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THE SECOND SUNDAY IN CHRISTMASTIDE |
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN CHRISTMASTIDE
HOLY NAME OF JESUS
The Naming and Circumcision Of Jesus
January 1, 2021
A Liturgy for Meditation and Contemplation
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1
Centering In Preparation
Let us in the stillness and quiet of this moment
ponder in our hearts the message of Christmas
and what it means that God has come into our world.
Prayer
Almighty God,
whose blessèd Child was circumcised
in obedience to the law for our sake
and given the Name that is above every name:
give us grace faithfully to bear the Name,
to worship in the freedom of the Spirit,
and to proclaim the Holy One as the Savior of the world;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Philippians 2
If our life in the Only Begotten, Beloved One, Anointed by God,
means anything to you—if love,
or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness or sympathy can persuade you at all—
then be united in your convictions and united in your love,
with a common purpose and a common mind.
That is the one thing that would make me completely happy.
There must be no competition among you, no conceit, but everybody is to be humble:
value others over yourselves,neach of you thinking of the interests of others before your own.
Your attitude must be the same as that of the Anointed One Jesus:
The Only Begotten, Beloved One, though in the image of God,
didn’t deem equality with God
something to be clung to—
but instead became completely empty
and took on the image of oppressed humankind:
born into the human condition,
found in the likeness of a human being.
the Anointed one of God was thus humbled—
obediently accepting death,
even death on a cross!
Because of this, God highly exalted the Only Begotten and Beloved One,
and gave to the Anointed One the name above every other name,
so that at the name of Jesus (God is my savior)
every knee must bend in the heavens,
on the earth and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God.
Psalm 8
O God Most High, God of Hosts, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your Name in all the earth!
You have placed your glory above the heavens!
From the lips of infants and children
you bring forth words of power and praise,
to answer your adversaries
and to silence the hostile and vengeful.
When I behold your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
what is humanity that you should be mindful of us?
Who are we that you should care for us?
You have made us barely less than God,
and crowned us with glory and honor.
You have made us responsible
for the works of your hands,
putting all things at our feet—
all sheep and oxen, yes, even the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, the fish of the sea
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
O God Most High, God of Hosts, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your Name in all the earth!
Luke 2
When the angels had returned to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see this event
that God has made known to us.”
They hurried and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger;
once they saw this, they reported what they had been told concerning the child.
All who heard about it were astonished at the report given by the shepherds.
Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.
The shepherds went away glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen,
just as they had been told.
When the eighth day arrived for the child’s circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Luke 2
When the day came for them to be purified, as laid down by the Law of Moses,
the couple took Jesus up to Jerusalem and presented him to God.
For it’s written in the Law of our God, “Every firstborn heir is to be consecrated to God.”
They likewise came to offer in sacrifice “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,”
in accord with the dictate of the Law of our God.
Now there lived in Jerusalem a man named Simeon.
He was devout and just, anticipating the consolation of Israel,
and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She, the Holy Spirit of God, had revealed to Simeon that he wouldn’t see death
until he had seen the Messiah of God.
Prompted by her, Simeon came to the Temple;
and when the parents brought in the child to perform the customary rituals of the Law,
he took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Now, O God, you can dismiss your servant in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the peoples to see—
a light of revelation to the Gentiles
and the glory of your people Israel.”
As the child’s mother and father stood there marveling at the things
that were being said, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the mother,
“This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that is rejected,
so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.
And a sword will pierce your heart as well.”
There was a woman named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Asher, who was also a prophet.
She had lived a long life, seven years with her husband,
and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four.
She never left the Temple, worshiping day and night,
fasting and praying.
Coming up at that moment, she gave thanks to God
and talked about the child to all who anticipated the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the couple had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the Law of God,
they returned to Galilee and their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew in size and strength.
He was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was with him.
Prayer
Gracious God,
God of light,
God of life,
God of all that is
You come to us
in the darkness
of the night
and call us by name
Give us, we pray
the grace
to hear you . . .
the hope to see you . . .
the love needed
to mend
a broken world.
Help us
to be your
hands
your heart
your hope.
Be with us, we pray
with those
who suffer,
with those
who weep,
with those
dying
this night/day
and give us, we pray
your peace.
Amen.
—http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.com/2012/01/sunday-prayer-chrisbas-iholy-namenew.html
Prayer
We join with the whole world to give you thanks and praise, O God,
and telling of the greatness of your name.
From the moment you created and named every living thing
your handiwork has been a source of awe and wonder.
