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| Left to right: Anna Davis and Bridget Mary Meehan, Co-Presiders |
Presider 1: GREETING
Opening Song
Christmas: "O Come All Ye Faithful" #79
OPENING PRAYER
Presider2: Nurturing God, you became human in Jesus and showed us how to live life fully. You know what it means to laugh and cry, to walk and talk, to love and be loved. We know that your mothering presence is always with us. May we, like Mary, rejoice as we give birth to God within us, and may we give birth to God in everything we say and do. ALL: Amen.
ALL: Glory to God, glory, o praise God, alleluia, Glory to God, glory, o praise the name of our God (sung 3 times)
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
Response to Reading: Angels We have Heard on High (With traditional and new words below to traditional melody)
Angels We Have Heard on High
1 Angels
we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the
mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2 It is
shepherds, poor and meek, chosen first the news to tell.
Give us
hearts, O God, to seek in each face Emmanuel.
Refrain
3 Born of
God's own love divine, we will feed the poorest one.
Christ
brings peace to humankind. Loving justice shall be done!
Refrain
Verse
1: French Carol Verse 2: John Becker Verse
3: Cynthia A. Douglas
4.
Remember the earth, the sea and the sky;
Our love
for creation on which You rely.
Refrain
Verse 1:
Traditional Verses 2; 3: Rae E. Whitney 4: Dennis McDonald
from book: Out of the Ordinary
Dancing God,
Passionate leap
of creative energy
skipping among the stars
waltzing on rivers
birthing a universe
Dancing God,
tumbling from somewhere
into Jewish territory
whirling Spirit
seeding Mary's womb
with alluring divinity
Dancing God,
uncontainable grandeur
kicking and rolling in Mary's flesh
while untamed cousin
echoes the dance in
Aunt Elizabeth
Dancing God,
speak of angel's song
shepherds whilring
like whirling dervishes
gasping in awe at a surprising child
Dancing God,
still passionate today
dynamic movement of love
wooing our hearts
toward oneness and peace
in a tear-stained world
Dance on, Passionate God
we are your dance now
teach us the tune
show us the steps
it is Christmas
it is time to dance.
Gospel Acclamation: ALLELUIA! (sung)
Gospel: Luke 2:15-20
Reader: A reading from the Gospel according to ...
ALL: Glory to you O God.
Reader: The good news of Jesus, the Christ!
ALL: Glory and praise to you, Jesus the Christ!
Christmas Homily
by
Anna Davis
I’d like to begin with a favorite Christmas song introduction,
“What a wonderful time of the year”! Let’s add,
“What an incredible miracle for the world!”
Today, we celebrate Jesus Christ’s Birthday!
“What a wonderful time of the year”! Let’s add,
“What an incredible miracle for the world!”
Today, we celebrate Jesus Christ’s Birthday!
The Gospel according to John opens with
“In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God.” In section 14, he continues,
“And Word became flesh and lived among us, and
we have seen his glory, the glory as of father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.”
“In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God.” In section 14, he continues,
“And Word became flesh and lived among us, and
we have seen his glory, the glory as of father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.”
The birth of Jesus was a humble one.
Mary was 9 months with child.
She traveled on a donkey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
They were required to go to Bethlehem to register because
Joseph was from the House of David.
When they arrived, there was no room in the Inn.
The Jesus of history was born in a cold, damp barn,
surrounded by gentle farm animals and bales of hay.
Mary was 9 months with child.
She traveled on a donkey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
They were required to go to Bethlehem to register because
Joseph was from the House of David.
When they arrived, there was no room in the Inn.
The Jesus of history was born in a cold, damp barn,
surrounded by gentle farm animals and bales of hay.
The Star of David and the Holy Angels brightened the sky.
They radiated the event with glory.
The angels approached the shepherds in the field with
good news of the arrival of the Messiah.
They listened and believed.
They followed the Angel to pay homage to the Messiah.
They radiated the event with glory.
The angels approached the shepherds in the field with
good news of the arrival of the Messiah.
They listened and believed.
They followed the Angel to pay homage to the Messiah.
The wise men from the East followed the star to the birth
place of the King of the Jews.
They brought many gifts of gold and herbs to welcome Him.
The gentle animals knelt at His creche to welcome God’s son.
place of the King of the Jews.
They brought many gifts of gold and herbs to welcome Him.
The gentle animals knelt at His creche to welcome God’s son.
For thirty years Jesus celebrated His birthday as a
modest carpenter.
He lived His life as an abiding Jew.
modest carpenter.
He lived His life as an abiding Jew.
At this time, He began His mission as a good son,
that is, a son of God. He selected 12 hard working men and
many women to join Him as his disciples.
