https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Bwn0k0k8xI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU
The most loved Christmas film in surveys regularly is It's a Wonderful Life! Odd that a film that made 77 years ago in black and white beats all the later popular films like, Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and even White Christmas. Well it's not hard to see why. It makes you feel good. It's funny, heartwarming, profound and brings the tears to your eyes. Who doesn't smile through the tears when you hear the bell tinkle and you know Clarence finally got his angel wings! The title says it all, the film encapsulates the real spirit of Christmas. It's a reminder that Christmas is more than just presents. If you have seen the film & would like to relive that wonderful ending you can watch it HERE If you haven't seen it, well you need to watch it from the beginning to understand what it's all about & how Clarence finally got his wings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHWqj6gKS9g
For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52lK9XIsuwc
“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pliqObTHxUQ
Today is the third Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday. We'll light the third candle on the Advent wreath, the rose pink one at Mass this weekend. Gaudete means rejoice and this third Sunday anticipates the joy of the Lord's coming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtAcZOrE8dE
We all have our favourite Christmas songs. Some evoke memories of Christmases when we were young, others are more recent modern ones maybe from films. Many evoke our feelings about what Christmas means to us, being home with our family and friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDt3u2Ev1cI
You are warmly invited to share in a quiet time of prayer and reflection in preparation for Christmas. The candlelit vigil will take place on Friday 15 December from 6pm - 8.15 pm at Our Blessed Lady Immaculate Church, Washington Village. The last half hour of the vigil will incorporate the annual Blue Christmas Service in which we remember our loved ones who have passed away and whom we miss especially at this time of year. There will be tea, coffee and mince pies in the Emmaus Room afterwards, so please come for all or part of this quiet time in the run up to Christmas.
Sometimes we get carried away with the pressures of Christmas dashing around making sure we have bought all the presents, decorations, food, sent all the Christmas cards etc, but just stop for a moment! They're just the trappings of Christmas, the real magic of Christmas is in meeting that baby, Mary's son, the Light of the World.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNYpxYKtC_w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTPyKwqUUgc
Why Not? The Benedict Partnership of Parishes has a vision that puts the love of Jesus and the gospels at the heart of our partnership. We aim to be an open and welcoming community where there is a place for all and as we approach the Christmas season, we extend a very warm welcome to everyone and especially to YOU!. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDt3u2Ev1cI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_R3GPkIDeM
Advent is a good time to reflect on our lives and prepare for Christmas. The Diocesan writers have produced these Advent reflections to help us. Click the image below to read or download them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CihO7vA_ps4
"The word 'carol' probably comes from the old French word 'carole', which from around the mid-1100s meant a popular circle dance accompanied by singing." By the late Middle Ages, carols had become more associated with Christmas and the nativity and by the Victorian era hundreds of new carols were written. Carols are still popular today. Click below to hear some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe4fWEtu8ZI
St Francis of Assisi is credited with setting up the first crib in 1223 with hay in a manger with a live ox and donkey in a cave in Italy. Times have certainly changed. Not sure how we'd cope with live animals in church now! Maybe like the Vicar of Dibley? Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter on the meaning & importance of the Nativity scene describes the tradition of setting up the cribs and reflects on their place in family life. You can read it HERE.
We hope that we may increase in love for those we love and those we may have had problems with in the past. We pray that Jesus' coming will enable us to improve relationships with everyone distant or close.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Christmas is coming but are you really getting prepared? Have you? Bought all the presents Written your Christmas cards Got the tree out of the loft/garage or bought a real one Checked that the tree lights work Put all the decorations up Ordered any food you need Bought party clothes for the family Wrapped the presents Booked Christmas meals with friends and workmates Whoa!!!! Stop!!!!! Is that really what it's all about? Surely there's more to it than that! Isn't Christmas about Jesus entering our world and Advent is about us waiting, hoping and joyful? Waiting for the Light of the World to be born.