Carols & 5 Lessons At St Mary’s 13/12/2020

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

The Bidding Prayer     

Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, let us prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning.

Let us hear, in lessons from Holy Scripture, how the prophets of Israel    foretold that God would visit and redeem his waiting people.

Let us rejoice, in our carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled.

Let us celebrate the promise that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will bring all people and all things into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom. The blind receive their sight, and   the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.

But first, let us pray for the world which God so loves, for those who have not heard the good news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who      walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that it may be freed from all evil and fear, and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer to God, in the words which Christ himself taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation , but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson

Old Testament Dramatised Reading

CAROL O Come, O Come Emmanuel

The Second Lesson

The Angel Gabriel visits Mary

Luke 1.26-38

CAROL The Angel Gabriel

The Third Lesson

Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus

Matthew 1.18-25

 CAROL Silent Night

The Fourth Lesson

The Angels appear to the Shepherds

Luke 2.8-20

CAROL Hark the Herald

The Fifth Lesson

John tells of the mystery of the Incarnation

John 1.1-14

CAROL Oh Come All Ye Faithful

The Lord bless you and watch over you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look kindly on you and give you peace; and the blessing of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you from this day and forever more.

CAROL Joy has Dawned