Lessons and Carols

[Please Stand]

 

Opening Song:

(G323) O Come, O Come Emmanuel

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+ Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Opening Prayer

We gather here to recall the mystery of our redemption. Though sin drew us away from God, He never stopped loving us. The prophets told of the coming of the Messiah who would initiate a reign of justice and peace. This promise was fulfilled in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Let us now reflect with joy on this wondrous mystery.

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[Please Sit]

FIRST LESSON

 

Reading:

Isaiah 9:1-3. 5-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom, a light has shone.

 

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils.

 

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Median.

 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, and Prince of Peace.

 

His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which He confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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[Please Stand]

 (G512) Christ Be Our Light

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Prayer

Lord of mercy, despite our sinfulness, you never stopped loving us. Fill our hearts with your mercy, that we may forgive others. Amen.

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[Please Sit]

SECOND LESSON

 

Reading:

Luke 1:26-38

Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

 

And coming to her, he said, “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.”

 

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I have no relations with a man?”

 

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing is impossible for God.”

 

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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[Please Stand]

 (G779) Hail May: Gentle Woman

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Prayer

Lord, you promised that your reign would bring the justice that would never end. May we help to bring this justice in our time. Amen.

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[Please Sit]

THIRD LESSON

 

Reading:

Luke 2:1-18

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.

 

This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So, all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

 

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

 

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

 

The angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

 

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, with the Lord has made known to us.”

 

So, they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they make know the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.

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[Please Stand]

(G371) Silent Night, Holy Night

 

Prayer

Lord, we wait for the day of your peace. May we help to bring this peace in our families, our communities, and our world. Amen.

 

[Please Sit]

FOURTH LESSON

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Reading:

Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

 

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priest and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a rule, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

 

The Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

 

After their audience  with the King, they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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[Please Stand]

(G382) We Three Kings of Orient Are

 

Prayer

God, you are always with us. May we always trust in your presence and share it with those around us. Amen.

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[Please Sit]

FIFTH LESSON

 

Reading:

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

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[Please Stand]

(G669) God Has Chosen Me

 

Prayer

Lord, you asked Joseph and Mary to trust in You. May we come to share in their trust and always rely on you. Amen.

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[Please Stand]

 

FINAL PRAYER

Let Us Pray

Lord, you call us to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Fill our words with power that we may proclaim your good news and draw all people to you. Amen.

 

BLESSINGS

P. The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

P. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

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[Please Stand]

(G353) Joy To The World