These themes of light and darkness in the ancient world were often used
:24:29. > :24:32.as symbols of peoples experience of life.
:24:33. > :24:37.Light was associated with goodness, knowledge and hope.
:24:38. > :24:43.Darkness symbolised evil, ignorance and despair.
:24:44. > :24:47.In the time of the prophet Isaiah, the Israelites were an embattled
:24:48. > :24:52.people, oppressed by foreign powers and driven into exile.
:24:53. > :24:56.In those dark days they were convinced that the God
:24:57. > :24:59.of their fathers had been abandoned them,
:25:00. > :25:04.and in their misery they pleaded with God to have mercy on them.
:25:05. > :25:09.The Prophet Isaiah gives them a message of hope,
:25:10. > :25:12.promising that the time would indeed come when their God would come
:25:13. > :25:26.For there is a child born for us, a son given to us, and this is the
:25:27. > :25:27.name they give him. Wonder councillor, mighty God, eternal
:25:28. > :25:31.Father, Prince of peace. As Christians we believe that this
:25:32. > :25:34.promise was fulfilled on the first Christmas night when God became man
:25:35. > :25:41.in the person of Jesus Christ - Emmanuel, "God with us!",
:25:42. > :25:43.the long awaited Messiah, the Saviour and Redeemer
:25:44. > :25:49.of the world. That wonderful, joyful news,
:25:50. > :25:52.was announced by the angel I bring you news of great
:25:53. > :26:08.joy, a joy to be shared Today in the town of David a saviour
:26:09. > :26:12.has been born to you. in the prologue to his Gospel,
:26:13. > :26:20.John saying of Jesus Christ, "All that came to be had life in him
:26:21. > :26:24.and that light was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark,
:26:25. > :26:27.a light that darkness could not overpower, the true light that
:26:28. > :26:34.enlightens all men." made visible the God we cannot see -
:26:35. > :26:44.the God who is slow to anger So whilst our hearts are filled
:26:45. > :26:47.with joy and hope tonight, we can't ignore or forget the pain
:26:48. > :26:50.and the tragic experiences of so many people in the world
:26:51. > :26:53.today, nor the sadness and heartbreaks which arise
:26:54. > :27:09.from time to time in our own lives I'm thinking especially of the
:27:10. > :27:12.terrifying events in Paris just over a month ago. The persecution and
:27:13. > :27:16.slaughter of Christians and many others resulting in the refugee
:27:17. > :27:23.crisis in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Famine in
:27:24. > :27:35.Ethiopian and extreme poverty and lack of education in other
:27:36. > :27:41.countries. The list is endless. These tragedies reminders that there
:27:42. > :27:43.is a need for reduction from sin and evil.
:27:44. > :27:46.As Christians we believe that this work of salvation and redemption
:27:47. > :27:49.is literally a labour of love and mercy which God pursues through,
:27:50. > :27:52.with and in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
:27:53. > :27:54.But the working out of that redemption has to take place
:27:55. > :27:58.in every age and will continue to be worked out until the second coming
:27:59. > :28:11.by taking on our wounded humanity, he became our brother, our closest
:28:12. > :28:16.friend and companion on the road of life, sharing our pain and
:28:17. > :28:22.isolation. He came to share our lives intimately, the show us how to
:28:23. > :28:30.carry our burdens and following his example how to care for those most
:28:31. > :28:37.in need. He is our model, for Jesus said of himself, I am the way, the
:28:38. > :28:42.truth and the life. He came to show us the way back to the house of our
:28:43. > :28:46.heavenly Father, the prodigal Father, slow to anger and rich in
:28:47. > :28:53.mercy. Who waits with infinite compassion and patience the final
:28:54. > :28:57.return home of all his children. So for us and all people of goodwill,
:28:58. > :29:04.Christmas is pre-eminently a season of joy and hope. The challenge for
:29:05. > :29:09.each one of us is to allow Jesus Christ to be born again in our
:29:10. > :29:14.hearts. To allow his love, mercy and compassion to become incarnate in
:29:15. > :29:20.our hearts and minds, so that in our own times we might be lights in a
:29:21. > :29:28.world which has grown so dark with selfishness and sin. And in this
:29:29. > :29:32.jubilee year of mercy Pope Francis is calling all Christians and all
:29:33. > :29:36.people of good will to a profound conversion of heart, turning away
:29:37. > :29:43.from selfishness and self-interest to reveal in our lives that infinite
:29:44. > :29:49.love and mercy of God by making our own unique contribution to the task
:29:50. > :29:54.of healing human brokenness. The fostering peace and harmony in human
:29:55. > :30:01.relationships. And through the Corporal Works of Mercy feeding the
:30:02. > :30:06.hungry, differing drink to the thirsty, closing the naked, healing
:30:07. > :30:11.the sick, so to bring a little of Christ's life into the darkness of
:30:12. > :30:16.the world in which we live. So my prayer for you all tonight is that
