Throughout the service, the people’s responses are in italics.
Prelude
The people stand for the Processional Hymn.
Processional Hymn #93 (Hymnal 1982) Angels from the Realms of Glory
Lucernaria for Christmas
The Advent Wreath and Christmas Candle are lit by an acolyte.
Blessed be God, One Holy and Undivided Trinity.
And Blessed be God’s Kingdom, Now and Forever.
The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.
The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.
And dwelt among us:
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity.
The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God, alleluia:
God has shone upon us, alleluia.
Song of Praise #96 Verse 1 Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high,
singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Collect for the Day
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The people sit.
A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah
For thus says the Ground of All Being: Sing aloud with joy for Jacob! Hail the Head of Nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘God, save your people, Israel’s remnant!’ For I will bring them from the lands of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth— the blind and the lame will be among them, along with expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return in vast numbers. They will return weeping and praying. I will guide them in my mercy. I will lead them beside streams of water, along level ground where they will not stumble. For I am forever a mother and father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”
Hear the word of the God of Israel, you nations, proclaim it on faraway shores: “The one who scattered Israel will gather it in, and watch over it as shepherds watch their flocks.” For God ransomed Jacob and delivered the people from strong foe. When the people arrive they will shout for joy on Zion’s heights, radiant over God’s goodness—over the grain, wine and oil, over the young of the flocks and herds. They will flourish like well watered gardens, and sorrow will be no more.
Then the young women will dance with joy, and the young men and the elderly will make merry. “I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, exchanging gladness for sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with the fat of the land, and my people their fill of the bounty,” says the Ground of All Being.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 84:1-8
How dear to me is your dwelling, *
O Lord of hosts!
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; *
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
The sparrow has found her a house *
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young;
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, *
my Sovereign and my God.
Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
They will always be praising you.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way!
Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb from height to height, *
and you, the God of gods, will reveal yourself in Zion.
Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your anointed.
A Reading from Ephesians
Praised be the Maker of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens! Before the world began, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless and to be full of love; God likewise predestined us through Christ Jesus to be adopted children—such was God’s pleasure and will—that everyone might praise the glory of God’s grace which was freely bestowed on us in God’s beloved, Jesus Christ.
From the time I first heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of the holy ones, I have never stopped thanking God for you and remembering you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Savior Jesus Christ, the God of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation, to bring you to a rich knowledge of the Creator. I pray that God will enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see the hope this call holds for you—the promised glories that God’s holy ones will inherit, and the infinitely great power that is exercised for us who believe.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
The Uncertainty Principle
by Kathleen Norris
We change it
by looking; what’s moving in the heart
or the farthest star,
and when people are true believers
we may know of the mystery
how it works
or if it does,
but not the two together.
Here at the abbey
bells confide the hour.
A scientist could tell
how crude
a means, how inexact
they are.
Time does not move,
the sky is not blue– the end
of the spectrum
and beginning of light–
it is all in us,
breathed in, let go.
Monks shift in their choir:
Stomachs, and the old floor
groan through the homily.
Here in the heart,
where the hours keep,
we are learning eternity
every step of the way.
The people stand and sing.
Gospel Hymn #114 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ According To Matthew
Glory to You, O Christ.
After Jesus’ birth—which happened in Bethlehem of Judea, during the reign of Herod—astrologers from the East arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the newborn ruler of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay homage.”
At this news Herod became greatly disturbed, as did all of Jerusalem. Summoning all the chief priests and religious scholars of the people, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they informed him. “Here is what the prophet has written: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, since from you will come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Herod called the astrologers aside and found out from them the exact time of the star’s appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, after having instructed them, “Go and get detailed information about the child. When you have found him, report back to me—so that I may go and offer homage, too.”
After their audience with the ruler, they set out. The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child lay. They were overjoyed at seeing the star and, upon entering the house, found the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and paid homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented the child with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their own country by another route.
The Gospel of Our Savior.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The people sit for the Homily.
The Homily
The people stand for the Affirmation of Faith
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Remain standing or kneel.
The Prayers of the People
We pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Celebrant: Most merciful and loving God, you have made this day holy by the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, and by the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Grant that we your people may enter with joy into the celebration of this day, and may also rejoice for ever as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please stand for the peace.
The Peace
The peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Offertory Hymn #107 Good Christian Friends Rejoice
Doxology
The Holy Eucharist
Please stand.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God. Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made. In the fullness of time bring us, with Stephen and Hilda and all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, 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 forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Hymn #84 Love Came Down at Christmas
Postcommunion Prayer
Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn #128 (Hymnal 1982) We Three Kings
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.