CHRISTMASTIDE CHURCH SERVICE
If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual Communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.
CHRISTMASTIDE CHURCH SERVICE
Celebrant; 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation; 'Amen.'
Beginning hymn; O Holy Night
http://www.cross.tv/188671
Lyrics;
"Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth,If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual Communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.
CHRISTMASTIDE CHURCH SERVICE
Celebrant; 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation; 'Amen.'
Beginning hymn; O Holy Night
http://www.cross.tv/188671
Lyrics;
"Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices,
O night divine, O night when Christ was born,
O night divine, O night divine.
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in joyful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
He knows our need,
Our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend. "
Celebrant; "Let us pray.
Hear the words of the Angel to Joseph,
'You shall call His Name Jesus,
For He will save His people from His sins.
Let us rejoice in the coming of God's Son,
As we join in prayer this Holy Night."
Invitation to Confession;
Celebrant; "Christ the Light of the World has come,
to dispel the darkness.
Let us turn to His Light and reflect on our lives.'"
Here follows a few moments of silence. Reach out to God with your heart, and think of any area in your life where you can improve as a person. If there is an area in your life on which you need to work, silently communicate with God and commit to addressing this area.
Celebrant; "God our Father, You sent Your Son; born of a Virgin, born in a stable.
Forgive our failures to receive Him.
Lord have mercy."
Congregation; "Lord, have mercy".
Celebrant; "Jesus our Savior,
Born in poverty, apprentice to carpenter,
Forgive the times we have wanted money more than the ways of God.
Christ, have mercy".
Congregation; "Christ, have mercy".
Celebrant; "Spirit of Love,
Your servants Mary and Joseph obeyed Your Word and gave us our Saviour.
Forgive us when our hearts are hard".
Congregation; "Lord have mercy".
Celebrant; "May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to life eternal".
Congregation; "Amen".
Celebrant; "May God Who loved the world so much,
That He sent His Son to be our Saviour,
Forgive us our sins, and make us holy to serve Him in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord".
Congregation; "Amen.".
Congregation;
"Glory to God in the highest, And peace to all of goodwill.
We praise You, we bless you, we adore You, we glorify You.
We give You thanks for Your Great Glory.
Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son of the Father.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
You Who take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us. You are seated at the Right Hand of The Father,
Have mercy on us.
For You alone are Holy, You alone are Lord.
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ.
With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Amen".
Readings;
First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah, 9;6-7
"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given,
And the government will be upon His Shoulder.
And His Name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,
Of the increase of His government and peace,
There will be no end.
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this".
Responsorial Psalm
Response; Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
Sing to the LORD, all you lands,
Sing to the LORD, bless His Name.
R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Announce His Salvation, day after day,
Tell His glory among the nations,
Among all peoples, His wondrous deeds.
R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
They shall exult, before the LORD, for He comes;
He comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the earth with justice,
And the peoples with His constancy.
R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Second Reading from Luke 2;7;
"Mary gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son,
And wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,
And laid Him in a manger."
Gospel Acclamation:
"Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
And we have seen His glory.
Alleluia, Alleluia."
Celebrant; Gospel; Luke 2;1 - 16
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and town of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son.
She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the Angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will bring great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; He will be wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger.'
Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying,
'"Glory to God in the Highest Heaven,
And on earth peace to those on whom His Favour rests."
When the Angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another;
"Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.'
Celebrant; "This is the gospel of Christ".
Congregation; "Glory to Christ our Saviour".
Word of Encouragement;
Celebrant; "It is easy for us to forget that the final result of our earthly history will be peace forever under the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the heir to the throne of David. Yet we should always remember this fact. Every cloak rolled in blood will be burned, every spear shaped for war will be hammered into a shape suitable only for peacable pastimes. Christ Himself has promised this.
And the government will be upon His Shoulder.
And His Name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,
Of the increase of His government and peace,
There will be no end.
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this".
Responsorial Psalm
Response; Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
Sing to the LORD, all you lands,
Sing to the LORD, bless His Name.
R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Announce His Salvation, day after day,
Tell His glory among the nations,
Among all peoples, His wondrous deeds.
R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
They shall exult, before the LORD, for He comes;
He comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the earth with justice,
And the peoples with His constancy.
R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Second Reading from Luke 2;7;
"Mary gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son,
And wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,
And laid Him in a manger."
Gospel Acclamation:
"Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
And we have seen His glory.
Alleluia, Alleluia."
Celebrant; Gospel; Luke 2;1 - 16
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and town of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son.
She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the Angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will bring great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; He will be wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger.'
Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying,
'"Glory to God in the Highest Heaven,
And on earth peace to those on whom His Favour rests."
When the Angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another;
"Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.'
