Antiphon
Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8zya7wc
O radix Jesse,
qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O Root of Jesse,
standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
O Root of Jesse,
you reach deep down into the darkness of the earth
and stir the world’s longings for deliverance and hope:
raise up within our own lives
a spirit of courage and strength, of wisdom and insight,
that we may do your work for the coming of your kingdom—
through the merits of the one we know as the beginning of the ages,
even Christ, our Lord. Amen. WS2
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be 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.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Jeannette M Lindholm ©
Tune: Columcille https://tinyurl.com/2npx2tsw
Unexpected and mysterious
is the gentle Word of grace.
Ever loving and sustaining
is the peace of God’s embrace.
If we falter in our courage
and we doubt what we have known,
God is faithful to console us
as a mother tends her own.
2 In a momentary meeting
of eternity and time,
Mary learned that she would carry
both the mortal and divine.
Then she learned of God’s compassion,
of Elizabeth’s great joy,
and she ran to greet the woman
who would recognize her boy.
3 We are called to ponder mystery
and await the coming Christ,
to embody God’s compassion
for each fragile human life.
God is with us in our longing
to bring healing to the earth
while we watch with joy and wonder
for the promised Savior’s birth.
PSALMS
Psalm 98 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybagfe5m)
1 O sing unto the Lord a new song *
for he hath done marvellous things.
2 With his own right hand, and with his holy arm *
hath he gotten himself the victory.
3 The Lord declared his salvation *
his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel *
and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.
5 Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands *
sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
6 Praise the Lord upon the harp *
sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.
7 With trumpets also, and shawms *
O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.
8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is *
the round world, and they that dwell therein.
9 Let the floods clap their hands,
and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord *
for he is come to judge the earth.
10 With righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the people with equity.
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.
Psalm 98 (LSB Tone F: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-98-LSB.mp3)
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love
and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn;
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it,
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord,
9 For he will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Glory be 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.
Psalm 99 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ycxaq7mg)
1 The Lord is King, be the people never so impatient *
he sitteth between the cherubims, be the earth never so unquiet.
2 The Lord is great in Sion *
and high above all people.
3 They shall give thanks unto thy Name *
which is great, wonderful, and holy.
4 The king’s power loveth judgement; thou hast prepared equity *
thou hast executed judgement and righteousness in Jacob.
5 O magnify the Lord our God *
and fall down before his footstool, for he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among such as call upon his Name *
these called upon the Lord, and he heard them.
7 He spake unto them out of the cloudy pillar *
for they kept his testimonies, and the law that he gave them.
8 Thou heardest them, O Lord our God *
thou forgavest them, O God, and punishedst their own inventions.
9 O magnify the Lord our God, and worship him upon his holy hill *
for the Lord our God is holy.
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.
Psalm 99 (LSB Tone F: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-99-LSB.mp3)
1 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion,
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy. is he!
4 The king in his might loves justice;
you have established equity;
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God, worship at His footstool!
Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrong-doing.
9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain;
for the Lord our God is holy!
Glory be 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.
Psalm 100 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ycklx9gf)
1 O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands *
serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
2 Be ye sure that the Lord he is God *
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
3 O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
4 For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting *
and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
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.
Psalm 100 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-100.mp3)
1 Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; *
serve the LORD with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
2 Know this: The LORD himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
4 For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Psalm 101 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7mv7duf)
1 My song shall be of mercy and judgement *
unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
2 O let me have understanding *
in the way of godliness.
3 When wilt thou come unto me *
I will walk in my house with a perfect heart.
4 I will take no wicked thing in hand; I hate the sins of unfaithfulness *
there shall no such cleave unto me.
5 A froward heart shall depart from me *
I will not know a wicked person.
6 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour *
him will I destroy.
7 Whoso hath also a proud look and high stomach *
I will not suffer him.
8 Mine eyes look upon such as are faithful in the land *
that they may dwell with me.
9 Whoso leadeth a godly life *
he shall be my servant.
10 There shall no deceitful person dwell in my house *
he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
11 I shall soon destroy all the ungodly that are in the land *
that I may root out all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.
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.
Psalm 101 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-101.mp3)
1 I will sing of mercy and justice; *
to you, O LORD, will I sing praises.
2 I will strive to follow a blameless course;
oh, when will you come to me? *
I will walk with sincerity of heart within my house.
3 I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; *
I hate the doers of evil deeds;
they shall not remain with me.
4 A crooked heart shall be far from me; *
I will not know evil.
5 Those who in secret slander their neighbors I will destroy; *
those who have a haughty look and a proud
heart I cannot abide.
6 My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may
dwell with me, *
and only those who lead a blameless life shall
be my servants.
7 Those who act deceitfully shall not dwell in my house, *
and those who tell lies shall not continue in my sight.
8 I will soon destroy all the wicked in the land, *
that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the LORD.
