The O Antiphons, sung in ancient evening offices during mid-Advent as antiphons to the Magnificat, provide a rich source of devotional imagery, and are well known through the hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel.” In this contemplative and gentle evening liturgy, they offer a tone of expectation and hope. “Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

This service will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/c/christchurchcathedralottawa

Take some time for yourself during Advent to hold a prayer in your heart and colour a beautiful image. Let yourself relax and be with God. There is a new image for each week during Advent and one for Christmas so download, print and enjoy!

This week the second set of steps arrived and they look exactly like the first set, which is always reassuring! The forecourt has been tidied, Homeless Jesus and our sign unboxed, and the rest of the work will be done come spring. In the meantime, you are welcome to enter via the east stairs!

Owen Spicer's last service with us will be New Year's Day, having served as Assistant Organist since 2023. We wish him well as he embarks on his career armed with the musical experiences and professional formation of his time here.

Christopher Leonard, Director of Operations and Development since September, is moving into retirement. We are grateful for his help during this interim period and that he will continue to advise Corporation with regards to financial development.

Wanita Jerusalimiec begins as Office Coordinator on Monday, January 6th. We look forward to all of her organizational and people skills during her 20 hours a week in the office.

In order to give our staff and office volunteers a well-deserved rest, the Cathedral offices will be closed as of Wednesday, December 25th and will reopen on Monday, January 6th. If you need assistance during this time, please be in touch with The Reverend Canon Doug Richards (613.236.9149 ext. 19 or doug.richards@ottawacathedral.ca) as he will be on call and checking his email.

Please do send an e-transfer to info@ottawacathedral.ca or give online if you would like to make a donation before the end of the year in order to receive a 2024 tax credit.

Make sure to check out all the wonderful services that we will be providing over this season. May the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christ Child bless your heart and home and those you love this Christmas!

At our Diocesan Synod, it was mentioned by the Clerical Secretary that our Bishop giving assent to the proceedings evokes thoughts of a bobblehead... so our Diocesan Senior Staff decided that this would be a perfect Christmas gift. It is a remarkably accurate likeness and thankfully, Bishop Shane has a great sense of humour! With thanks to Penny Armstrong who created the mini mitre, little pectoral cross, and wee Brother Thankful crozier.

At this Christmas Eve service, instead of a sermon, the Christmas story is told in short snippets, interspersed with motets and carols. Children (and adults!) are entranced by the light and colour, story and music. The Eucharist is also celebrated. Come and be blessed!

At this service, there is a procession of choir and clergy all around the Cathedral. Bishop Shane Parker will preach, and Dean Beth Bretzlaff will celebrate the eucharist. The music is awe inspiring and it is a very special service. Come and celebrate the mystery!

Christmas Day begins with a quiet, said service and a short homily, given by Canon Doug Richards. It is a lovely start to this holy day!

At 10.30 am on Christmas morning, instead of a sermon, the children gather at the nativity scene in front of the altar, and the Dean reads a Christmas story. It is a lovely, relaxed service for people of all ages. Come and celebrate Jesus' birth!

This Sunday there will be a quiet, said Holy Eucharist (BCP) at 8:30 am, and Sung Eucharist (BAS) at 10:30 am. The Venerable Michelle Staples will be the preacher. 

Readings: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52

Archbishop Hosam Naoum of our Companion Diocese of Jerusalem has entrusted us with offering friendship and support to an outstanding young graduate of St George’s College, Jerusalem, who took up a partial scholarship in September for undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, majoring in neuro-science and immunology.

Tareq Qirreh, who is from a Christian Palestinian family living in Jerusalem, will be spending the Christmas and New Year holiday in Ottawa, as the guest of Bishop Shane and his family, and will attend several of our festive celebrations.

Come and meet Tareq over coffee and Palestinian treats, hear his story as he tells it himself, and ask questions. Please make him welcome!

New Year’s Eve offers a threshold to cast our gaze both forward and backward in time. Walking the labyrinth mindfully will ground you and help you set a clear new direction. Its meditative path will calm your mind and open space to face challenging times and welcome new opportunities. Let's walk together into the New Year of 2025! Tea and refreshments will be available. You are welcome to bring holiday treats for the table to share with all. Pegi Jenkins will offer a piano meditation and Brian Loyer will provide an instrumental soundscape on guitar to accompany your walk.

No Registation is required. Please bring a cash donation or e-transfer to info@ottawacathdral.ca.  A portion of your donations will go to Belong Ottawa. 

Come and join in a great way to begin the New Year! Archbishop Ann Germond, Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, will preach and Bishop Shane Parker will celebrate the Eucharist. Following the service there will be a festive reception for all and an opportunity to meet others from around the Diocese of Ottawa and beyond.

Our Cathedral
All those who are ill or suffering, and those who care for them; all our staff and volunteers.
Our Diocese
The Right Reverend Dr. Shane Parker; Staff at Ascension House; Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, The Very Reverend Beth Bretzlaff, The Reverend Canon Doug Richards, The Reverend Dr. Jarrett Carty.
Canadian Cathedrals
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist, Corner Brook, NL, The Very Reverend Kay Short.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Most Reverend Anne Germond, Metropolitan of Ontario and Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; Staff of the Primate's Office; The Most Reverend Chris Harper, National Indigenous Archbishop; Staff of Indigenous Ministries; Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples; Dawn Maracle, Indigenous Justice Animator.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Bishop Susan Johnson; National staff; Bishop Carla Blakley; Carmen Ramirez, Assistant to the National Bishop, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Peter Wall, Assistant to the National Bishop for Worship.
The Moravian Church (MOR)
The Reverend Melissa Johnson, president of the Eastern District Executive Board of the Moravian Church Northern Province.
Companion Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Diocese of Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam Naoum; St. George's College, Jerusalem; peace in Israel and Palestine.

A Prayer for Peace
O God of all justice and peace, we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims, Christians, and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to the violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Our Clergy and the Cathedral Prayer Team will pray for all requests sent to info@ottawacathedral.ca during the week.

Scripture Readings for Sunday, December 29th - First Sunday after Christmas | 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52 

Children's Worship Activities | Weekly worship bulletins, books and other activities are on the shelves at the entrance to the Cathedral. There is also a table in the Great Hall to use and the labyrinth to walk. If your child is interested in being a junior server, member of a choir, or a reader, please speak with our clergy.

Hearing Assist Sets | Are available at every service from our sidespeople.

Newsletter Deadline | Wednesdays at noon.

General Info | Please visit our office, call 613.236.9149, or email info@ottawacathedral.ca. Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, and Friday from 9 am to noon, except during holiday seasons.

Parking | Street parking is free around the Cathedral on Sundays. Other options for free and paid parking are noted on the map.