:00:00. > :01:05.# The hopes and fears of all the years
:01:06. > :01:28.Loving Father, we gather together on this holy night to celebrate
:01:29. > :01:35.the birth of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
:01:36. > :01:38.We ask for your special blessing on this crib and upon those
:01:39. > :01:47.We ask you to bless our homes, our families and our friends,
:01:48. > :01:54.In particular, we remember those who are at work and those
:01:55. > :02:21.who are on their own this Christmas night.
:02:22. > :02:25.Almighty and merciful Father, from the beginning of time you have
:02:26. > :02:32.When our need for a Saviour was great, you sent your Son to be
:02:33. > :02:41.We ask you to bless this manger scene.
:02:42. > :02:47.May it be a reminder of your love for us and that
:02:48. > :02:53.you restore our human dignity in the birth of your Son.
:02:54. > :02:56.We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
:02:57. > :02:59.who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
:03:00. > :07:39.In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
:07:40. > :07:50.Welcome to St Chad's Cathedral, close to the centre of Birmingham -
:07:51. > :07:53.Pugin's gem on the edge of the city's Jewellery Quarter -
:07:54. > :07:57.where we gather to celebrate anew the birth of the Prince of Peace
:07:58. > :08:02.into a world full of fresh uncertainties as 2016
:08:03. > :08:11.I welcome all those joining us tonight from their own homes.
:08:12. > :08:15.Your hopes and concerns together with your prayers are joined
:08:16. > :08:19.to oursas we come to the crib and as we celebrate this
:08:20. > :08:36.We are especially mindful at this time of the recent terror attack in
:08:37. > :08:41.Berlin. In a moment of prayerful solidarity, in the course of this
:08:42. > :08:45.mass, the Cathedral choir will sing the first verse of Silent Night in
:08:46. > :08:50.German. I invite you to welcome the new-born
:08:51. > :08:53.Son of God with the wonder and joy of Mary and Joseph and the shepherds
:08:54. > :08:56.at Bethlehem and to ask him Brothers and sisters,
:08:57. > :09:01.let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves
:09:02. > :09:10.to celebrate the sacred mysteries. Lord Jesus, you are mighty God
:09:11. > :09:15.and Prince of Peace. You are the Son of God
:09:16. > :09:29.and the Son of Mary. You are the Word made flesh,
:09:30. > :09:43.the splendour of the Father. May almighty God have mercy on us,
:09:44. > :09:56.forgive us our sins, # et in terra pax
:09:57. > :10:44.hominibus bonae voluntatis # gratias agimus tibi propter
:10:45. > :11:12.magnam gloriam tuam, # Domine Fili unigenite,
:11:13. > :11:38.Jesu Christe, # Domine Deus, Agnus
:11:39. > :11:54.Dei, Filius Patris, # qui tollis peccata
:11:55. > :12:06.mundi, miserere nobis; # qui tollis peccata mundi,
:12:07. > :12:23.suscipe deprecationem nostram. # Qui sedes ad dexteram
:12:24. > :12:40.Patris, miserere nobis. # Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus
:12:41. > :12:52.Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, # Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu:
:12:53. > :13:28.in gloria Dei Patris. Let us Pray O God, who have
:13:29. > :14:01.made this most sacred night radiant with the
:14:02. > :14:06.splendour of the true light, grant, we pray,
:14:07. > :14:10.that we, who have known the mysteries
:14:11. > :14:15.of his light on earth, may also delight in his
:14:16. > :14:21.gladness in heaven. Who lives and reigns
:14:22. > :14:24.with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one
:14:25. > :14:32.God, for ever and ever. The people that walked in darkness
:14:33. > :14:59.has seen a great light. On those who live in a land of deep
:15:00. > :15:03.shadow, a light has shone. You have made their gladness
:15:04. > :15:07.greater, you have made their joy increase, they rejoice
:15:08. > :15:11.in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy
:15:12. > :15:19.when they are dividing the spoils. For the yoke that was
:15:20. > :15:22.weighing on him, the bar the rod of his oppressor,
:15:23. > :15:26.these you break as every cloak rolled in blood,
:15:27. > :15:38.is burnt and consumed by fire. For there is a child born for us,
:15:39. > :15:45.a Son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders -
:15:46. > :15:49.and this is the name they give him, Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God,
:15:50. > :15:55.Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace. Wide is His dominion
:15:56. > :16:00.in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David
:16:01. > :16:04.and for His royal power, which He establishes and makes
:16:05. > :16:12.secure in justice and integrity. From this day onwards and for ever,
:16:13. > :16:16.the jealous love of the Lord He will rule the world.
