“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who are weighed down from of old,
by slavery beneath the yoke of sin,
may be set free by the newness
of the long-awaited Nativity
of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Daily Meditation:
And they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
Oh, how wonderful it is that Joseph listened to God in his dream
and was not afraid to take Mary into his home.
God’s ways are not our ways.
Let us pray to be renewed and freed.
And, like Joseph, in being faithfully unafraid
to be open to our salvation.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1
Intercessions:
To the Lord Jesus Christ, judge of the living dead,
let us pray:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lord Jesus, you came to save sinners,
- protect us in times of temptation.
You will come in glory to be our judge,
- show in us your power to save.
Help us to keep the precepts of your law with the strength
of the Spirit,
- and to look forward in love to your coming.
You are praised throughout the ages; in your mercy help
us to live devoutly and temperately in this life,
- as we wait in joyful hope for the revelation of your
glory.
Closing Prayer:
Oh, Adonai, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.
Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, open my heart
which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.
I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth
and I want to follow you in caring for others.
Grant me the grace to see
how you shine your light on the poor
who have such a special place in your heart.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.