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January 4th is also the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) who founded the Daughters of Charity. A source of selflessness and inspiration, she devoted her life to providing resources for those in need.
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 .
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the Earth;
You, who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ our newborn Love.
Sages, leave your contemplation; Brighter visions beam afar:
Seek the great Desire of nations; You have seen his natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ our newborn Love.
Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear.
Suddenly out God, descending, In the temple shall appear:
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ our newborn Love.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Mary and Joseph were filled with wonder
at all that was said of the child.
Psalm 5
Hear my words, O Adonai,
listen to my cries for help.
I invoke you, O Gracious One,
in the morning my prayer rises with the sun;
at dawn I plead my case before you,
watching and waiting.
You never welcome evil,
and never let it rest.
Arrogance has no place,
it withers before your face.
Those who do evil are sorely rebuked;
those who lie cannot succeed.
Violence and treachery,
are detestable before you.
But by your kindness and compassion,
I can enter your temple;
I can bow here before you
filled with reverence and awe.
Lead me, Adonai, in your justice,
in the face of those who wish to destroy;
make clear your way before me.
Their charges against me are groundless,
their hearts are full of destruction;
their tongues as smooth as honey,
their throats a wide-open grave.
All those you protect will be glad
and celebrate you love forever.
You protect all who love you,
and in your Name they rejoice.
For you bless those who are just,
surround them with grace as with a shield.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Mary and Joseph were filled with wonder
at all that was said of the child.
READING Tobit 14:6-7
All the nations shall abandon their idols and come to Jerusalem to dwell.
And all the rulers of the earth shall rejoice in her, worshiping the God of Israel.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. The Light has pierced the darkness * and darkness did not prevail. V. The Word was made flesh. *and darkness did not prevail. V . Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Breath of Love. R. The Light has pierced the darkness *and darkness did not prevail.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
Like the rising Sun, the compassion of God will shine on us!
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 and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Like the rising Sun, the compassion of God will shine on us!
Litany of Intercession
Son of God and Son of Mary, you brought us the Good News of God’s unconditional and liberating love, ~ may we love others into freedom.
Sun of Justice and Brightness of God’s face, ~illumine this day and this New Year with the Light of your truth .
Suffering Servant, compassion moved you to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and identify with those despised and rejected by power and privilege, ~fill our lives with your compassion.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy One, Source of all light and life for all creatures, through your eternal Word you illumined the Universe on the first day of creation, and you enlighten all peoples with the wisdom of love. As we celebrate this Eleventh Day of Christmas and begin this New Year, enlighten our minds with the radiance of His Light, that our lives may be filled with his wisdom and peace. Amen.
May the Word Made Flesh of the Virgin Mary + full of grace and truth, bless us and keep us. Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.