The “O” Antiphons leading up to Christmas

T he Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfilment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of Nations) and O Emmanuel (O God-with-us).

Christmas Get-Together at St Boniface

The annual Christmas Get-Together in St Boniface Hall will take place this Saturday, 21 December, 2.00-4.00pm. Finger food will be on offer and some desserts too. If they can, people are asked to bring a plate of food along to share. Carols will be sung, and “Goody bags” and selection boxes will be given to the children.

Parish Carol Service

Our Carol Service involving the communities of St James, St Boniface and St Andrew will take place at 7.30pm this Saturday, 21 December, at St Andrew’s. Please do come along as part of your preparation for Christmas.

Advent Reflection Group

Join Monika Manser for the last time at 7 Blundell’s Avenue at 9.30am on Tuesday to reflect on the daily meditations in the book “Advent and Christmas Wisdom” by Henri J.M Nouwen?

Tree of Hope for CHAT

There is a CHAT Tree of Hope in the narthex at St Andrew’s. Each tag on the tree contains the option of either making a financial donation or purchasing a specific item to be dropped off at CHAT, who will ensure it goes to people in need in the community. Choose a tag and either donate on your own behalf or perhaps as a thoughtful gift for that person who seems to have everything and then present them with the tag so that they can see the impact of the contribution made on their behalf.

Diocesan Advent Reflections

Here is the link for the next Advent offering: Journey to Christmas and The Jubilee of Hope, which includes a reflection on the Sunday Gospel by Monsignor Robert Draper. Please go to https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-69C49C1F7BAF1CE22540EF23F30FEDED.

Holy Jubilee Year 2025 – “Pilgrims of Hope”

T he 2025 Jubilee will officially open this Tuesday, 24 December, at 6.00pm UK time, with the rite of the Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by Pope Francis, who will then preside over the celebration of the Night Mass of the Lord’s Birth inside the Basilica. The Jubilee Year offers a special moment for conversion and grace to rekindle hope in the daily journey of life and the proclamation of the Gospel. The Pope’s Bull of Indiction, “Hope does not disappoint”, proclaiming the Jubilee Year can be read here and the Opening of the Holy Door and other events can be followed on the Vatican News and Vatican Radio YouTube channel and Facebook Live.

Christmas Draw Tickets

There will be a final opportunity to buy tickets for the Christmas Draw this Saturday as the draw will take place after the Advent Carol Service. Instead of multiple prizes, this year there are only three large hampers, filled to the brim with luxury or local products for Christmas! Tickets for these great prizes are £5.00 each.

Christmas Mass Times

On Christmas Eve, there will be a Vigil Mass of Christmas at 5.00pm followed by the Night Mass of the Lord’s Nativity at 9.00pm, both at St Andrew’s. On Christmas Day, the Masses will be 9.30am at St Boniface and 11.00am at St Andrew’s.

Raffle for CHAT

Raffle tickets are still on sale for £1 each. These can be bought via Ewelina Zychlinska’s Justgiving page. Just email her via the page and she will reply with your ticket numbers. At St Boniface, tickets can be bought with cash. The draw will take place this Sunday 22 December. You can also continue to make donations via her fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/page/ewelina-ych-1731777385365?newPage=true .

Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Appeal

This Christmas, there will be no celebrations in Bethlehem – AGAIN. Without tourism, Bethlehem’s lifeblood which supports 80% of the population, unemployment has surged. With the borders closed, there is no option to seek work in Israel. Prices have skyrocketed, residents are traumatised by the constant fear and anxiety for the future while their daily lives are restricted by checkpoints and roadblocks.

This brutal war has already claimed over 700 lives in the West Bank and devastated countless others. Parents have run out of words to comfort their children as their loved ones perish in neighbouring Gaza, barely 50 miles away. Nearly every family has lost someone. Yet, over the past year, we have seen hope shine more brightly than ever through the Christian community in the West Bank. Though they number around 45,000, less than 1% of the population, the impact they make is remarkable. You can donate at https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/donate/christmas.