We're celebrating Christmas in Africa's largest city. As we come to the end of Advent, we've been hearing Luke's story of Songs for Christmas - and joining in with Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah as they sing for joy at God stepping in to their world. And ours too, as we reflect this weekend on some of the great Christmas readings.

Those readings are here below for you. Join us as we see how these promises impact our world, uncertain still, dominated by constitutions and referendums and governments. Yet the place where God has made himself known in Jesus and come alongside us.


Join us as we celebrate this weekend on Friday at 10am and Sunday at 10.30am.

Join us for the Christingle service at 6pm on Friday - 
the story told specially for young families. 

Join us as we celebrate with Bishop Mouneer on Christmas Eve at 10.30pm 
and Christmas morning at 10.30am.

Isaiah 9:2–7
Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 


Matthew 1:18–23 
Matthew shows how the birth of Jesus fulfils prophecy.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" – which means, “God with us.”

Luke 2:1-7
Luke describes Jesus’ birth and welcome
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.