:16:17. > :19:55.all the people. He will judge
:19:56. > :19:55.the people with His truth. A reading from the letter
:19:56. > :20:17.of St Paul to Titus. we are waiting in hope
:20:18. > :20:23.for the blessing which will come with the appearing of
:20:24. > :20:26.the glory of our great God He sacrificed himself for us
:20:27. > :20:33.in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify
:20:34. > :20:37.a people so that it could be his very own and would have no
:20:38. > :20:49.ambition except to do good. I bring you news of great joy: today
:20:50. > :21:43.a Saviour has been to us. I bring you news of great joy: today
:21:44. > :21:47.a Saviour has been born to us. DEACON: A reading from
:21:48. > :22:40.the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Caesar Augustus issued
:22:41. > :23:01.a decree for a census This census - the first - took
:23:02. > :23:09.place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,
:23:10. > :23:11.and everyone went to his own So Joseph set out from the town
:23:12. > :23:18.of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea,
:23:19. > :23:22.to the town of David called Bethlehem, since
:23:23. > :23:26.he was of David's House and line, in order to be registered together
:23:27. > :23:29.with Mary, his betrothed, While they were there the time came
:23:30. > :23:38.for her to have her child, and she gave birth to
:23:39. > :23:42.a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling
:23:43. > :23:44.clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them
:23:45. > :23:52.at the inn. In the countryside close by,
:23:53. > :23:54.there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns
:23:55. > :23:58.to watch their flocks The Angel of the Lord appeared
:23:59. > :24:02.to them and the glory They were terrified, but the angel
:24:03. > :24:11.said, "Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great
:24:12. > :24:15.joy, a joy to be shared Today in the town of David,
:24:16. > :24:25.a Saviour has been born to you; And here is a sign for you:
:24:26. > :24:31.you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
:24:32. > :24:35.and lying in a manger." And suddenly
:24:36. > :24:37.with the angel there was a great praising God and singing: "Glory
:24:38. > :24:45.to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who
:24:46. > :24:57.enjoy his favour." ALL: Praise to you,
:24:58. > :25:23.Lord Jesus Christ. Today is the birthday
:25:24. > :25:28.of Jesus Christ. Let us be silent and
:25:29. > :25:42.let the child speak. By spending time contemplating His
:25:43. > :25:45.face and cradling Him in our arms, we are invited to be carriers
:25:46. > :25:57.of His joy, love and peace. In her Christmas message and in the
:25:58. > :26:02.words that recalled the Christian ministry of her father, as well has
:26:03. > :26:06.her own faith in Jesus Christ, the Prime Minister encouraged us, as
:26:07. > :26:09.Christians, to speak publicly of our faith and to witness to its impact
:26:10. > :26:13.on our lives and on the Christian virtues and values that form the
:26:14. > :26:17.historic foundations of our country. Mrs May said our Christian heritage
:26:18. > :26:28.is something we can all be proud of. And we can proudly celebrate the
:26:29. > :26:34.birth of Christ and the message of forgiveness, love and hope that he
:26:35. > :26:37.brings. Faith in Christ is always
:26:38. > :26:39.personal but it can never be The child born at Bethlehem wants
:26:40. > :26:43.to transform our lives not only as individuals but as families
:26:44. > :26:47.and as communities. As people are drawn to Jesus
:26:48. > :26:52.they are drawn to one another. Friendships in Christ,
:26:53. > :26:57.deeper relationships and an obligation to reach out
:26:58. > :27:02.and serve others are formed which are not incidental
:27:03. > :27:06.to being a Christian - they lie at the heart
:27:07. > :27:13.of Christian discipleship. So tonight we gather as the Church,
:27:14. > :27:19.united in an enduring fellowship by bonds of faith and affection that
:27:20. > :27:24.lead us from Christmas to Easter and Pentecost in a recurring cycle
:27:25. > :27:28.of faith that has brought us back to the crib tonight and that will
:27:29. > :27:34.send us out in service of the world. For the last 15 years
:27:35. > :27:40.here in Birmingham a crib provided by the Lowenthal family has stood
:27:41. > :27:45.at the heart of the German Market. This year it symbolized our sense
:27:46. > :27:48.of solidarity with the families and communities grieving over
