Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA

THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA
01279 434203
www.catholicchurchoftheassumption.co.uk
email: [email protected]
NATIVITY OF THE LORD
AND THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE – Year A

December 2025​
 
MASS TIMES FOR THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
AND THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE – Year A
 
Wednesday 24th Dec – THE NATIVITY OF THE Lord          (Holy day of Obligation)
                                      17:00 Solemn Vigil Mass
                                      22:00 Solemn Mass During the Night (Midnight Mass)
 
Thursday 25th               THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
                 10:00  Solemn Mass During the Day – Thomas Ravensdale Sr - RIP
 
Friday 26th                     10:00 Mass – Feast of St John the Evangelist
 
Saturday 27th                 12:00 Mass – The Holy Innocents
 
Sunday 28th                 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
                                      10:00 Solemn Mass
                                      18:00 Solemn Mass
 
Tuesday 30th                 10:00 Mass – 6th Day of the Christmas Octave
 
Wednesday 31st           10:00 Mass – 7th Day of the Christmas Octave
 
Thursday 1st January 2026    
                                      10:00 Solemn Mass – Mary, Mother of God
 
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GOSPEL REFLECTION
 
« For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you
who is Messiah and Lord »
 
Today, the Saviour has been born. This is the good news of this Christmas Eve. Like in every Christmas, Jesus is born again in the world, in each home, in our heart.

But unlike what our consumerist society celebrates, Jesus is not born in an environment of waste, purchases, comfort, whim and meals. Jesus is born in the humility of the Nativity scene.

And he does it this way because he has been refused by men: nobody had wanted to house them, neither in homes nor in hostels. Mary, Joseph and the just born Jesus felt what rejection, lack of generosity and solidarity mean.

Later on things will change with the Angel’s announcement: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord” (Lk 2:10). Everybody will run towards the Nativity scene in order to adore the Son of God. A bit like in our society where many people are marginalized, because they are poor, aliens or simply different from us, while we celebrate Christmas speaking words of peace, solidarity and love.

We Christians are joyous today; we are rightfully happy. As Saint Leo the Great said: “There is no place for sadness now that life has been born”. But we cannot forget that Jesus' birth means a commitment for us all: living Christmas in the most similar way as the Holy Family lived it. That is, no ostentation, no unnecessary expenses. Celebrating and having a party is compatible with austerity and even with poverty.

On the other hand, if we do not have true feelings of solidarity towards those who have been rejected, aliens or homeless people during these days, it is because we are like the inhabitants of Bethlehem: we do not welcome the infant Jesus in our hearts.
 
Fr. Ramon Octavi SÁNCHEZ i Valero (Viladecans, Barcelona, Spain)
Courtesy of Evangeli


 
Heavenly Father,
giver of all good gifts,
as you blessed Mary and Joseph
to be the parents
of your divine Son,
 look with love and mercy
on the parents in our parish.
 
Fill them with your love,
and guide them as they raise their families.
 
Bless their children
as they grow in wisdom,
age and grace.
 
Give your Spirit to each family in our parish,
and help us to follow your Son
in the love of your Spirit,
now and forever.
 
Amen.

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Father Jon
wishes you and your loved ones
the Joy and Peace of Christ’s Nativity
and a truly blesséd New Year  X
 
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This Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and the National and Dioceses policies & procedures at all times. Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Anne Marie Taylor, and may be contacted at: [email protected]  Alternatively, the Diocesan Safeguarding team may be contacted on Tel: 01277 265234 or by Email: [email protected] should you have any concern.

                                           www.catholicchurchoftheassumption.co.uk
                                                                       01279 434203

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