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I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God and Father of light,
a child is born to us and a Son is given to us.
Your eternal Word leaped down from heaven
in the silent watches of the night,
and now your Church is filled with wonder
at the nearness of her God.*
Open our hearts to receive His life
and increase our vision with the rising of dawn,
that our lives may be filled with His glory and His peace,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
- Traditional Roman Catholic Prayer
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 – 5 minutes)
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Scriptural Theme
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying John 1:1-14 (New International Version)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. *
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. *
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Response to the Scripture
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.
Draw near to God’s throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart
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The Spirit and the Bride say *
“Come!”
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
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Ending Prayer
What I beg for you beside the manger of the Infant Jesus is that he grant you the grace to grow more and more in affection for that holy vocation of yours which is so beautiful, *
for what can one do more pleasing to our Lord than to be always engaged in making him known and loved?
- St. Therese Couderc
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
( Adapted by Christ the Reconciler from Season 2: Christmas Bridge Prayer – “The Joy of Longing Fulfilled” )