PRAYERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE OT

PRAYERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE  OT

Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

    on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as people exult when dividing plunder.

4 For the yoke of their burden,

    and the bar across their shoulders,

    the rod of their oppressor,

    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors

    and all the garments rolled in blood

    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For a child has been born for us,

    a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

    and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His authority shall grow continually,

    and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

    He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

    from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Come, O come

Wonderful Counselor

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We seek the the light of truth

in a world darkened by lies

Everywhere we turn 

Shadows of falsehood 

lie upon our path

Shine upon us

so we may walk in your ways

and follow your wisdom

to light and life

Come, O come

Mighty God

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We seek your Holy Light

in a dark and pagan world

where the gods of wealth and greed

that consume our hearts and minds

hiding treasures where thieves break in

Shine down upon us

that we may give of our bounty

so that the hungry may feast

and the homeless be warm

Come, O come

Everlasting Father

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We search for justice

in a time when evil sometimes triumphs

and good is trodden underfoot

where the innocent are persecuted

and the righteous are abandoned

Shine down the glory of The Lord

so that the prisoners will go free

the oppressed know liberation

and the bells of justice ring

Come, O come

Prince of Peace

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We cower amidst war and destruction

where widow and orphan

hide in fear

and the bullet and the bomb

fall down upon so many 

Shine down the light of Shalom

so that the bow may be broken

and the sword turned into plows

and we shall learn war

nevermore

Come, O come

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Shine your light upon us

Amen

NT

Luke 2:8-20

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

We have been waiting

on hillside and country lane

city street and rustic highway

Waiting to hear the Good News

to hear that our long night is over 

that the child born in the night 

breaks the darkness with glorious light

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

Sing the Glory of God

Help us lift our voices

to join the heavenly chorus 

singing praise to our God

The God who lifts the lowly 

and bends the mighty

feeds those who hunger

and gives sight to the blind

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

Sing a song of Peace

Quiet the guns

still the sounds of war

and build highways of joy

O Prince of Peace

reign in our hearts

and dwell in our souls 

so we may be brothers and sisters

to all

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

Hallelujah 

Amen