:30:17. > :30:21.the message of Christ will find a home in you and that the peace of
:30:22. > :30:26.Christ may rein in your hearts tonight and throughout the coming
:30:27. > :30:29.year -- reign in your hearts tonight. Let us commit ourselves to
:30:30. > :30:35.living out this Jubilee year of mercy by doing what we can to help
:30:36. > :30:40.all those who are in need, relieving their pain and suffering both at
:30:41. > :30:45.home and abroad. And insofar as we show mercy to those in need, we can
:30:46. > :30:52.be quite certain that God will show mercy to us. In the name of the
:30:53. > :31:06.Father and of the sun and the Holy Spirit. Arnell. -- Ahmed.
:31:07. > :31:19.# Amen. So let us stand and profess our
:31:20. > :35:32.faith in God and his church. My brothers and sisters,
:35:33. > :35:35.as we gather to worship the Christ Child,
:35:36. > :35:37.born tonight, let us open our hearts and minds
:35:38. > :39:37.to him in prayer. In the blessed silence of this holy
:39:38. > :40:11.night, let us now present our personal needs to God.
:40:12. > :40:18.Almighty Father whose love knows no bounds, whose compassion knows no
:40:19. > :40:27.end. Hear the prayers of your people. As we celebrate the perfect
:40:28. > :40:30.gift to your human family, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
:40:31. > :45:13.Amen. Pray, brothers and sisters,
:45:14. > :45:17.that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God,
:45:18. > :45:20.the almighty Father. May the Lord accept
:45:21. > :45:32.the sacrifice at your hands May the oblation of this day's
:45:33. > :45:35.feast be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, that
:45:36. > :45:37.through this most holy exchange we may be found in
:45:38. > :45:40.the likeness of Christ, Who lives and reigns
:45:41. > :46:04.for ever and ever. The Lord be with you.
:46:05. > :46:11.Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks to the Lord our
:46:12. > :46:17.God. It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation. Always and
:46:18. > :46:24.everywhere to give you thanks. Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal
:46:25. > :46:28.God. For in the mystery of the word made flesh, a new light of your
:46:29. > :46:36.glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind. So as we recognise in him God
:46:37. > :46:44.may visible. We may be caught up through him in love of things
:46:45. > :46:48.invisible. So with angels and archangels, thrones and dominions.
:46:49. > :46:52.With all of the hosts and the powers of heaven. We sing the hymn of your
:46:53. > :47:32.glory as without him we are claimed. You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
:47:33. > :48:49.the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore,
:48:50. > :48:53.these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit
:48:54. > :48:57.upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become
:48:58. > :49:01.for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
:49:02. > :49:05.At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly
:49:06. > :49:10.into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,
:49:11. > :49:14.and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you,and
:49:15. > :49:21.eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.
:49:22. > :49:35.In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and,
:49:36. > :49:40.once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples,
:49:41. > :49:44.saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this
:49:45. > :49:49.is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new
:49:50. > :49:52.and eternal covenant. Which will be poured out
:49:53. > :49:55.for you and for many The mystery of faith.
:49:56. > :50:23.Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection
:50:24. > :50:34.you have set us free. Therefore o Lord, as we celebrate
:50:35. > :50:37.the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you,
:50:38. > :50:41.Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,
:50:42. > :50:45.giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence
:50:46. > :50:50.and minister to you. Humbly we pray that,
:50:51. > :50:53.partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
:50:54. > :50:56.we may be gathered into one Remember, Lord, your
:50:57. > :51:03.Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her
:51:04. > :51:05.to the fullness of charity, together with Francis our Pope
:51:06. > :51:09.and Peter our bishop, his assistant bishops
:51:10. > :51:14.and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers
:51:15. > :51:18.and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
:51:19. > :51:22.and all who have died in your mercy. Welcome them into the
:51:23. > :51:26.light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray,
:51:27. > :51:33.that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the blessed
:51:34. > :51:36.Joseph her spouse, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints
:51:37. > :51:38.who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be
:51:39. > :51:42.coheirs to eternal life, Jesus Christ.
