For Christmas,
December 24/25, 2015, Year C, Readings:
Christmas Eve Luke
2:1-20 at Creche, Isaiah
9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, John 1:1-14;
Christmas Day Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14,
Luke 2:1-20
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. [Psalm 96:1-2]
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy...to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah...and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God... [Luke 2:8-11, 13]
There is something almost magical, perhaps mystical is a better word, that occurs within me when I hear the words from Luke 2 especially when we get to: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night... I become expectant. I become my 6 year-old self hearing the resonant voice of a familiar narrator. I am hope-filled. All is right in the world...for this moment.
Every year someone says, "If only we could stay this way all year." The spell cast by the words and the music, the glitter of ornaments and lights, and the chatter of little ones and bigger ones ripping paper to reap the reward breaks all too soon and our precious Infant has a far and difficult road to travel in only the few months between now and Easter. What part of it will we travel with him as the moment spins into what we call reality? What part of the reality of others in our community and in the world at large - poverty, violence, war, and greed, do we shun, dismiss, ignore or, throw money to, all while decrying the lack of Christ in Christmas?
Christ is always in CHRISTmas....let's remember to keep Christ in Tuesday, Thursday, February, and August. Let us truly Sing to the Lord and bless his name and proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day to ourselves first! We live out what we believe in. Feel the JOY! The Great Light shines again and always.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, our joy, at long
last, is unbounded by the arrival of our Messiah, come to redeem our sins and
mark us as Your own forever. Hallelujah! Christ our Savior is born!
Glory to God in the
Highest
RESPONSE: And Peace to God’s People on Earth
~
Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, infuse our souls with Your pure light that we
may stand before the earthly powers of our world and our nation and our
community, to radiate Your peace, love, and mercy for all. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Glory to God in the
Highest
And Peace to God’s People on Earth
~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, in the midst of
our joy we ask You to bring healing and comfort to all who are suffering in
body, mind, or spirit, and comfort for those who give them support. We now join
our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Glory to God in the
Highest
And Peace to God’s People on Earth
~
Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, especially now, encircle all grieving hearts
with the comfort that brightens the darkness, while
the vaults of heaven explode in jubilance and glory as our loved ones enter the
gates of eternity. We pray especially for:
Glory to God in the
Highest
And Peace to God’s People on Earth
~
Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud
or silently…
Glory to God in the
Highest
And Peace to God’s People on Earth
~
Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, for our own Shepherds in this sacred field we
give great thanks as they keep watch and guide us toward Your ultimate pasture
of redemption. We pray especially for:
Glory to God in the
Highest
And Peace to God’s People on Earth
The Celebrant adds: O Lord of Hosts, God’s Word Made Flesh, as our Wonderful Counselor, so
activate our wills, so engage our very beings, that we will live intentionally into
Your saving grace each and every day of our lives. On bended knees, and with
worshipful hearts, we ask this of You as our Prince of Peace, and of the Holy
Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with the Almighty High King of Heaven and
Earth, reign in glory as One God, now until the end of forever. Hallelujah!
Christ our Savior is Born! Amen.
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
No comments:
Post a Comment