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
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