“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Entrance Antiphon:
The Lord said to me: You are my Son.
It is I who have begotten you this day. Psalm 2:7
or
Let us all rejoice in the Lord,
for our Savior has been born in the world.
Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.

Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. Is. 9

“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Luke 2

On this holy night, gathering in darkness, a choir sings the songs of our faith.
There is something altogether tangible in air:
a gathering energy, special clothes, and that music which
sings out the true meaning of this feast.
A church fuller than it usually ever is, testifies to our hunger for
the good news of this blessed evening.
Everything we believe about the mystery of darkness and light,
death and life, the grand and the small, are summed up tonight.

Let us celebrate Christmas tonight with abandon.
Let us be drawn into its wonder and joy.
Let us pray for the gift of peace.

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Christ Jesus emptied himself and took the form of a slave.
He was tested like us in all things and did not sin.
Now let us worship him and pray to him with deep faith.
    By the power of your birth, comfort those who are saved.

You came into the world heralding the new age foretold by the prophets,
- give your holy people the gift of renewal in every generation..

You once took on the weakness of our human condition,
- be light now for those who do not see, strength for the wavering
and comfort for the troubled heart.

You were born into poverty and lowliness,
- look with favor on the poor and comfort them.

By your birth bring joy to all peoples with the promise of unending life,
- give joy to the dying through the hope of heavenly birth.

You came to earth to lead everyone into the Kingdom,
- share your life of glory with those who have died.

Closing Prayer:
It seems like the darkness has lasted so long
and now in the silence of this night
I feel with a deep joy, the breaking light of your presence.

Welcome, Lord!
Welcome to this earth and into our lives in this new way.
I have longed for you to come into my life
and to be with me here in this life - and you are.
And I feel a hint of the pure happiness and peace
that awaits us in your glory.
My heart bursts with joy
and my feet dance with abandon.

You have come! Thank you!

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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Creighton U. Online Ministries Home Page | Christmas Home Page

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Entrance Antiphon:
Today a light will shine upon us;
for the Lord is born for us;
he will be called Wonderous God,
Prince of peace, Father of Future Ages:
and his reign will be without end.
(Isaiah 9:1, 5; Luke 1:33)

Collect: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith which illumines our minds may also shine through in our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. *

Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:
A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

As we are gathering for our Christmas celebration this morning,
the story of the shepherds reminds us that the good news is for the poor.
As we arrive, dressed in our Christmas finest,
let us remember that the good news is address to what is poor in us.
Jesus comes in poverty so we will always know that we are never alone,
even when we are overwhelmed by fear, anxiety or any discouragement or disillusionment.

Let us sing this morning with hearts that are grateful,
glorifying and praising God.
And let us never forget the shepherds that he brought so much joy to,
as we accept our mission to bring joy to a world
hungering for justice and peace.

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me;

teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior. Ps. 25
 

Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
The Word of God existed before the creation of the universe
yet was born among us in time.
We praise and worship him as we cry out in joy.  
    Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come!

You are the eternal Word of God who flooded the world with joy at your birth,
- fill us with joy by the continuous gift of your life.

You saved us and by your birth revealed to us the covenant faithfulness of the Lord,
- help us to be faithful to the promises of our baptism.

You are the King of heaven and earth who sent messengers to announce peace to all,
- let our lives be filled with your peace.

You are the true vine that brings forth the fruit of life,
- make us branches of the vine bearing much fruit.

 

Closing Prayer:
My heart is filled with wonder
and my soul bursts with joy.
at your nearness to me, dear Lord.

As the dawn rises, so do my spirits
and I sense your presence in this jubilant light.
I feel like one of the shepherds in your presence,
humble and so very aware of my poverty
but so willing to spread the joyful news.

I just want to sing out, Lord.
My voice is rising and my soul is opening up to you.
Thank you for coming into my very poor life.
I feel joy and hope and love.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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Creighton U. Online Ministries Home Page | Christmas Home Page

Daily Prayer

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Entrance Antiphon:
A child is born for us,
and a son is given to us;
his scepter of power rests upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel. (Isaiah 9:5)

Collect: O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and still more wonderfully restored it, grant, we pray, that we may share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.*

Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God. John 1

We plan to celebrate the family Christmas morning, with our traditional customs,
perhaps with a Christmas tree gift sharing with the children.
When we come to church to celebrate our faith together,
there is a different feel than midnight Mass or even an early
morning Mass.
Still, the choir draws us in immediately.
We look at each other and smile and we see the bright eyes of
the elderly and single friends around the community.
We know why we are here, and it is easy to join in the singing.

Let us give thanks today. Let us repeat the sounding joy of a faith-filled Christmas.
Let's go forth to share glad tidings with our family and friends.
Let's help our Lord usher in an age of justice and peace,
beginning in our our hearts this day.

Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various way to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. Hebrews 1

Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
At the birth of Jesus, angels proclaimed peace to the world.
We worship him now with joy, and we pray with hearts full of faith:
    May your birth bring peace to all.

Lord, fill your holy people with whatever good they need,
- let the mystery of your birth be the source of our peace.

You came as chief shepherd and guardian of our lives,
- let the pope and bishops be faithful channels of your many gifts of grace.

King from all eternity, you desired to be born within time
and to experience the day-to-day life of men and women,
- share your gift of unending life with us, weak people doomed to death.

Awaited from the beginning of the world, you came only in the fullness of time,
-now reveal your presence to those who are expecting you.

You became one of us and gave new life to our human condition in the grip of death,
-now give the fullness of life to all who have died.

Closing Prayer:
This day feels so different already, dear Lord.
You promised the glory of this day by the birth of Jesus.
So humble, so simple, such a complete act of love.

Make me one of your people of the light
and help me to be faithful to your word.
I am filled with the joy of the world
and ask you to fill my heart
with a longing for your justice and peace.

My savior - you are here with me on this day,
bringing life to the waiting world.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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