Like the moon and stars you set in place,
your face has shone upon us and blessed us with peace.
In the fullness of time you sent your Son,
born of woman and named by angels,
so that we too might be adopted by you,
and through your Spirit, the treasure of our hearts,
live worthily of the name you have given us.
Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
—Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net
Sending Forth
Go now, glorifying and praising God
for all you have heard and seen.
You have been named as God’s adopted children:
Live worthily of the glory with which God has dressed you.
And may God bless you and keep you.
May Christ Jesus make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
And may the Spirit smile upon you and give you peace.
We go in peace to love and serve God,
in the name of Christ. Amen.
—Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net
WORSHIP FOR 12/26/2021—FIRST SUNDAY IN CHRISTMASTIDE
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The First Sunday In Christmastide |
THE NATIVITY OF THE CHRIST—CHRISTMAS EVE
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Christmas EveThe First Service of Christmas CENTERING IN PREPARATION OPENING WORDS Beloved in Christ, with delight we prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and go in heart and mind to Bethlehem to see Mary and Joseph with Jesus in a manger. Let us listen to the story of God’s saving acts and celebrate the birth of this Holy Child. And let us make these hallowed walls reverberate with the glad tidings of great joy which is to all the people. CAROL—Angels From The Realms Of Glory: [Click Here For Music] PRAYER Loving God, Almighty and Immortal One, Holy is Your Name. You have brought us through another year unto this blessed night. KINDLING THE CHRIST CANDLE
 PRAYER Holy Word whom is with God since the beginning. Holy Word through which creation came to be. Holy Word who is God. Speak to us on this night of splendor that we with angels and shepherds may rejoice in the good news singing glory to You in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to all. Speak, O God, your servant listens. A READING Isaiah 9
The people walking in darkness are seeing a brilliant light—upon those who dwell in a land of deep shadows light is shining! For a child is born to us, an heir is given us, upon whose shoulders dominion will rest. This One shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Almighty of God, Eternal Guardian and Protector, Sovereign of Peace. This dominion, and this peace,will grow without end, with David’s throne and realmsustained with justice and fairness, now and forever.
The zeal of YHWH Omnipotent will accomplish it!” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CAROL—Of The Father's Love Begotten: [Click Here For Music]
PSALMODY Psalm 96
Sing to YHWH a new song! Sing to YHWH, all the earth! Sing to YHWH, bless God’s Name! Proclaim God’s salvation day after day; declare God’s glory among the nations, God’s marvels to every people. YHWH is great, most worthy of praise, YHWH is to be revered above all gods. The gods of the nations are nothing, they don’t exist—but YHWH created the universe. In God’s presence are splendor and majesty, in God’s sanctuary power and beauty. Pay tribute to YHWH, you tribes of the people; pay tribute to the God of glory and power. Pay tribute to the glorious Name of YHWH; bring out the offering, and carry it into God’s courts. Worship YHWH, majestic in holiness; tremble in God’s presence, all the earth! Say among the nations, YHWH reigns supreme!” The world stands firm and unshakable: YHWH will judge each nation with strict justice. Let the heavens be glad; let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and all that it holds! Let the fields exult and all that is in them! Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy at the presence of YHWH, for God is coming. God is coming to rule the earth—to rule the world with justice and its peoples with truth!
—Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CAROL—Christmas Canon: [Click Here For Music] A READING Hebrews 1. 1-12
In times past God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these final days, God has spoken to us through the Only Begotten, who has been made heir of all things and through whom the universe was first created. Christ is the reflection of God’s glory, the exact representation of God’s being; all things are sustained by God’s powerful Word. Having cleansed us from our sins, Jesus Christ sat down at the right hand of the Glory of heaven—as far superior to the angels as the name Christ has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Own; today I have begotten you,” or, “I will be your parent, and you will be my child,” or, as when God said upon bringing the Firstborn into the world, “Let all the angels of God worship you”? Of the angels God says, “I make the angels winds,my servants flames of fire.” But to the Only Begotten, God says, “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of your reign. You love justice as much as you hate wickedness; therefore, God, your God, has set you above your companions and anointed you
with the oil of gladness”; and, “In the beginning, O God, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a cloak, and like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years never end.”
—Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. PSALMODY Psalm 97
YHWH reigns! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness surround you, YHWH; righteousness and justice are the foundation of your judgment seat. Fire goes before you and destroys your enemies on every side. Your lightning bolts light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at your sight, at the sight of the God of all the earth. The heavens proclaim your justice, and all the peoples see your glory. All who worship images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before you. Zion hears and is glad, and the women of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, YHWH. For you, YHWH, are Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. YHWH, you love those who hate evil; preserve the lives of your faithful ones and deliver them from the hands of the wicked. Light dawns for the just, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in YHWH, you just, and give praise to God’s holy Name!
—Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CAROL—The Holy And The Ivy: [Click Here For Music] A READING Luke 2. 1-14
In those days, Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole Roman world. This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All the people were instructed to go back to the towns of their birth to register. And so Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to “the city of David”—Bethlehem, in Judea, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David; he went to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her delivery. She gave birth to her firstborn, a son; she put him in a simple cloth wrapped like a receiving blanket, and laid him in a feeding trough for cattle, because there was no room for them at the inn.
There were shepherds in the area living in the fields and keeping night watch by turns over their flock. The angel of God appeared to them, and the glory of God shone around them; they were very much afraid. The angel said to them, “You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you—news of a great joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in David’s city, a savior—the Messiah—has been born to you. Let this be a sign to you: you’ll find an infant wrapped in a simple cloth, lying in a manger.” CAROL—Joy To the World: [Click Here For Music] Suddenly, there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in high heaven! And on earth, peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see this event that God has made known to us.”
They hurried and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger;
once they saw this, they reported what they had been told concerning the child. All who heard about it were astonished at the report given by the shepherds.
Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. The shepherds went away glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.
—Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. PSALMODY Psalm 98
Sing a new song to YHWH, who has worked wonders, whose right hand and holy arm have brought deliverance! YHWH has made salvation known and shown divine justice to the nations, and has remembered in truth and love the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Most High, all the earth, break into joyous songs of praise! Sing praise to YHWH with the harp, with the harp and melodious singing! With trumpets and the blast of the shofar, raise a shout to YHWH, Ruler of All. Let the sea and all within it thunder; the world and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy before YHWH, who comes to judge the earth, who will rule the world with justice and its peoples with equity.
—Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CAROL—Sussex Carol: [Click Here For Music] A READING John 1. 1-5, 9 In the beginning there was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. The Word was present to God from the beginning. Through the Word all things came into being, and apart from the Word nothing came into being that has come into being. In the Word was life, and that life was humanity’s light—a Light that shines in the darkness, a Light that the darkness has never overtaken. The Word was coming into the world—was in the world— and though the world was made through the Word, the world didn’t recognize it. Though the Word came to its own realm, the Word’s own people didn’t accept it. Yet any who did accept the Word, who believed in that Name, were empowered to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor urge of flesh nor human will—but born of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt with us; we saw the Word’s glory— the favor and position a parent gives an only child—filled with grace, filled with truth. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CAROL—O Come, All Ye Faithful (arr.): [Click Here For Music] PRAYER OF INTERCESSION—Joe Milner (adapted) For the Church: that Christ may be born in our hearts so that we may bring God’s love and hope to all whom we encounter . . . SilenceFor the gift of light: that God will enlighten the lives of all who are searching and help them recognize the path of life and meaning in Christ . . . Silence For an outpouring of God's favor in our time: that God will rekindle of a childlike spirit of wonder, awe, and openness to all the gifts that God extends to us . . . Silence For a spirit of gratitude: that our minds and hearts may recognize and appreciate all that God has done for us . . . Silence For a greater awareness of our identity: that we may recognize our call to be children of God and manifest God’s love and compassion in our lives . . . Silence For all peoples on the earth: that God’s incarnate presence with us will bring forth peace and goodwill; reconciliation and forgiveness; and an end to violence and terrorism . . . Silence For healing for the human family: that God who became human may help us recognize the dignity of each person who was made in the image and likeness of God . . . Silence For all who are recovering from natural disasters, who have lost homes or employment, or who have fled violence: that the coming of Christ may renew their hope, strengthen their spirits, and help them rebuild their lives . . . Silence For all who are pregnant: that they have all the resources and support to make the best of choices for all who are involved, that all involved be accepting of responsibilty, that medical care be provided and the pregnancy be cared for safely . . . Silence For all who are parents: that they may recognize the gift of God that they hold and faithfully nurture their child whom God has entrusted to them . . . Silence For healing of all fear: that the angel's message, Fear Not, may free all the human family and each of us from the bonds of fear and propel us to live boldly . . . Silence For all who have no gifts this night, particularly children: that they may experience being loved this day and strengthen by the gift of friendship . . . Silence For all who are ill: that God will relieve their pain, restore them to their loved ones, and protect the human family from the Covid virus . . . Silence For all who are traveling or away from home this night (day), particularly missionaries and members of the military: that God will guide their movements, preserve them in love, and bring them home safely . . . Silence For peace in Bethlehem, the West Bank, and Israel: that God will open new communication and understanding between all who live in the Holy Land . . . Silence Almighty God, who brings gladness to our hearts and inspiration to our minds in this season of Christmas, hear our prayers and shed your love abroad that all would know the joyous news of Jesus' birth . . . SilenceTo your honor and glory, now and forevermore. Amen. CAROL—O Holy Night: [Click Here For Music] GOING FORTH; We go in peace to love God and love all people, and may the Spirit of Christmas live in each heart, now and forever. Amen. |
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
DAILY MEDITATION AND PRAYER FOR THE WEEK PRECEDING CHRISTMAS Saturday, December 18 - Friday, December 24  Opening Song For Each Day O Day Of God, Draw Nigh O day of God, draw nigh in beauty and in power; come with thy timeless judgment now to match our present hour. Bring to our troubled minds, uncertain and afraid, the quiet of a steadfast faith, calm of a call obeyed. Bring justice to our land, that all may dwell secure, and finely build for days to come foundations that endure. Bring to our world of strife thy sovereign word of peace, that war may haunt the earth no more, and desolation cease. O day of God, draw nigh as at creation's birth; let there be light again, and set thy judgments on the earth. Prayer For This Last Week Of Advent "The Magnificat" (Canticle of Mary) My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever. Amen. O Highest Wisdom, ComeSaturday, December 18 Call to Prayer Amos 5:8 Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion,
and turns deep darkness into the morning,
and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea,
and pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:2-3a The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. Eternal God, your Word of wisdom goes forth and does not return empty: Grant us such knowledge and love of you that we may perceive your presence in all creation and every creature; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, now and for ever. Amen. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. Gospel Reading: John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came
68 Advent Ethics
into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.
What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of
all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not
overcome it. O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High and reach from beginning to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things. Behold and bless your church. Be present in ordering the life of this and every congregation. Come and teach us the way of prudence. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. O God,
fill our hearts with your love
and our minds with your wisdom
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O WISDOM, your words spoken in the beginning of creation generated a world of beauty and goodness: Come and instruct us in the way of prudence, that we may care for your world with justice and compassion; through the one whom we know as the Wisdom of the Ages, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. O God of Israel, ComeSunday, December 19 Call to Prayer Psalm 119:55 I remember your name in the night, O God,
and keep your law. O come, O come, great God of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:3b-5 He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins. Our God, you gave your law that righteousness might abound: Put it into our hearts to love justice for others as much as we desire it for ourselves, that, as we know you to be our judge, so we may welcome your reign as it is manifested through Jesus Christ our Redeemer; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:24-29 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not
fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who
built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds
blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”
Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were
astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority,
and not as their scribes. O Adonai, God of the Covenant, ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave your law. Forgive us when we stray from your guidance and will. Come and redeem us for our life together. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. O God,
fill our hearts with zeal
and our minds with saving knowledge of your way
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O ADONAI, ruler of the house of Israel, you rescued remnants of your people from slavery and exile: Come and with great might deliver us from all that binds us to sin and alienates us from you, through the one whom we know as Mighty Savior of all, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. O Root of Jesse, ComeMonday, December 20 Call to Prayer Psalm 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God;
give ear to the words of my mouth. O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:1, 10 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples;
the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. Almighty God, you brought forth a royal branch from the ancient stock of Jesse’s line: Grant that we who have been grafted into this heritage may bear fruit worthy of Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-33 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he
came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of
greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your
womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great,
and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give
to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of
Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign to humankind; before you rulers will shut their mouths, and nations bow in worship: We pray for your peace and justice in every nation and throughout the world; be present to all whose lives are ravaged by war and strife; especially we hold before you those from among us who serve our country abroad. Guide the leaders of this and every land into the paths of peace and goodwill. Come save us and do not delay. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. O God,
fill our hearts with love for all nations
and our minds with understanding to serve them
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O ROOT OF JESSE, you reach deep into our hearts, drawing forth our longing for justice: Come and plant within us a passion for your Kin-Dom; through the One whom we know as the Root of all righteousness, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. O Key of David, ComeTuesday, December 21 Call to Prayer Psalm 42:8
By day God commands steadfast love, and at night God's song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death's abode. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 For a Child has been born for us,
a Child given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the God of hosts will do this. Gracious God, your Son Jesus Christ opened wide the gate of heaven, making plain the way that leads to eternal joy: Grant that we who have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life may strive courageously for the freedom and peace of the world; through the same your Son, Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked
his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said,
“Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or
one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I
tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can shut, you shut and no one can open: Guide us in opening the doors of opportunity for the unemployed, for the homeless, for prisoners, and for all who are oppressed; and lead us in closing the doors that lead to poverty, bigotry, and injustice. Come and bring the captives out of the prison house. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. O God,
fill our hearts with love for one another
and our minds with wise counsel
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O KEY OF DAVID, you open and no one closes; you close and no one opens: Come and liberate us from captivity to our past, that we may face your future's promise with boldness and purpose; through the One whom we know as the Son of David, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. O Glorious Dayspring, ComeWednesday, December 22 Call to Prayer Psalm 139:11-12 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar! Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-2 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time the Lord brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the
land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of
the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined. O Jesus Christ, in your resurrection you appeared as the Morning Star that knows no setting: Dawn upon the darkness of the human heart so that the deathly orders of this world may be overcome and your whole creation renewed; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. The Benedictus/Song of Zechariah: Luke 1:68-79 Blessed be the God of Israel,
for he God looked favorably on the people and redeemed them.
