CHRISTMAS EVE ! ! !
Saturday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Early Morning
(Matins-Lauds)
(Small Hour) 6:00am, 25 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Centering Prayer (20 min.)
[Keep silence in the
presence of God. Pick a word or phrase to inwardly return to when thoughts or
distractions interrupt your stillness. There is a wonderful “Centering Prayer”
app, and other resources to guide you in Appendix C.]
or [Prayer Beads]
[Those who cannot do
Centering Prayer may use Prayer Beads or engage other forms of active yet
contemplative prayer during this time. Appendix B.]
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The
candle is extinguished.]
Christmas Eve Morning
(Prime) (Large Hour) 8:00am 30min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy,
Which will come to all
the people;
For unto you is born this day in the city of David,
A Savior, who is Christ
the Lord. [based on Luke 2:10-11]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may
be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Reflection [if in Community, one may share… or use
Lectio Divina, app. D]
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Mediatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… traditional; may be spoken
together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen. OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
Let your goodness Lord
appear to us,
that we, made in your
image, conform ourselves to it.
In our own strength, we
cannot imitate
your majesty, power, and wonder,
nor is it fitting for us to try.
But your mercy reaches
from the heavens through the clouds
to the earth below.
You have come to us as
a small child,
but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love.
Caress us with your
tiny hands,
embrace us with your
tiny arms,
and pierce our hearts
with your soft, sweet cries.
(Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The candle may be
carried out or extinguished]
Christmas Eve Mid-Morning
(Terce) (Small Hour)
10:00am,
15 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Unison
Prayer
Let your goodness Lord
appear to us,
that we, made in your
image, conform ourselves to it.
In our own strength, we
cannot imitate your majesty, power,
and
wonder, nor is it fitting for us to try.
But your mercy reaches
from the heavens through the clouds
to the earth below.
You have come to us as
a small child,
but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love.
Caress us with your
tiny hands,
embrace us with your
tiny arms,
and pierce our hearts
with your soft, sweet cries.
(Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)
Silent Prayer & Personal Reflection Time
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The
candle is extinguished.]
Christmas Eve Noon
(Sext) (Large Hour)
12:00pm 30 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, the dwelling of God
is with humankind.
He will dwell with them,
they shall be his
people,
God himself will be with them,
and he will be their
God. [based on Revelation 21:3]
Prayer
Welcoming Prayer
At this hour we are preparing for
Christmas Eve worship services, practicing the art of letting go, and pondering
things we must leave undone in order to celebrate the Christ Child’s Nativity;
all of which can usher us to a place of contemplating our own vulnerabilities
and frailties. We may need some healing and restoration.
1.
Focus, feel and
sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations and commentaries in your
body.
2.
Welcome God in the feelings, emotions,
thoughts, commentaries or sensations in your body by saying, “Welcome.”
3.
Let go by repeating the following
sentences:
·
“I let go of the desire for security, affection,
control.”
·
“I let go of the desire to change this
feeling/sensation.”
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle may be carried out or extinguished]
We offer no afternoon
or evening “Hours” for the rest of this day, anticipating participation in
local church Christmas Eve Services.
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