The 5th Day of Christmastide

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

Shepherds, tell us whom you have seen! Who has appeared on earth? ‘We have seen the newborn child and we have heard the choirs of angels praising the Lord. Alleluia.’

Morning Reading: Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.

Morning Reading: Luke 2:8-20 NLT

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Morning Prayer

In His loving kindness, God sent us Christ, the Prince of Peace. Let us therefore trustfully declare:

+ Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, accept our praise this Christmastide, as Your people celebrate Your saving love.
+ You promised a Savior to Abraham and his sons: this Christmas we welcome His coming into our midst.
+ May the Messiah bring salvation to the Jewish people and all who wait for Him in faith and in hope.
+ The birth of your Son was proclaimed by angels, preached by apostles, witnessed to by martyrs, celebrated in the Church: may the message of peace ring out again in our world.

Father, all-powerful and unseen God, You dispelled the shadows of this world when Christ, the true Light, dawned upon us. Look favorably upon us, Lord, and we will praise and glorify His birth as man. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

“Do Not Be Afraid” – JJ Weeks Band

Shepherd’s in the field | Cattle on the hill | Stars up in the sky like diamonds in the night. | Then an angel appears with a voice so clear | Peace on the earth | No need to fear | For unto you a child is born

Do not be afraid | Cause I bring good news | A Savior is born | God’s gift to you | Do not be dismayed | Cause help is on the way | A Savior is born today | Good news | Do Not Be Afraid

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The brilliant star shown bright to wise men in the night | they traveled far to see the long awaited king | In a manger full of hay born this Christmas Day | The name above all names let the whole world proclaim | That Christ is born

Do not be afraid | Cause I bring good news | A Savior is born | God’s gift to you | Do not be dismayed | Cause help is on the way | A Savior is born today | Good news | Do Not Be Afraid

Glory to God in highest | Peace on earth peace on earth

Blessing

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!