His confident, gentle and enlightening lessons
transformed them into a discipleship of compassion
justice and equality.
that is, a son of God. He selected 12 hard working men and
many women to join Him as his disciples.
His confident, gentle and enlightening lessons
transformed them into a discipleship of compassion
justice and equality.
Together, they left everyone and everything they knew
and committed their lives to His message,
love everyone as they love themselves–
no exemptions. He flung open the doors to a life of forgiveness ,
healing and transformation. .
This peace strengthened them to reach out “with God’s Word”.
and committed their lives to His message,
love everyone as they love themselves–
no exemptions. He flung open the doors to a life of forgiveness ,
healing and transformation. .
This peace strengthened them to reach out “with God’s Word”.
At this 2017 Birthday celebration, let us step into tomorrow’s
promise made flesh by Jesus’s life and teachings.
promise made flesh by Jesus’s life and teachings.
To guide us on our own personal journey, I offer this question:
“If I could do anything I want tomorrow,
what would it be and why?
“If I could do anything I want tomorrow,
what would it be and why?
Merry Christmas and Thank you.
Dialogue HOMILYz: Community shares
Profession of Faith: ALL: We believe in God who is creator and nurturer of all. We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who is our love, our hope, and our light. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of Wisdom Sophia, who energizes and guides us to build caring communities and to challenge injustices. We believe in the communion of saints our heavenly friends, who support us on life’s journey. We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our church and world. We believe that all are one in the community of creation. We believe that God who calls us to live fully, love tenderly, and serve generously. Amen.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Presider1: For a deeper realization that the Spirit of God dwells within us and within everyone,let us pray.
Response: Nurturing God, you embrace us
Presider2 : That we may experience the birthing of the Spirit in our world today, we pray. R. Presider1: That those who suffer from destitution and despair may experience the liberating strength of the Holy One in our solidarity, we pray. R.
Presider2: That the sick and suffering may experience the healing love of God, in our compassionate service, we pray. R. Presider1: That those who have died may rest in God's eternal embrace, we pray. R.
(Other Intentions)
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What Child is This ( traditional and new verses to traditional melody)
1. What
child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom
angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this
is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste,
haste to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary.
2. Our God
arrives in humble guise as baby born of woman,
That we
might see the dignity enfleshed in every human.
This, this
is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste,
haste to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary.
3. What
child is this in every land who cries when food is lacking,
Whose
parents mourn their newly born, whom sickness is attacking?
When will
injustice cease, when will the nations live at peace?
When all
have learned from him, the babe, the son of Mary.
Verse 1:
William C. Dix, 1837-1898 Verse 2: John Becker Verse 3: Rae E. Whitney, sung by Mindy Lou Simmons
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS
Presider1+2: Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we have bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred meal may we become your new creation.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
(Join us around the table)
Presider1: God is with you. ALL: And also with you.
Presider2: Lift up your hearts. ALL: We lift them up to God.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Voice One: Mothering God, you brought forth all creation from your Life-Giving Womb. O Love of the Ages, we praise you and leap for joy in your presence.
Voice Two: Holy One of ancient Israel, you revealed yourself in Mary's womb, in a shining star, in humble shepherds, in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. You embrace us with infinite love in every situation and relationship. You dwell in the depths of our hearts.
Voice Three: We invite you this day to deepen our awareness of your boundless love as we gather around the table of abundant love. With grateful hearts, we proclaim your praise:
ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy, Creator of heaven and earth. All beings are pregnant with your glory. Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed are you who dwell in all creation. Hosanna in the Highest.
Voice Four: Praise to you, all-giving God, born of Mary. You are the body and blood of woman. We glorify you, nurturing God for the dawning of the sacred promise of God's Anointed, fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.
Voice Five: We celebrate the birth of Jesus, our newborn Emmanuel, and the Christ Presence born anew, illuminating the cosmos. Now, we share the bread of life and lift the cup of joy
(raise hands toward bread and wine for Invocation of the Holy Spirit)
All: Come Holy Spirit deepen your Presence within us and in these gifts of bread and wine.
Presider2: As Jesus gave birth to the New Covenant, he took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, and shared it with all those present saying:
ALL: Take this all of you and eat it. This is my body.
Presider1: Then Jesus took a cup of wine, blessed you, Loving God, shared the cup with all those present saying:
ALL: Take this all of you and drink from the covenant of my love, poured out for you and for everyone. Do this in memory of me.
Presider2: Let us proclaim the sacred presence of our nurturing God:
ALL: Christ, by your life, death and rising, you have shown us the fullness of our humanity and divinity, as the Beloved of God.
Second Invocation of the Holy Spirit: (Place hands on each other's shoulder)
All: God of all people, You call us "beloved." You give us courage to be the face of God and to live our divinity as spiritual beings , filled with compassion in the world. You infuse us with Sophia, Holy Wisdom, to recognize the light of Christ in everyone we meet.
