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THEME: CHRIST IS BORN THROUGH US
GREETING and WELCOME!
PEG: Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community where everyone is welcome to share in our celebration of the Eucharist. We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond aloud and muted where it says “ALL.” All participants will be muted during the liturgy except for the presiders and readers. Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and of the Christ Presence in human hearts everywhere. Thomas Merton wrote: “Christ is born in us today in order that he may appear to the whole world through us.” We gather at this holy meal to celebrate the Christ Presence born in us and through us each day.
Opening Song: Cedarmont Kids - Angels We Have Heard on High
https://youtu.be/oSJUwoXciBY
Reconciliation Rite:
BMM: Let us recall times we did not see the Christ Presence everywhere.
Pause for several moments of silent reflection as you place hand over your heart.
For the times I failed to see Christ in my sisters and brothers and in creation.
BMM and ALL: I am sorry, please forgive me, I thank you, I love you.
ALL: Sing Glory to God- Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/dgn_8q1UWwk
Opening Prayer:
BMM: Emmanuel, God-with-us, we rejoice in your birth in Bethlehem and in your coming anew as the Presence of Christ within our souls. We are your dwelling place. We are now your Bethlehem. Like the angels and shepherds who were filled with wonder long ago, we sing and dance for joy as we welcome you again and again, in the love that flows through us to others. Amen, Alleluia!
LITURGY OF THE WORD
SUZANNE BIRES : First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of deep shadows
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
They name him Wonder-Counselor, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful.
These are the inspired words of the Prophet Isaiah, and we respond
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Psalm Response: When Love Was Born - sung by Mark Schultz
JOAN PESCE: Second Reading: Dancing God by Joyce Rupp
Dancing God
passionate leap of creative energy
skipping among the stars
waltzing on rivers
birthing a Universe
Dancing God
tumbling from somewhere in Jewish territory
whirling Spirit
seeing 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
spark of angel’s song
shepherds hurrying 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.
These are the inspired words of Joyce Rupp and we respond
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation: Alle, Alle, Alleluia with Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/ID5UGWcS6Ws
PEG: Gospel: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to 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. Everyone went to register, each to the town of their birth. And so, Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s town of 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 and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
There were shepherds in the area living in the fields and keeping nightwatch 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 - tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people. This day in David’s city, a savior - the Messiah - has been born to you. Let this be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in high heavens! And on earth, peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.
These are the inspired words of the evangelist Luke. We respond
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation: Alle, Alle, Alleluia with Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/ID5UGWcS6Ws
BMM: Homily Starter: A Meditation - Christ is born through us by Bridget Mary
https://youtu.be/5Zd_c3vuP4M
(Text)
BMM: Imagine that you were present in the stable with Mary and Joseph when Jesus was born.
Be aware of what you see, hear, or feel...
Like Jesus, Mary and Joseph who were forced to flee a ruler's terror, Christ is born today in refugee families, fleeing war and violence in their native lands...
Christ is born each day in the hungry, the homeless, the nobodies, the least and the last in our midst....
Christ is born through us when we visit the sick, comfort the grieving, and help those in need...
Christ is born through us when we look at life with eyes filled with child-like wonder...
Christ is born through us when we gather at table with family and friends to nourish one another...
Christ is born through us…when we listen to people with whom we disagree and treat them with respect....
Christ is born through us…when we welcome people of every race, nation and gender into a circle of love...
We rejoice this Christmas that we are Bethlehem where Christ is always welcome, loved and cherished!
(Silent pause)
Community Sharing: Share one way Christ is born anew through us/others in our world today.
Profession of Faith:
SUZANNE BIRES and 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 calls us to live fully, love tenderly, and serve generously. Amen.
Prayers of the Community:
JOAN PESCE: For a deeper realization of the Christ Presence working through us each day, we pray.
Joan and ALL: May Christ be born anew in us each day.
JOAN PESCE: For good health, energy and vitality for ourselves and all for whom, we pray
Joan and ALL: May Christ be born anew in us each day.
JOAN PESCE: For healing for the sick and comfort for the grieving, we pray
Joan and ALL: May Christ be born anew in us each day.
JOAN PESCE: For our loved ones who have passed into God's eternal embrace, we pray.
Joan and ALL: May Christ be born anew in us each day.
Joan Meehan shares Prayer Intentions in MMOJ book
JOAN PESCE: and for what else do we pray?