God has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his servant David,
as God spoke through the mouth of the holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all
who hate us.
Thus God has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Sarah and Abraham,
to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness
before God all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before God to prepare the ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to the people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. O Dayspring, radiance of the Light Eternal and Sun of Righteousness: Shine your light on those who have died and bring comfort to all those who mourn. Come and enlighten all who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. O God,
fill our hearts with mercy
and our minds with discernment
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O RISING DAWN, you chase away the shadows of the night: Come and enlighten our darkness with visions of reconciliation, that we who are alienated one from another may seek fullness of life together; through the One whom we know as the Light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Sovereign of Nations, ComeThursday, December 23 Call to Prayer Psalm 65:1-2 Praise is due to you,
O God, in Zion;
and to you shall vows be performed,
O you who answer prayer!
To you all flesh shall come. O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-2 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time the Lord brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the
land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of
the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. O Jesus Christ, in wisdom you order all things peaceably, and where you are sovereign justice prevails; so form our minds and rule our hearts that we may freely show your care in perfect service toward the common good; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-42 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a
vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a
watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.
When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed
another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the
first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to
them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the
son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and
get his inheritance.’ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard,
and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will
he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches
to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will
give him the produce at the harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes’”? O Sovereign of the Nations and their Desire, you are the cornerstone that makes us one: We lift up all who are suffering and in need. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous and help us minister to them in your love. Come and save us whom you have fashioned out of clay. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? Church Publishing Incorporated. O God,
fill our hearts with hope
and our minds with welcome for your restoring grace
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O SOVEREIGN OF THE NATIONS, you defend the cause of the poor and raise up the oppressed of the earth: Come and build us into a world community where all are valued and the vulnerable protected, through the One whom we know as the chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. O God Among Us, ComeFriday, December 24 Call to Prayer Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-2 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time the Lord brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the
land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of
the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined. O Emmanuel, God with us, Expected One and Saviour, we give thanks for all the blessings of this life; for all those who today celebrate life; and for all the other blessings that fill our days. We thank you for the witness of all your holy ones, along with the great cloud of witnesses who forever sing your praise. Make us all and everyone ready to receive you into our hearts, to serve you in all whom we meet, and to greet you in the fullness of your glory in the day of your appearing. Come and save us, O Lord our God. —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? (Kindle Locations 1845-1848). Church Publishing Incorporated. Kindle Edition. Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:20b-23 An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are
to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this
took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the
prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” Eternal God, you do not abandon us in exile but hear our plea for returning and rest: Visit us we pray with your presence and raise us to greet with hope and joy the promised day of salvation; through Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.7 —Petersen, William H.. What Are We Waiting For? (Kindle Locations 1845-1848). Church Publishing Incorporated. Kindle Edition. O God,
fill our hearts with joy
and our minds with perception of your presence
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.
May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit.
Amen. O EMMANUEL, God with us, you dwell beyond our farthest reach, yet are nearer to us than we are to ourselves: Come among us in these days of expectation, that we may give birth to what is true, just, beautiful, and good; for you are the One whom we know as Rdeemer, and with the Creator and the Holy Spirit, you abide with us, one God, now and forever. Amen. |
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