Gathering
Song
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"Christ Be Our Light" (Bernadette Farrell, OCP Publications)
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| Leader |
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We come in joy to celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus the Christ.
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| All |
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We give thanks for this gift of love, given freely, given to all.
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| Reader 1 |
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Isaiah 11:1–5
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| Leader |
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Only a stump of the Davidic dynasty remains. It is from that mere stump that the Messiah, the Savior, is to come. God’s Spirit will rest upon him. Will our leaders today seek justice over vengeance?
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| All |
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As peacemakers, we pray for and urge just leadership.
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| Reader 2 |
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Isaiah 11:6–9
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| Leader |
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Such a peaceable kingdom is imaged here—predators and prey together in harmony. Can this vision be attempted in our world today?
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| All |
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As peacemakers, we must be the first to show the way.
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| Reader 3 |
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Luke 2:8–14
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| Leader |
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Our faith tradition tells us now is a season of peace and joy. In many ways, it seems more a time of unrest and sadness. How can we build a bridge between the two?
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| All |
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As peacemakers, we live in the light of Christ to overshadow the darkness.
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| Leader |
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We respond to the fulfillment of a promise. Jesus has come. Jesus brings light to the darkness of our world. Our belief strengthens us to be a light to others and to minister to those who remain in darkness.
We light our candles now, to acknowledge the power of light over darkness, to instill a greater hope within ourselves. We pray for courage to keep our own lights burning within us.
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(Leader lights own candle and then those of readers who will light the candles of participants.)
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| Group 1 |
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We share this light as we will commit ourselves to reach out to victims of violence.
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| Group 2 |
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May our light reflect the love we have for all people, everywhere.
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| Group 1 |
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We share this light to acknowledge our willingness to stand out from the crowd of indifference wherever we find injustice.
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| Group 2 |
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May our light reflect on the faces of those seeking justice.
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| Group 1 |
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We share this light to remember those who have gone before us using their gifts to improve the earth.
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| Group 2 |
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May our light reflect on children so they may learn from our example a sense of fair play.
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| Group 1 |
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We share this light to bring hope to believers and unbelievers alike.
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| Group 2 |
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May our light reflect the possibilities of peace.
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| All |
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Even though we extinguish these candles, we pray that the light of faith that we profess continues to shine in us, while reaching around the world. Amen.
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(Extinguish candles.)
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Closing
Song
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"Joy to the World"
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