Above the high altar at St Mary’s is the extraordinary painting by Simon Vouet (1590-1649), The Madonna with Child. It is a painting which captures beautifully the rapt attention of mother and child as they look intently at one another. It is an image of such beauty and tenderness. Whenever I look at it, I am reminded of some words of St Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians: 'For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ’ (2 Corinthians 4.6). As Mary looks at the face of Jesus, the glory of God is revealed. This is the miracle of Christmas.

We look forward to seeing you at our Christmas services over the next few days. On Sunday 24th December, we will gather for the Sung Eucharist at 10.30am as usual to mark the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Then at 4.30pm, there will be the Crib Service for Christmas Eve, as we gather to dress the crib and journey to Bethlehem to explore the Christmas story. This service is especially suitable for children. Our Midnight Mass, the First Eucharist of Christmas, will take place at 11.30pm. Then on Christmas Day, there will be a Choral Eucharist at 10.30am as we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.

Everything is prepared for you. Everything is ready. We hope that you will join us. May I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Lord Jesus,
child of Bethlehem,
Son of God the Father,
hold us in the embrace of your love
as we look into your eyes and see the beauty of your glory,
be born in us this day
and remain with us for ever. Amen.

Vicar