:27:49. > :27:55.the loss of life and injury caused by the attack a few days ago
:27:56. > :28:01.at the Christmas Market in Berlin. We pray for their
:28:02. > :28:07.intentions tonight. The same crib, which we have just
:28:08. > :28:11.blessed here in the cathedral, is not simply a tableau of that
:28:12. > :28:15.night in Bethlehem. It helps us understand
:28:16. > :28:17.the future direction His birth at Bethlehem comes
:28:18. > :28:29.at the end of a long and uncomfortable journey for Mary
:28:30. > :28:34.and Joseph, travelling for days on foot and by mule from Nazareth
:28:35. > :28:37.to comply with the demands No sooner is he born than,
:28:38. > :28:45.like so many of the Syrian refugees we have seen on TV,
:28:46. > :28:48.his family have to up sticks They are forced to make an equally
:28:49. > :28:57.uncertain journey into Egypt. Jesus knew from the outset what it
:28:58. > :29:03.meant to be anxiously on the road - the insecurity of not knowing
:29:04. > :29:09.where to find safety, food or rest. His ministry in Galilee
:29:10. > :29:17.was travelling from town to town as a wandering preacher,
:29:18. > :29:19.curing sickness, casting out devils As his followers, we must also be
:29:20. > :29:28.on the move ourselves - and we cannot turn away the refugee
:29:29. > :29:32.or asylum seeker because we can see Jesus' face reflected
:29:33. > :29:43.in their trouble and distress. The first witnesses
:29:44. > :29:46.to the birth of the Saviour were the shepherds who lived
:29:47. > :29:48.in the fields and took it in turns to watch
:29:49. > :29:53.their flocks during the night. These were not settled people
:29:54. > :29:56.or regarded as respectable folk - they didn't occupy an important
:29:57. > :29:58.or central position but they were peripheral,
:29:59. > :30:03.at the edge of society. From the beginning of Jesus' life
:30:04. > :30:09.God's plan unfolded and was revealed not to the great and the powerful
:30:10. > :30:14.but to those on the margins of society, and these
:30:15. > :30:17.were the people he always sought Our Christmas faith
:30:18. > :30:26.is simple, yet profound. God became man in a helpless
:30:27. > :30:29.baby at Bethlehem, grew to maturity in Nazareth,
:30:30. > :30:34.preached his mission in Galilee, died and rose
:30:35. > :30:39.from the dead in Jerusalem. To some it is incredible -
:30:40. > :30:44.make-believe for children or the gullible - but for nearly
:30:45. > :30:49.a third of the world's population it is the belief that
:30:50. > :30:53.sustains us day by day, that makes us reach out
:30:54. > :30:56.with the love of God to our neighbours and those most
:30:57. > :31:01.in need, that enables us to seek forgiveness and mercy and to be
:31:02. > :31:13.forgiving and merciful ourselves. Later today, I have no doubt
:31:14. > :31:16.that Her Majesty the Queen will refer to her personal faith
:31:17. > :31:19.in Jesus Christ during her annual Christmas broadcast
:31:20. > :31:22.and to the instinct for good that faith makes fruitful in our lives
:31:23. > :31:27.and our communities. Those references will be welcome
:31:28. > :31:30.not only to the Queen's I know from the friendships that
:31:31. > :31:36.I enjoy within the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group that the personal
:31:37. > :31:41.witness of Christian faith in those who serve us in public life
:31:42. > :31:45.is welcomed by men and women A few weeks ago I was in Bethlehem
:31:46. > :31:54.on an ecumenical pilgrimage with Anglicans and Catholics
:31:55. > :31:56.from the Black Country We prayed at the Church
:31:57. > :32:04.of the Nativity and visited the Holy Places but we also met
:32:05. > :32:09.with the living stones of Bethlehem, members of the Christian communities
:32:10. > :32:12.who continue to witness, despite increasing challenges
:32:13. > :32:17.and hardships, to their abiding and ancient faith in Jesus Christ
:32:18. > :32:24.in the town of his birth. We witnessed their deep desire
:32:25. > :32:29.as people of faith for peace - peace with their Jewish and Muslim
:32:30. > :32:34.neighbours, peace for Jerusalem as the key to unlocking the gift
:32:35. > :32:40.of peace for Israel and Palestine - peace for Syria and
:32:41. > :32:44.throughout the Middle East. This quest for peace in a world
:32:45. > :32:47.whose political realities are constantly changing,
:32:48. > :32:52.and where the many-headed serpent of terrorism is constantly
:32:53. > :32:57.insinuating itself in new ways, lies at the heart of every authentic
:32:58. > :33:03.expression of religious life and it is the dominant message
