This year the Sunday after Christmas and final Sunday of 2015, 27th December, falls on the Feast Day of St John the Evangelist, the disciple whom Jesus loved.  As well as one of the 12 Apostles, he is generally regarded as the author of the Gospel according to St John and 3 Epistles of John. It is less likely that he wrote the apocalyptic Book of Revelation on the Island of Patmos, since legend has his old age lived out near Ephesus, perhaps looking after the Virgin Mary in response to Jesus’ Words from the Cross.

In our Mass at 10.45am, the Setting and Motet are still resolutely in Christmastide, O Magnum Mysterium by the Spanish/Italian composer Victoria (1548-1611) published in 1572; as also are our hymns – Of the Father’s heart begotten, In the bleak midwinter (Cranham), and What child is this? (Greensleeves).

O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio. O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum.  Alleluia!

O great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord lying in a manger! O blessed Virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear Jesus Christ the Lord. Alleluia!