Voice Six We remember the prophet and saints who have gone before us: Deborah, Isaiah, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala, Peter, and all our beloved friends
(Community names mentors whom they want to remember, living and dead.)
Voice Seven: God of our dreams, May we give birth to the church of our dreams and hopes. May we give birth to a deep reverence for earth and live in harmony with all creatures on the earth.
ALL: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, all praise and glory are yours, Holy God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
ALL: Our Father and Mother ...
THE SIGN OF PEACE
Presider1: Let us join hands and hearts and pray for peace in our world as we sing “Peace is flowing like a River”, love, joy, alleluia…., or other suitable hymn
LITANY FOR THE BREAKING OF BREAD
ALL: Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power. We will do so. Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will do so. Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will do so.
Presider2: This is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, loving us forever. All are invited to partake of this sacred banquet of love. ALL: We are the Body of Christ.
Presider1: Let us share the Body of Christ with the Body of Christ! ALL: Amen.
COMMUNION
Sing "Silent Night"
Silent Night (with traditional and new words)
1. 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.
2. Silent Night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ, our brother is born, Christ, our brother is born.
3. Silent night, holy night! When will peace conquer might?
Pray that justice will set victims free,
Those who are shackled to bleak poverty.
Christ be born in each heart, Christ be born in each heart.
Verse 1& 2: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848 Verse 3: Rae E. Whitney
Sung by Mindy Lou SimmonsPRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Presider2: God of new beginnings, thank you for nourishing us in your sacrament.
May your tender presence continue to open our hearts to the daily miracles of life that surround us each day, through Emmanuel, God-with-us.
ALL: Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
Presider1: Our God is with you.
ALL: and also with you.
BLESSING
(everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing)
ALL: May the holy One dance within us as we celebrate Christmas today!
DISMISSAL
Presider2: Let us birth Christ anew in our world today. Go in the peace of Christ. ALL: Thanks be to God.
CONCLUDING HYMN: Joy to World ( see new words!)
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Christmas Carol: Send Forth the News that Wisdom Comes" to melody of Joy to the World ( from Jann Aldridge Clanton)
Sound forth the news that Wisdom comes
to bring new life to birth.
Arise with hope, Her labor join,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.
No more let fear and custom hide
the path of Wisdom fair.
She leads the way to life and joy,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts, with gifts for all to share.
Joyful are we who heed the call
of Wisdom in our souls.
With Her we break oppression’s wall,
so love may freely flow,
so love may freely flow,
so love, so love may freely flow.
Crown Wisdom Queen of heaven and earth;
Her reign will set us free.
Fling wide the gates that all may come
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands, join hands and dance with glee.
Words © Jann Aldredge-Clanton, from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians
"By including biblical female names for Deity in Christmas carols we can contribute to gender justice and equality. We can sing carols for change.
One of the most prominent female names for Deity in the Bible is “Wisdom” (Hokmah in the Hebrew Scriptures and Sophia in the Christian Scriptures.) The book of Proverbs depicts Wisdom as a female image of the Divine: “She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with Her. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all Her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of Her; those who hold Her fast are called happy” (Proverbs 3: 15, 17-18).
“Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes” calls us to co-create with Wisdom a world of justice, peace, equality, love, freedom, and joy. This Christmas carol comes with the hope that Wisdom will guide us to change our violent culture and to co-create with Her a peaceful world. Let us join together in our churches, communities, and home in caroling for change."
Joy to the World:
Christmas Carol: Send Forth the News that Wisdom Comes"
to melody of Joy to to the World.“in our churches, communities, and home in caroling for change.
Sound forth the news that Wisdom comes
to bring new life to birth.
Arise with hope, Her labor join,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.
to bring new life to birth.
Arise with hope, Her labor join,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.
No more let fear and custom hide
the path of Wisdom fair.
She leads the way to life and joy,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts, with gifts for all to share.
the path of Wisdom fair.
She leads the way to life and joy,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts, with gifts for all to share.
Joyful are we who heed the call
of Wisdom in our souls.
With Her we break oppression’s wall,
so love may freely flow,
so love may freely flow,
so love, so love may freely flow.
of Wisdom in our souls.
With Her we break oppression’s wall,
so love may freely flow,
so love may freely flow,
so love, so love may freely flow.
Crown Wisdom Queen of heaven and earth;
Her reign will set us free.
Fling wide the gates that all may come
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands, join hands and dance with glee.
Her reign will set us free.
Fling wide the gates that all may come
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands, join hands and dance with glee.
Words © Jann Aldredge-Clanton, from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians,Bass & Percussion: Jerry Hancock
Music Producer/Arranger: Ron DiIulio
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