“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 sceptre of power rests upon his shoulder,
And his name will be called Messenger of great counsel.
Collect:
Almighty ever-living God,
Who in the Nativity of your Son
Established the beginning and fulfillment of all religions.
Grant, we pray, that we may be numbered among those who belong to him,
In whom is the fullness of human salvation.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
Today’s Readings - Lectionary # 204
Daily Meditation:
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! (Psalm 96)
Spirit of truth, steady my heart when voices around me grow confusing.
Keep me close to what is eternal, not swayed by passing shadows.
Let Your anointing teach me to remain faithful and firm in You.
Word made flesh, shine Your light into every corner of my life.
Dwell in me as grace upon grace, renewing what has grown weary.
Help me welcome You again today, full of wonder, trust, and hope.
Eternal Word, Light from the beginning, shine again in my heart today.
Keep me rooted in Your truth, that I may remain in You and walk in You
Intercessions
Christ, the splendor of his glory, image of his being, your word holds all creation in being, we ask you to give new life to our world through the Gospel.
-Beloved Son of God, hear us.
Christ, you were born into the world at the fullness of time to save mankind and to give freedom to every creature. We ask you to extend the liberty of our sonship in you to all people.
-Beloved Son of God, hear us.
Christ, born in Bethlehem in fulfilment of the Scriptures, we ask you to make your Church a notable example of poverty and simplicity.
-Beloved Son of God, hear us.
Christ, God, and man, we pray that people may recognize you as their Messiah and Savior.
-Beloved Son of God, hear us.
Closing Prayer
May your people, O Lord,
Whom you guide and sustain in many ways,
Experience, both now and in the future,
The remedies which you bestow,
That, with the needed solace of things that pass away,
We may strive with ever-deepened trust for things eternal.
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.