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Dum medium silentium tenerent omnia, et nox in suo cursu medium iter haberet,
omnipotens Sermo tuus, Domine, de caelis a regalibus sedibus venit.
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.
Invitation to Worship
Unto us a child is born: Come let us adore him, alleluia!
CHRISTMAS MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Christmas Morning Carol .
The root of Jesse now has flow’red
for Sarah’s daughter bears a son!
Behold the Mother of our God
draws to her breast the Holy One.
The co-eternal Word of God
is cradled now in slumber deep:
he who holds planets to their course
now nestles in her arms, asleep.
The law which girds the universe,
God’s Torah teaching Wisdom’s ways,
in Mary, both have been enfleshed–
a source of scandal and God’s praise.
This Jewish daughter’s bold consent,
her wonderment, her “Let it be!”
has touched the very depths of God
and ever changed the way we see.
A contradiction to our time,
her single “Yes!” to what could be.
Have we such openness within
to bring the Word to birth as she? Amen.
Text: Aelred-Seton Shanley, OSB. Tune: Plainsong Mode VIII – L.M.
PSALMODY
Antiphon 1
They entered the house and found the child with Mary, his mother.
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.
They entered the house and found the child with Mary, his mother.
Antiphon 2
Joseph arose and as the angel had commanded him,
he took Mary and her child into Egypt.
Psalm 95/96
Sing a new song to Adonai!
Sing it and bless God’s Name!
Sing it everyone, and everywhere!
Proclaim God’s help every day,
Tell every nation about the triumph!
God’s glory and wonders among the peoples.
A God so great deserves all praise,
and the dread of all other gods,
far too many value their worthless gods
but it was Adonai who made the heavens;
to God belong majesty and power
and splendorous beauty in the temple.
Proclaim Adonai, O families of nations,
Praise the glory of God’s power
Praise the glory of the Holy Name.
Bring gifts to offer in the temple,
worship with reverence and awe,
O Earth, join us in praise.
Tell it among the nations:
“Adonai reigns with justice!
As the firmness of Earth is not swayed,
nothing can sway the justice of God.
Let heaven and Earth be glad,
the sea and its creatures roar their praise;
the fields and their animals exult,
the trees and their birds sing for joy,
at the presence of Adonai who comes–
who comes to reign on Earth.
With justice God will set Earth aright;
with truth restore the world to order!
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love.
As always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
Joseph arose and as the angel had commanded him,
he took Mary and her child into Egypt.
Antiphon 3
Simeon received the child in his arms and proclaimed:
A Light for the revelation of the Gentiles
and the glory of your people Israel, alleluia!
Psalm 150
Praise God in the holy place,
praise in the mighty heavens.
Praise God’s powerful deeds
praise the surpassing greatness.
O praise with sound of trumpet,
praise with lute and harp.
Praise with timbrel and dance,
praise with strings and pipes.
O praise with resounding cymbals,
praise with clashing of cymbals.
Let everything that lives and that breathes
give praise to Adonai, Alleluia!
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love.
As always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
Simeon received the child in his arms and proclaimed:
A Light for the revelation of the Gentiles
and the glory of your people Israel, alleluia!
READING Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your mother and your father, as Adonai Elohim has commanded you,
that you may have a long life and prosperity in the land which Adonai is giving you.
Responsory
R. Whatever you do in word or deed, * do ev’rything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
V. Giving thanks to God our Abba through him. *do ev’rything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
While silence held sway, and night was midway in its course,
your all-powerful Word, O God, issued forth from the royal throne room, alleluia!
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
While silence held sway, and night was midway in its course,
your all-powerful Word, O Lord, issued forth from the royal throne room, alleluia!
Litany of Intercession
Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God full of grace and truth, ~hear our prayer.
You are the Word of your Abba ~ reveal God to us today.
Through You, all creation came into being ~ awaken our wonder and awe today.
You are the light that shines in the darkness ~ enlighten us today.
You have come into the midst of your own ~ help us recognize you today.
You give us the power to be children of God ~ make us live as brothers and sisters today.
You became flesh and set up a dwelling among us ~stay with us today.
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 Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.