:33:04. > :33:09.of Christmas every year. May Christ the new-born Prince
:33:10. > :33:13.of Peace answer every prayer for peace offered up in all parts
:33:14. > :33:46.of the world on this holy night. and it is the dominant message
:33:47. > :33:46.of Christmas every year. May Christ the new-born Prince
:33:47. > :33:46.of Peace answer every prayer for peace offered up in all parts
:33:47. > :35:35.of the world on this holy night. As we join with the angels
:35:36. > :35:38.to celebrate with joy the birth of the Son of God,
:35:39. > :35:41.let us offer our prayers to God who gives new birth
:35:42. > :35:43.to His sons and daughters We pray that all Christians
:35:44. > :35:52.never tire of the May it give us the courage to be
:35:53. > :35:57.heralds of great joy bringing the light of hope
:35:58. > :36:03.to our brothers and sisters. We pray for the nations
:36:04. > :36:18.of the world, on this May all peoples be blessed
:36:19. > :36:22.with peace, justice and reconciliation -
:36:23. > :36:30.especially in the land of -- especially in Syria and Aleppo at
:36:31. > :36:40.this time. We pray for those who exercise
:36:41. > :36:45.power and authority. and give shelter to
:36:46. > :36:49.all who are in need, especially the refugee
:36:50. > :37:09.and those who are destitute. We pray for all those who live
:37:10. > :37:16.alone. May be experienced the nearness of God and the warmth of
:37:17. > :37:23.human kindness -- a the nearness of God. Lord, here is.
:37:24. > :37:27.especially those who have lost their lives
:37:28. > :37:37.We pray for those who have lost their life in Berlin.
:37:38. > :37:39.May they experience the fullness of the salvation
:37:40. > :37:47.We turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who carried God's love
:37:48. > :37:50.asking her intercession as we pray together
:37:51. > :38:21.In silence, let us offer our own prayers to the Father.
:38:22. > :38:23.Grant us, Lord, as we honour with joyful devotion
:38:24. > :38:26.the Nativity of your Son, that we may come to know with
:38:27. > :38:29.fullness of faith the hidden depths of this mystery
:38:30. > :42:59.# Hodie in terra canunt angeli, laetantur archangeli,
:43:00. > :43:03.# Hodie exsultant justi, dicentes
:43:04. > :45:39.Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours
:45:40. > :45:55.may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
:45:56. > :46:03.May the oblation of this day's feast be
:46:04. > :46:07.pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, that through this most holy exchange
:46:08. > :46:14.we may be found in the likeness of Christ,
:46:15. > :46:21.Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
:46:22. > :46:51.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
:46:52. > :47:00.It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
:47:01. > :47:08.always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Father,
:47:09. > :47:20.For in the mystery of the Word made flesh
:47:21. > :47:26.a new light of Your glory has shone upon the
:47:27. > :47:32.eyes of our mind, so that, as we recognize in Him
:47:33. > :47:35.God made visible, we may be caught up through Him
:47:36. > :47:44.And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions,
:47:45. > :47:52.and with all the hosts and powers of heaven,
:47:53. > :48:07.we sing the hymn of Your glory, as without end we acclaim.
:48:08. > :49:04.# Pleni sunt cali et terra gloria tua.
:49:05. > :49:40.# Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
:49:41. > :50:02.You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all You have created
:50:03. > :50:04.rightly gives You praise, for through Your Son
:50:05. > :50:07.our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working
:50:08. > :50:14.of the Holy Spirit, You give life to all things and make them holy,
:50:15. > :50:18.and You never cease to gather a people to Yourself,
:50:19. > :50:22.so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice
:50:23. > :50:31.Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore You, by the same Spirit graciously
:50:32. > :50:38.make holy these gifts we have brought to You for consecration,
:50:39. > :50:43.that they may become the Body and Blood of Your Son, our
:50:44. > :50:50.Lord Jesus Christ, at Whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
:50:51. > :50:55.For the night He was betrayed He himself took bread,
:50:56. > :50:58.and giving You thanks, He said the blessing,
:50:59. > :51:04.and broke the bread and gave it to His disciples saying...
