Christmas Prayer Service- 2020
Introductory hymn or a bhajan
Leader: We are in the most difficult moment of our life. On this day we celebrate the Love incarnate. Even in the darkest moments, love fills us with hope. Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far. Love compels us to give and act as one. Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before.
As we pray in our community – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family. So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.
All: (can be sung)
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Leader: The passage from the letter to the Hebrews ends with: “…but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son”. St Paul enlightens us further when he says: “When the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.” With this God was to enter completely into the very fabric of our lives. We now listen attentively to a reading from St Matthew.
Reading: Matt 1: 18-25
Response: I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
Res-
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.’”
Res-
The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
Res-
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
Res-
Reflections:
This Christmas is likely to be different for us all, not least in the way we gather, prepare and celebrate with children, young people and families in our communities. This Christmas is something unique and special to all. Our world today presents us with many reasons to lose hope amidst the pandemic. When we look around us, we see pain and suffering everywhere.
On the Christmas Eve in 1914, in the thick of World War I. British, French and German forces hunkered down on their respective sides during a lull in the fighting — undoubtedly frightened about what might come next. Suddenly, soldiers on one side heard singing of a Christmas carol from the ranks of their foes. Nervously, some of the soldiers on the other side joined in, and eventually there was widespread singing of Christmas carols, and eventually exchanges of gifts and an impromptu soccer game.
If warring factions during a World War I battle can find a way to come together and celebrate Christmas, all of us today, despite the shadow of COVID-19, social, political and economic unrest can focus on the message of Christmas – God with us. May the peace of God rule in dreams of all those who are suffering with Covid-19, the human rights activists who are imprisoned and the farmers who are treated unjustly with the contentious Farm Laws. May their joys be fulfilled and their prayers be answered. May all have healing, health, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year.
Pause for personal reflection
Prayers
Response: Lord Jesus, your birth is our peace.
- Father, bless on this holy day the Church all over the world; at this critical time, may she light afresh in people’s hearts the lamps of hope, joy and peace. We pray the Lord. Resp –
- Father, your Son Jesus was everything to all came in contact with him. Lord make us sensitive to the people around us. May we be the eyes of the blind, the strength of the weak and the friend of the lonely. We pray the Lord. Resp –
- Father as we contemplate the wonder of your birth, stir in us the desire to cradle those who have nowhere to lay their head – the migrant labourers. So that together we may shake the boat of injustice done to them. Kindle our hearts to embrace the rejected and dispossessed. We pray the Lord. Resp-
- Father we pray for the elderly in our communities, families and around us, protect them during this health crisis. May they always receive the good help they need and enjoy good health and peace. We pray the Lord. Resp-
- Father, we pray for all who suffer from the coronavirus. May those who are infected receive the proper treatment and the comfort of your healing presence. May their caregivers, families and neighbours be shielded from the onslaught of the virus. We pray the Lord. Res/-
- Father, we pray for those who have lost their near and dear ones. May they find hope in the birth of your Son Jesus and grow deeper in relationship with you. We pray the Lord. Resp-
- Father, we pray for those who strive to find a cure for the virus. We pray that their work may conquer the disease and restore our society to wholeness and health. We pray the Lord. Resp-
- Father, we pray for those who have died due to the pandemic. Forgive their sins Lord, and grant them the eternal reward that you have promised in your Son. We pray the Lord. Resp-
You are welcome to add your prayers
Let us pray the Lord’s prayer together: Our Father…
Concluding prayer
Father, you make this day radiant with the splendour of Jesus Christ, our light. As we welcome him as Lord and true light, may the darkness that has surrounded us may be dispelled and the suffering people may find solace and comfort. May the birth of your Son fill the hearts of all with everlasting joy. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Hymn
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