Christmas at St Ann’s Catholic Church, Kingston Hill

As we celebrate the joy of Christmas, St Ann’s Catholic Church warmly invites parishioners, families, neighbours, and friends to come together as one welcoming parish family during this holy season.

Christmas is a time that draws us closer — to our families, to our neighbours, and to God. In the midst of busy lives, we pause to pray, to rejoice, and to welcome Christ anew into our hearts and homes.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve – Wednesday, 24 December 2025

• 5.00 pm – Children’s Mass with a simple Gospel Nativity Play
• 7.00 pm – Carol Service
• 7.30 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass

Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December 2025

• 10.30 am – Christmas Day Mass
  (During this Mass, toys will be blessed.)

Feast of the Holy Family – Sunday, 28 December 2025

On this feast, dedicated especially to families, we will offer special prayers and blessings for all families. St Ann, our patron saint, reminds us of the beauty and holiness of family life. All families are warmly invited to place their relationships and loved ones into God’s gentle care.

Christian Unity – Community Invitation

In the spirit of Christian unity, we are pleased to share an invitation from St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Kingston Vale, to attend their Nine Lessons and Carols, a beautiful candlelit community service on Sunday, 21 December at 6.30 pm.

Christmas Offering

Christmas Offering envelopes are now available at the back of the church. As shared in the newsletter, this year a significant portion of the Christmas offering will support the completion of a village primary school project. This is shared in a spirit of transparency and gratitude, not as an appeal.

Stay Connected

For parish updates, weekly homilies, and upcoming events, visit: www.stannskingstonhill.org.uk

4th Sunday of Advent – Homily

“Why the Son of David?”

My dear brothers and sisters,

As we stand on the edge of Christmas, the Church does something very deliberate. She slows us down and places one name before us again and again — David.

The angel says to Mary, “The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David” (Luke 1:32).
The crowds cry, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:9).
The blind man calls out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47).

Everyone was waiting for the Messiah — but not just any Messiah.
They were waiting for the Son of David.

So the question we must ask today is not academic.
It is deeply pastoral:
Why David?
Why does God choose to build hope on him?

God’s choice begins where we feel forgotten

When God chooses David, it is almost embarrassing.

The prophet Samuel comes to Jesse’s house.
Strong sons are presented. Capable sons. Impressive sons.
And God says no… no… no…

Finally Samuel asks,

“Are all your sons here?” (1 Samuel 16:11)

And Jesse says — almost casually —
“There remains the youngest… he is out in the fields.”

David is not even invited.
He is not rejected — he is forgotten.

My dear brothers and sisters, this is where God enters.

God does not choose David because he stands out.
God chooses David because He sees him.

“Human beings look at appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

This is Advent spirituality.

God comes not to the centre of power, but to the edges.
Not to the impressive, but to the available.
Not to what shines, but to what is open.

Bethlehem is small.
The manger is poor.
David is unnoticed.

And yet, this is where salvation begins.

David’s greatness is not power, but restraint

David becomes king, yes.
But his true greatness is seen before the throne.

Saul is jealous. Saul is afraid. Saul is violent.
David has every reason — and every opportunity — to strike back.

But David refuses.

He says,

“I will not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6).

That is spiritual maturity.
That is inner strength.

My dear brothers and sisters, reacting is easy.
Responding takes grace.

When we mirror another’s anger, we lose ourselves.
But when we absorb pain and release peace, we become free.

David teaches us this:
Do not let someone else’s brokenness make you bitter.

That is why David weeps when Saul dies.
He honours the position, even when the person failed.

God notices that.

David’s fall — and the God who does not walk away

But David is not a hero without cracks.

He falls.
Gravely.
Publicly.
Painfully.

The sin with Bathsheba is real.
The damage is real.

And here is where the pastoral heart must speak.

Many people carry a silent fear:
“If God really knew me, He would stop loving me.”

David tells us that is not true.

When confronted, David does not defend himself.
He does not explain.
He does not blame.

He says one sentence:

“I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13).

And from that moment comes Psalm 51:

“A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

David does not lose God’s promise.
He learns humility.

God does not erase David’s story.
He redeems it.

This is why the Messiah comes from David —
because David’s life proves that grace is stronger than failure.

Conclusion – Why this matters for us

My dear brothers and sisters,

Jesus comes as the Son of David because David represents us.

Not perfect people —
but people who return.

Not strong people —
but people who trust.

Not sinless people —
but repentant hearts.

Advent is not about being ready.
It is about being available.

If God could build His promise through a forgotten shepherd,
a fragile king,
a repentant sinner —
then He can still work through us.

Let us stop feeding our wounds.
Let us count our blessings.
Let us allow God to work in the ordinary.

Because that is where Christ is born.

Amen.