:51:43. > :51:52.you through your Son, and in him, O God, almighty Father,
:51:53. > :52:03.in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours,
:52:04. > :52:33.for ever and ever. Now at the saviour's command,
:52:34. > :52:37.informed by divine teaching, we dare to sing.
:52:38. > :53:30.Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
:53:31. > :53:36.Deliverers, oh Lord, we pray, from every evil. Graciously grant peace
:53:37. > :53:40.in our days, that by the help of your mercy we may be always free
:53:41. > :53:46.from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the bless the hope and
:53:47. > :53:53.the coming of our saviour, Jesus Christ.
:53:54. > :54:03.Lord Jesus Christ, who said the Europe Austell is, peace, I leave
:54:04. > :54:08.you, my piece, I give you. Look not on our sins but on the face of your
:54:09. > :54:12.church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with
:54:13. > :54:20.your will, who live and reign for ever and ever. The piece of the Lord
:54:21. > :54:24.be with you always. And with your spirit. Letters offer each other the
:54:25. > :57:03.sign of peace. Behold the Lamb of God,
:57:04. > :57:05.behold him who takes Blessed are those called
:57:06. > :58:12.to the supper of the Lamb. In Splendoribus
:58:13. > :58:36.sanctorum, exutero ante # Even to the uttermost
:58:37. > :59:56.end of the earth. # Even to the uttermost
:59:57. > :00:21.end of the earth. # Even to the uttermost
:00:22. > :00:46.end of the earth. # The people that
:00:47. > :00:55.walked in darkness. # The people that dwell
:00:56. > :01:13.in the shadow of death. # And the government shall
:01:14. > :01:47.be upon His shoulders. # And his name shall
:01:48. > :02:04.be called Wonderful. # The everlasting Father.
:02:05. > :02:22.# The Prince of Peace. # Even to the uttermost
:02:23. > :02:58.end of the earth. # Even to the uttermost
:02:59. > :03:23.end of the earth. # Even to the uttermost
:03:24. > :09:25.end of the earth. Grant us we pray, Our Lord, our God.
:09:26. > :09:30.That we who are gladdened by our participation in the feast of
:09:31. > :09:36.nativity, may for an honourable and worthy life became worthy of union
:09:37. > :09:46.with him, who lives and reigns forever and every. Amen.
:09:47. > :09:51.And just before the blessing and dismissal, may I wish you all, those
:09:52. > :09:57.here, those watching on the television, a very joyful, peaceful
:09:58. > :10:03.and blessed Christmas. As when Christ was born, Mary and Joseph,
:10:04. > :10:08.the shepherds, rejoiced a what a great gift God had given not only
:10:09. > :10:13.them but the whole human race. We thank him this evening for that, so,
:10:14. > :10:17.go in peace. Rejoice, despite the darkness of the world and may your
:10:18. > :10:26.acts of mercy help all of those in need.
:10:27. > :10:32.To the Lord, be with you. Bow down for the blessing.
:10:33. > :10:37.May the God of infinite goodness, who by the incarnation of his son
:10:38. > :10:43.has driven darkness from the world and by that glorious birth has I
:10:44. > :10:48.resumened this holiy night, drive far from you the darkness of vice
:10:49. > :10:55.and I humanen your hearts with the light of virtue. May God who willed
:10:56. > :11:00.that the great joy of his son saving birth be announced to shepherds by
:11:01. > :11:07.the angel, fill your minds with the gladness he gives and make you
:11:08. > :11:12.heralds of his gospel. And may God, by the incarnation who brought
:11:13. > :11:16.together the earthly and heavenly realm, fill you with the gift of his
:11:17. > :11:21.peace and favour and make your sharers with the church in heaven.
:11:22. > :11:25.Amen. And may Almighty God bless you all,
:11:26. > :11:26.the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
:11:27. > :11:44.Amen. Go forth, in peace ,glorify the Lord
:11:45. > :11:47.by your light.