Liturgy and Prayers - Thursday, 24 December 2020 – Christmas Eve, Year B

Liturgy in one document: Christmas Eve Liturgy in One Document

Opening sentence

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them. (Isa 9:2 TEV)

OR

Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you:
you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
(Luke 2:10-12 NRSV)

Prayer of the day - (Collect):

Traditional

O God, since you have made
this most holy night
shine with the brightness of the true Light:
Grant that as we have known on earth
the mysteries of that Light,
we may also come
to the fullness of his joys in heaven;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Modernised Traditional

Alternative

(Let us pray for full life through Christ. [silence])

Loving Father,
you sent your only Son into the world
so that we might have life through him.
May we who celebrate his birth
on this most holy night
come at last to full life in your heavenly kingdom;
where he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

 

New

(Let us pray for true Christmas joy. [silence])

Lord God,
we thank you for making this holy night shine
with the true light of your Son.
As we celebrate his birth as a human child,
fill us with the joy of heaven.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia, alleluia.
I am bringing you good news of great joy:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
who is Christ, the Lord. Alleluia.
Alleluia.

Prayer after the Gospel

The words ‘Light of the world’ could be added to the gospel acclamations, giving:
Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.
Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.

Prayer after the Gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ (, Light of the world).
Lord Jesus, thank you for being born a baby in Bethlehem.
Help us always to give glory and praise to God.
Amen.

Offering Prayer

Lord, help us to take the angel’s message to heart,
and to realise that the birth of Jesus our Saviour
is good news for us and for all people.
Lead us to give glory to you
by a life of joyful service
to you and to other people.

Amen

Prayer of the Church

Prayer points

  • There are three other variations on the Prayer of the Church which you may wish to consider:

    Prayer of the Church – Litany of Intercession, Christmas

    Prayer of the Church – Children’s Christmas

    Greeting and Prayers – Christmas Lessons and Carols

  • This year, Christmas may be a difficult time for many as we wrestle with the challenges of 2020. The following prayer petition was written by Bishop John Henderson. You may wish to include it in the Prayer of the Church, or combine it with the liturgy and prayers provided here, as a separate rite or moment in the service.

    O Lord our God we ask for faith and wisdom to trust you and to know what is right. We are grateful for your protection this year and praise you for the mercy which with you comfort and console us in our need. But please, save us from selfishness and pride. May we truly come to love others as you do. We pause now to pray for all those who suffer extreme pain or are close to death because of COVID-19 and the many other diseases that afflict us in this world. We remember people without access to health care, who are isolated from their families and loved ones, and all those who suffer. We remember the victims of abuse and violence. Please be gracious to your people. We ask you for loving hearts and generous hands that reach out to those in need. Help us challenge injustice where we see it, knowing that your love overcomes all evil. Fill us with so much joy this Christmas that all our fears are banished, and we have the faith and courage to reach out into all the world with your love. In Christ our Lord, Amen.

Additional Prayer Points

LCA International Mission

Services with Holy Communion:

Preface

It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You have revealed your glorious presence to us
in a new way
through the mystery of the Word made flesh,
so that as we see you in your Son,
we are drawn to love you
whom we cannot see.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:

Communion Invitation

Jesus says: ‘I am the living bread
that came down from heaven.
The bread that I will give you is my flesh,
which I give so that the world may live.’
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

Prayer after Communion

Loving Father,
you sent your only Son into the world
so that we might have life through him.
May we who have celebrated his human birth
in this most holy sacrament
come at last to full life in your heavenly kingdom;
where he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Dismissal

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
Christ the Son of God give you joy and peace by his presence with you; . . .

DISMISSAL

Go in peace, and live in the joy of Christmas.
Thanks be to God.

OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.