Celebrant; "This is the gospel of Christ".
Congregation; "Glory to Christ our Saviour".
Word of Encouragement;
Celebrant; "It is easy for us to forget that the final result of our earthly history will be peace forever under the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the heir to the throne of David. Yet we should always remember this fact. Every cloak rolled in blood will be burned, every spear shaped for war will be hammered into a shape suitable only for peacable pastimes. Christ Himself has promised this.
The promised Messiah has come into our world at Christmastime. Let us rejoice!
Let us refuse to be drawn into a spiral of violence. Let us decline to glamorise the hurting and suffering of others. We follow the Infant King Who is the Prince of Peace. Let each of us be peaceable in our families, homes and society. Only then will we be able to truly call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counsellor and Son of God come down from heaven to earth.
Let us follow Him in our lives by being persons of peace and of prayer.
You may spend some time in quiet reflection if you so wish.
Prayers of Intercession;
Celebrant; 'Let us pray to Jesus our Saviour.
Christ, born in a stable,
Shepherd of all; search out those Who do not believe in God
and tirelessly help to enkindle the spark of faith in saddened hearts with no hope.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, for whom the angels sang,
Bless all infants who have died through abortion over this past year.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, worshipped by the shepherds,
we pray for immigrants and for those who have died fleeing conflict.'
Congregation; 'Jesus,, Saviour,
hear our prayer'
.
Celebrant; 'Christ, before whom the wise men knelt,
we pray for all who work against the coming of Your Kingdom, that they may receive miraculous conversion of heart.
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, whose radiance filled a lowly manger,
give the glory of your resurrection to all who rest in you.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Jesus, Saviour, child of Mary,
you know us and love us,
you share our lives
and hear our prayer.
Glory to you for ever. Amen.,
Breaking of Bread
Celebrant; 'Almighty God, You made a covenant with Your people, and declared Your purpose of justice and love.
When all things were ready, You sent Your Son to be Our Saviour.
In words and deeds He proclaimed Your Kingdom, and obeyed Your Will even to death on the cross.
Through His mighty death and resurrection, He overcame sin and death, to set the whole creation free.
We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to His disciples and said; 'Take, eat; this is My Body which is broken for you.
Do this in memory of me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.'
Celebrant; 'After the same manner also He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Take this, all of you, and drink; for this is My Blood; the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Do This in memory of Me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation.'
The Lord's Prayer;
'Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever, Amen.'
Benediction;
Celebrant; 'May the joy of the Angels,
The eagerness of the shepherds,
The perseverance of the wise men,
The obedience of Joseph and Mary,
And the peace of the Christ-Child
Be yours this Christmas;
And the blessing of Almighty God be yours this Christmas, now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.
Final Hymn; Silent Night
http://www.cross.tv/230720
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
You may spend some time in quiet reflection if you so wish.
Prayers of Intercession;
Celebrant; 'Let us pray to Jesus our Saviour.
Christ, born in a stable,
Shepherd of all; search out those Who do not believe in God
and tirelessly help to enkindle the spark of faith in saddened hearts with no hope.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, for whom the angels sang,
Bless all infants who have died through abortion over this past year.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, worshipped by the shepherds,
we pray for immigrants and for those who have died fleeing conflict.'
Congregation; 'Jesus,, Saviour,
hear our prayer'
.
Celebrant; 'Christ, before whom the wise men knelt,
we pray for all who work against the coming of Your Kingdom, that they may receive miraculous conversion of heart.
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, whose radiance filled a lowly manger,
give the glory of your resurrection to all who rest in you.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Jesus, Saviour, child of Mary,
you know us and love us,
you share our lives
and hear our prayer.
Glory to you for ever. Amen.,
Breaking of Bread
Celebrant; 'Almighty God, You made a covenant with Your people, and declared Your purpose of justice and love.
When all things were ready, You sent Your Son to be Our Saviour.
In words and deeds He proclaimed Your Kingdom, and obeyed Your Will even to death on the cross.
Through His mighty death and resurrection, He overcame sin and death, to set the whole creation free.
We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to His disciples and said; 'Take, eat; this is My Body which is broken for you.
Do this in memory of me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.'
Celebrant; 'After the same manner also He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Take this, all of you, and drink; for this is My Blood; the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Do This in memory of Me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation.'
The Lord's Prayer;
'Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever, Amen.'
Benediction;
Celebrant; 'May the joy of the Angels,
The eagerness of the shepherds,
The perseverance of the wise men,
The obedience of Joseph and Mary,
And the peace of the Christ-Child
Be yours this Christmas;
And the blessing of Almighty God be yours this Christmas, now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.
Final Hymn; Silent Night
http://www.cross.tv/230720
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR
