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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
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.*
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come.
- JRR Tolkien
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 – 5 minutes)
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Scriptural Theme
This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying Matthew 3:13-17 (New International Version)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" *
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. *
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Response to the Scripture
Father God, we would not know you but that You revealed yourself to us. We agree with the testimony of Heaven that Jesus is your true and divine son. Through him and by him we can know you, love you and approach you with confidence.
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. *
This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
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Ending Prayer
My lowly heart His manger bed
A place to lay His royal head,
Amidst the brokenness and strife
of my confused and empty life.
To bring His light, His hope, His gain
Into my life of guilt and pain,
To conquer all my fear and dread,
To come and be my Heavenly Bread.*
To shine His light on all that's true,
To feed and fill and make me new,
To give His Body for my own,
Flesh of His flesh, bone of His bone.
- Pat Bailey
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” )