Takehomenews Sunday 21 December 2025

Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A

Christmas Message and Greetings

“A child is born for us, and a son is given to us.” These words from the Entrance antiphon of the Christmas Day Mass beautifully express the gracious love of God who gave his Son to us.

As we enter the final stage of our Advent journey, we light the fourth Advent candle. At Christmas, the white Advent candle will be lit as our hearts are filled with joy at the mystery of the Incarnation.  God takes on human flesh in Jesus, in whom God fulfils the ancient promise of salvation in today’s first reading (Isaiah 7:10-14), which foretold that a virgin shall bear a son who will be called Emmanuel, “God with us.” (see Luke 1:26-38).

At Christmas, we celebrate this wonderful exchange: God sharing in our          humanity so that we may share in his divinity. The Son of God becomes the Son of Man, so that, by adoption, we may become children of God. This profound mystery reveals a God who, in love, makes himself vulnerable for us in a        manger. As you visit the crib and gaze upon the Baby Jesus, remember the     reason for this great Gift.

Whatever your circumstances might be, I pray that this Christmas brings peace and love to you and your families. To those for whom Christmas isn’t a time of joy, may you find comfort in knowing that God, having shared our humanity, understands our suffering and walks with us.

Happy Christmas and Grace-filled New Year when it comes.

Fr. Chinedu

CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS

Please take a Christmas Blessings card giving the times of services over the   Christmas period. This doubles as our Christmas card to you.  Please note that the night Mass on Christmas Eve will be at 10pm this year.  This will be in        addition to the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve at 6.30 pm.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday, 4 January at 4pm in the church.  

CAROL SERVICE

Please come along and bring your family to our Carol Service on Sunday, the 21^st December, at 6.30pm.

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S MASS

At the 6.30pm Mass on Christmas Eve, the readings will be read by the children and there will be a presentation of the Nativity. Those who would like to take part – either as actors (Reception and above) or readers (Years 3 to 10) – are asked to give their name and parent/carer’s contact details in at the Repository. There will be a rehearsal for those taking part immediately after the 10.30am Mass today (Sunday).

GK CHESTERTON THIS CHRISTMAS

“Watch The Surprise, a wonderful play by Catholic author GK Chesterton this Christmas. Monday 22nd December 3pm online www.ewtn.co.uk or on sky 586. For GK Chesterton Prayers see; www.CatholicGKChestertonSociety.co.uk”

MARRIAGE MATTERS

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25)

Taking courage from love

The Gospel relates how Joseph overcame his serious doubts about Mary ‒ and married her! She too had faced her own fears about the future ‒ and said “Yes!” We too can have doubts and lack confidence in the future, but like Mary and Joseph we can take courage from our love for each other and God’s love for us too.

RETROUVAILLE

Helps marriages. It can bring hope and healing to relationships. Next date: 12th February 2026. 

www.retrouvaille.org.uk   Tel: 07887 296983.

FOODBANK CLOSED UNTIL 6 JANUARY 2026

A huge thank you to all who have helped with this very worthy cause.

Office re-opens

Tuesday 6 January 2026