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Invitation to Worship
Christ is born to us; come, let us adore him!
Light Christmas Candles and say or sing:
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Glory to God in the highest
~And peace to God’s people on Earth.
CHRISTMAS MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Christmas Morning Carol .
From brink of dawn to farthest edge Let earth resound let voices sing
At birth of Virgin Mary’s child, The Christ, the long-awaited King.
From Mary’s womb Emmanuel In “House of Bread” at Bethlehem:
The Word, received, a temple made, And all the earth Jerusalem.
The source of food for poor-humankind At human breast is humbly fed;
And draws the strength to give at length Himself as flesh, Himself as bread.
“All glory be to God above And on the Earth let there be peace
To all who long to share God’s love Till time itself shall come to cease.”
Text: St. Meinrad, 1967, adpt. Tune: A Solis Ortus Cardine, Plainsong.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Tell us, O shepherds, what have you seen?
We saw a king new-born and hosts of angels singing: Alleluia, alleluia!
Psalm 62/63
O my God, I long for you from early morning;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body aches for you
like a dry, worn out and waterless land.
So I gaze on You in your holy place:
a vision of strength and glory.
Your love is better than life,
my speech is full of praise.
I will worship you all my days
lifting my hands in your Name.
My soul shall feast as at a banquet
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you.
I think of you throughout the night.
For you have been my help
I rejoice beneath your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Tell us, O shepherds, what have you seen?
We saw a king new-born and hosts of angels singing: Alleluia, alleluia!
READING Isaiah 4: 2-3
On that day, the branch of Adonai will be splendor and glory, and the fruits of Earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel. Those who remain in Zion and those left in Jerusalem will be called “Holy” — everyone marked down for fullness of life in Jerusalem.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. A child is born to us, a Son is giv’n to us, And upon his shoulders rests all power.
V. His dominion will increase, and the world know peace without end. and upon his shoulders rests all power. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Holy Spirit.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
When you appeared in the flesh, O Word of God,
you enlightened all people for ever.
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To Guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE through the WORD
In the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
When you appeared in the flesh, O Word of God,
you enlightened all people for ever.
Litany of Intercession
Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, Son of Earth, Human-One,
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, Son of Mary, virgin and mother, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy One, Source of all light and life, your eternal Word leapt down in the silent watches of the night, and now your people are filled with wonder at the nearness of our God. Open our hearts to receive him that our lives may be filled with his peace who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
May the Word Made Flesh, + full of grace and truth, bless us and keep us. Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.