PRAYER
Holy God,
you are exalted over all the nations,
and just in all your ways.
Strengthen us to worship you with our deeds
and to proclaim your greatness with our lips,
for the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
HYMN: Jacque B Jones ©
Tune: Wayfaring Stranger https://tinyurl.com/2p82sytw
1 Poor of the earth, I am a shepherd;
in rugged fields, I make my home.
Yet I attend the words of prophets,
and I can hope. How will I know?
Sprung from the roots, the line of Jesse,
will come one chosen for us all.
The prophet’s songs foretell a leader—
a virgin’s child. How will I know?
2 Another dawn, the sun before me,
another day to bide and watch.
I trust in God and I am waiting.
Day follows day. How will I know?
The nights are cold; I do not mind them,
my lambs rest safe within my care.
Companion moon is nightly changing;
my constant God: How will I know?
3 With each new day, I pause in wonder,
to look at Bethlehem afar.
From this small town will come a savior,
born in our midst. How will I know?
When time is right, God, share your purpose;
rulers and kings, they must be told.
I live apart. I wait in silence.
Who will tell me? How will I know?
4 This day is done, my prayers unanswered,
once more I sigh as darkness falls.
Your will be done, I must be patient;
I long for news. How will I know?
My bones are tired, my soul is hungry,
my stony bed awaits me now.
Do not forget your faithful shepherd.
Perhaps tonight. How will I know?
Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).’
When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
HYMN: Willard F Jabusch
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/ynjyctnt
Refrain:
The King of glory comes;
the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before him;
lift up your voices.
1 Who is the king of glory;
How shall we call him?
He is Emmanuel,
the promised of ages. [Refrain]
2 In all of Galilee,
in city or village,
He goes among his people,
curing their illness. [Refrain]
3 He gave his life for us,
the pledge of salvation;
He took upon himself
the sin of the nations. [Refrain]
4 He conquered sin and death;
he truly has risen,
and he will share with us
his heavenly vision. [Refrain]
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
CANTICLE: Luke 1:68-79
(Consiglio: https://tinyurl.com/ya8y3kqs)
Ant. Blest be the Lord God of Israel; *
who has come to his people and set them free.
God has raiséd up a Savior strong and proud,
born of his servant David.
And through holy prophets God has promised from of old,
to save us from all our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. Ant.
God promised to show mercy to our ancestors
to remember the covenant.
This was the oath sworn to father Abraham,
to set us free from our enemies’ hands,
free to worship God without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. Ant.
You, little child, are the prophet of the Lord,
you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
To give the people knowledge of salvation
by forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high breaks upon us,
to shine on us who dwell in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet on the way of peace. Ant.
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that our hearts may leap for joy as we recognize God-with-us in the people and events of our lives
For all believers: that we, like Mary, may believe that God will do great things in and through our ordinariness
For a spirit of joy: that we may be grateful for all the gifts and opportunities that God offers us and rejoice in the blessings which come to us each day
For new parents and expectant parents: that God will bless their children with health and help them to care for and nurture their children both physically and spiritually
For all couples desiring to conceive: that God will fulfill their wish and help them to witness faith, hope, and love to their children
For all children who are at risk, who have run away, who are in institutional settings, or who have been trafficked: that God will guide them to someone whom they can trust and bring them to safety
For all who live in Bethlehem and the hill country of Judah; for Christians, Jews, and Muslims: that God’s Spirit will open new pathways of peace and bring forth new hope for all who live in fear
For spiritual companions and guides: that we may each find a wise and trusted soul who will accompany us as we discover how God is at work in us and the world around us
For refugees who have fled violence or oppression: that God will protect them from harm, give them strength to face their challenges, and guide them to places of safety
For anyone experiencing fear, anxiety, or depression: that the birth of Christ may bring light into their lives and freedom to their hearts
For all who are traveling during this season: that they may arrive safely and have renewing visits with family and friends
For all who are away from home during the Christmas season, particularly missionaries, aid workers, and members of the military: that God will fill their hearts with peace and reunite them with loved ones in the New Year
For all whose lives seem unimportant: that they may listen for God’s call and advance God’s saving plan through their lives and deeds
For all who were injured or lost homes or businesses in the recent tornadoes: that God will heal their wounds, keep them safe from further harm, and help them access the resources that they need
For the sick: that God will heal all who are suffering, give them hope, and renew the strength of all who are caring for them
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
God of impossible love,
announcing to us
a new way of being,
an unconventional birth:
give us the faith of Mary
to work with the Spirit of life;
give us her perplexity
an opening to the event;
give us her deep thought
which delves beyond the norm;
through Jesus Christ, long awaited, unforeseen. Amen. PIC
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
The main scripture readings are from the The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Edition, The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The reading from John is from the Common English Bible © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional-language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of Psalms 100 and 101 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are chanted by Ryland Angel. The modern versions of Psalms 98 and 99 are from Lutheran Service Book and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2021 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 