Friday 6th January 2023 A.D.
Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford
The church bells rang to welcome the guests to this evening's celebrations. Father Mark played the organ and then Metropolitan Raffaele prayed and performed the evening vespers as the congregation arrived.
We all sang "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" as the clergy entered, ready for the liturgy to begin. The first reading was from the book of Galatians and spoke of God sending his only Son through Mary, so that we could no longer be slaves but also sons of the Lord. Metropolitan Raffaele spoke about veneration. He said that when we love someone, we great them with a kiss - it is the same with the Lord; it is our greatest gift we can bring.
We then sang "Gaudate" as Father Matthew and Metropolitan Raffaele processed the Gospel through the congregation. The Gospel of St Luke was read by Father Mark which spoke of Mary giving birth to a baby boy whom she called Jesus. +Raffaele then told the story of a nun who looked after people. A woman asked her to help her brother, and the nun was able to provide him comfort before he passed.
The Holy Mysteries were brought to the altar to the song "Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel", played on the organ by Father Mark and sing beautiful by Metropolitan Raffaele, who then spoke about why we proclaim what we believe. The gifts were blessed and the Holy Theotokos was honoured with the song "Most Highly Favored Lady". Then communion was shared by the clergy, and offered to the congregation. We then all sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" in thanks to God.
Metropolitan Raffaele then sang "Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle" in thanksgiving of the Holy Mysteries. The gifts were returned to the prothesis and the Nativity Blessing was given before the congregation came to venerate the icon of Christ.
Following the liturgy, everyone shared agape together and the children of the church played and laughed and enjoyed the True spirit of Christmas!
Nativity: a Musical Celebration
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