BMM: 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.
PEG and ALL: Blessed be God forever.
PREFACE
BMM: God dwells in us.
PEG and ALL: And in all people everywhere.
BMM: Lift up your hearts.
PEG and ALL: We lift them up in the joy of Divine Presence within us.
BMM: Affirm the power of love within you and within all.
PEG and ALL: Alleluia
We Are Holy – Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
BETH PONCE: Mothering Presence, you brought forth all creation from your Life-Giving Womb. O Giver of all Gifts, you came as Love Poured Out to dwell among us. You revealed yourself in Mary's womb, in a shining star, in humble shepherds, and in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
ELENA GARCIA: Today, we see the Christ Presence shining forth as pure love in the eyes of the elderly, in the service of care-givers, in the witness of justice-makers, and in the dreams embedded in our own hearts. We give thanks for the Giver of Abundant gifts that nourishes and sustains us. We commit ourselves to be gifts of your goodness and generosity as we serve the needs of the least and the last in our world.
Invocation of the Holy Spirit:
(raise hands toward bread and wine for Invocation of the Holy Spirit)
BMM and ALL: Now, we share the bread of life and lift the cup of blessing at this festive meal as we pray: come Holy Spirit deepen your Presence within us and in these gifts of bread and wine.
On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat. Do this in memory of me.”
Pause for silent reflection
PEG and ALL: In the same way, Jesus took the cup of wine. He said the blessing, gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink. Do this in memory of me.”
Pause for silent reflection
BMM and ALL: Let us proclaim the sacred presence of our nurturing God:
Jesus, you are born again and again in us and through us each day.
BETH PONCE: We remember the prophet and saints in every age, who, like candles in the night, illuminated the darkness of doubt with faith, courage and wisdom: Miriam and Moses, Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Joseph, and all our beloved family and friends. We recall the spiritual treasures they passed down to us through the ages.
PEG: We join in the divine cosmic dance in communion with all that is, all that was, and all that will be. Through Christ, in Christ, with Christ, all praise and glory echoes through the universe as your Spirit leaps for joy within us!
The Great Amen with Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
ELENA GARCIA: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
O Holy One, you are within, around, and among us.
We celebrate your many names. Your wisdom come, your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us. Each day you give us all we need. You remind us of our limits, and we let go. You support us in your power, and we act with courage. For you are the dwelling place within us, the empowerment around us, and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen. Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS
THE SIGN OF PEACE
PEG: Jesus, you said: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. May we be the peace we wish to see in the world. Let us share a gesture of deep peace and justice with everyone in the circle of life as we bow toward you with hands folded, saying together:
ALL: The peace of Christ be with you. Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.
LITANY FOR THE BREAKING OF BREAD
BMM and 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.
PEG and ALL:
We are the hands and feet of Christ in our world. All are invited to this banquet of love.
BMM: Receive the Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing.
BMM and ALL: Amen.
COMMUNION -- Meditation: Silent Night
"Silent Night, Each Holy Child" ~ Shaina Noll
https://youtu.be/8mhXGwctysc
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright
Round every birthday, each mother and child
Each Holy Infant is tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, each holy child sleep in peace.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
PEG: Dancing God, we awaken to your love born anew in our world as we share your gifts at our holy table. May your tender presence continue to open our hearts to the daily miracles of Christ Presence that surround us each day. May Christ be born anew through us in our world this Christmas and New Year!
PEG and ALL: Amen.
Welcome, Gratitude, and Announcements
CONCLUDING RITE
BMM: The Holy One is within you.
PEG and ALL: and within all.
BLESSING
(everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing)
BMM and ALL:
May we sing and dance for joy as we celebrate every day as Christmas!
DISMISSAL
PEG: Let us rejoice that Christ is born anew through you and me in our world today. Go in peace and let the service continue.
BMM and ALL: Thanks be to God.
CONCLUDING HYMN: Joy to World - Music (see new words!)
“Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes”
https://youtu.be/CSVdbl-ulJw
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
“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."
Liturgy by Bridget Mary Meehan https://arcwp.org, https://marymotherofjesus.org
If you want to add a prayer intention to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to Joan Meehan. jmeehan515@aol.com
If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them our website at MaryMotherofJesus.org
To support our community, please send your check to:
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
St Andrew UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, Florida 34238
Additional Inspirational Video your Christmas meditation:
We Are Bethlehem by Alana Levandoski
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