Day 289 | Saturday, 2 January 2021

Day 289 - Audio Version

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Day 289 | Saturday, 2 January 2021

 We are winding down this Christmastide season as we approach Epiphany.

 A Christmastide beginning:
“Presents all unwrapped.  Batteries are all run-down.  Christmas trees are undecorated, and some are out by the curb.  Still, one present glows so bright – the Child in a manger with heavenly light.  Christmas continues the whole year round whenever love and kindness abound.  So, gather your wits and sing loud and strong.  Christmas continues, so raise up your song!”

 A Christmastide Invocation:
“God of manger and star open us to the depths and heights of your incredible love which comes through humble stories and glorious songs.  Speak to us in word and music and lift us to the realms of glory.  Amen”

 A Christmastide Prayer of Confession:
“O God, whose wondrous love took the form of a little boy: we confess, honestly and sadly, our great lack of love.  We fail to love the unlovely, because the effort seems foredoomed.  We forget that, in your sight, none of us is lovely.  We find it hard to love our loved ones without bending, manipulating our otherwise using them.  We forget that, with you, love means acceptance first.  And Lord, we suspect that we do not love even ourselves properly; and that the poverty of our love may reflect our failure to accept the riches of your love, offered to us, again and again, freely and gladly, in the form of that little boy.  Forgive us, merciful Lord, for his sake. Amen”

 A Christmastide Prayer
“Gracious God, by the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed the love you bear for your whole creation and opened to all the way of peace. For Jesus’ sake, make us bringers of peace in our homes and among our extended family and friends. Help ours be voices of reason and reconciliation in our neighborhoods, our workplaces and our communities. Strengthen us to reject every form of violence as a means to get even or to get ahead. Help us use whatever influence we possess to promote peace by working for justice and witnessing for Jesus, our Christ and King. Amen”

 “Sing We Now of Christmas” words: Traditional French Carol (Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 2:1-12)

 1.   “Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here!  Hear our grateful praises to the babe so dear. (Refrain) Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!”

2.   “Angels called to shepherds, ‘Leave your flocks at rest, journey forth to Bethlehem, find the child so blest.’ (Refrain) Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!”

3.   “In Bethlehem they found him; Joseph and Mary mild, seated by the manger, watching the holy child. (Refrain) Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!”

4.   “From the eastern country came the kings afar, bearing gifts to Bethlehem, guided by a star. (Refrain) Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!”
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5.   “Gold and myrrh they took there, gifts of greatest price; there was never a stable so like paradise. (Refrain) Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!  Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!”