Advent is the first season in the Christian Calendar. It commences in November on the the fourth Sunday before Christmas day. It represents a period of expectant waiting and preparation for celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas day. The progression of the season is commonly marked with an Advent Calendar.
Christmas is the second season in the Christian Calendar. It always commences on Christmas day and ends in January on the first day of Epiphany, the season which celebrates the baptism of Jesus.
The seasons of Advent and Christmas are celebrated here at Saint Matthew's Little Lever with the following services, please visit our Services and events page for dates and further information.
27th November: 1st Sunday of Advent - 10:00 am Advent Mass - Preacher: Canon Sister Dorothy Needham4th December: 2nd Sunday of Advent - 10:00 am Advent Mass - Preacher: Fr Bill Baldwin
11th December: 3rd Sunday of Advent - 10:00 am Advent Mass - Preacher Revd. Simon Cook, Area Dean
18th December: 4th Sunday of Advent - 10:00 am - Advent Mass - Preacher: Revd. Canon Dr. Chris Bracegirdle, Vicar of Bolton.
Christmas Eve 24th Dec. - 6:00 pm - Service at the Crib
11:45 pm - Midnight Mass - Celebrant & Preacher: Canon Fr Ian Anthony
Christmas Day 25th Dec. - 10:00 am - Christmas Day Parish Mass - Celebrant & Preacher: Canon Fr Ian Anthony
1st January - 8:00 am The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
10.00 am - Parish Mass - Preacher Fr. Ben Bradshaw, Shrine Priest at The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
Advent Masses
Advent Mass, a parish sung Mass with Sermon.
During each service an Advent candle is lit to mark the theme for each week of the Advent season leading up to Christmas. The themes for each week are; 1. Hope, 2. Love, 3. Joy, 4. Peace, 5. Christ. Three of the Advent candles are Violet in colour to represent the liturgical season. The others are the Rose candle, lit on the 3rd Sunday marking the theme of joy following the half way point in the passing of the Advent season and the White candle, lit to mark Christ's birth.
Service at the Crib
There will be familiar carols and readings and the crib will be blessed. Part of the service will take place in candlelight. It is a very popular event and the church will be full. Do join us. You will be most welcome. It is a good way to begin the Christmas season.
Christmas Eve Midnight MassSung Mass of Christmas and blessing of the Crib.
Midnight Mass is one of the services that marks the start of our celebration of the season of Christmas each year. The entire service takes place by candle light, which makes it a special and memorable occasion each year.
Click on the following link to see pictures of St. Matthew's church during Midnight Mass 2008
Christmas Day Parish Mass
A service involving the lighting of the last White candle to mark Christ's birth.