:51:05. > :51:08.Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is My body,
:51:09. > :51:38.In a similar way, when supper was ended,
:51:39. > :51:40.He took the chalice, and giving You thanks,
:51:41. > :51:42.He said the blessing, and gave the chalice
:51:43. > :51:49.Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this
:51:50. > :51:53.is the chalice of My blood, the blood of the new and eternal
:51:54. > :51:55.covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many
:51:56. > :52:49.Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the
:52:50. > :52:53.memorial of the saving Passion of Your Son,
:52:54. > :52:57.His wondrous Resurrection and Ascension into heaven,
:52:58. > :52:59.and as we look forward to His second coming,
:53:00. > :53:05.we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
:53:06. > :53:10.Look, we pray, upon the oblation of Your Church and, recognizing
:53:11. > :53:13.the sacrificial Victim by whose death You willed to reconcile us
:53:14. > :53:19.to Yourself, grant that we, who are nourished by the Body
:53:20. > :53:21.and Blood of Your Son and filled with His Holy Spirit,
:53:22. > :53:27.may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
:53:28. > :53:32.May He make of us an eternal offering to You, so that we may
:53:33. > :53:36.obtain an inheritance with Your elect, especially
:53:37. > :53:42.with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with Blessed Joseph
:53:43. > :53:45.her spouse, with Your blessed Apostles and glorious
:53:46. > :53:49.Martyrs, with Saint Chad and with all the Saints,
:53:50. > :53:52.on whose constant intercession in Your presence we rely
:53:53. > :53:59.May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord,
:54:00. > :54:06.advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
:54:07. > :54:13.Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity Your pilgrim Church
:54:14. > :54:16.on earth, with Your servant Francis our Pope and Bernard
:54:17. > :54:21.our Bishop, the Order of Bishops, all the clergy, and the entire
:54:22. > :54:32.Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom You have
:54:33. > :54:37.summoned before You, in Your compassion, O merciful Father,
:54:38. > :54:41.gather to yourself all Your children scattered throughout the world.
:54:42. > :54:45.To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing
:54:46. > :54:49.to You at their passing from this life, give kind admittance
:54:50. > :55:00.There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of Your glory
:55:01. > :55:02.through Christ our Lord, through whom You bestow
:55:03. > :55:13.Through Him, and with Him, and in Him,
:55:14. > :55:19.O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
:55:20. > :55:27.all glory and honour is Yours, for ever and ever.
:55:28. > :55:40.At the Saviour's command and formed by divine teaching,
:55:41. > :55:57.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
:55:58. > :55:59.Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
:56:00. > :56:03.as we forgive those who trespass against us.
:56:04. > :56:12.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
:56:13. > :56:18.Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously
:56:19. > :56:21.grant peace in our days, that, by the help of Your mercy,
:56:22. > :56:24.we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress,
:56:25. > :56:27.as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour,
:56:28. > :56:32.ALL: For the kingdom, the power and the glory
:56:33. > :56:39.Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your apostles
:56:40. > :56:45.Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,
:56:46. > :56:48.look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
:56:49. > :56:50.and graciously grant her peace and unity
:56:51. > :56:55.Who live and reign for ever and ever.
:56:56. > :56:57.The peace of the Lord be with you always.
:56:58. > :57:19.DEACON: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
:57:20. > :01:53.Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away
:01:54. > :03:01.Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
:03:02. > :03:39.# ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
:03:40. > :13:42.Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, that we, who are gladdened
:13:43. > :13:46.by participation in the feast of our Redeemer's Nativity,
:13:47. > :13:52.may through an honourable way of life become worthy
:13:53. > :14:00.Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
:14:01. > :14:15.As we come to the close of our celebration as we come to the close
:14:16. > :14:20.of our celebration together, I want to thank all those who have been
:14:21. > :14:23.involved in the arrangements for tonight's mass. I particularly wish
:14:24. > :14:28.to thank all those who have joined us in this celebration from their
:14:29. > :14:30.homes and I wish you and your families are very happy and blessed
:14:31. > :14:34.Christmas. May Almighty God bless you, the
:14:35. > :15:01.father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Go in peace, glorified by your life.
:15:02. > :17:22.Thanks be to God. # Hail the heav'n-born
:17:23. > :17:24.Prince of Peace! # Hark!
:17:25. > :18:14.The herald angels sing