---

Morning Prayer, Christmas Day 25 Dec 2020

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

Opening

We praise you, gracious God,
for the glad tidings of peace, the good news of salvation:
your Word became flesh, and we have seen his glory.
Let the radiance of that glory enlighten the lives of those who celebrate his birth.

Reveal to all the world the light no darkness can extinguish, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke2:11)

__________
(Luke 1:68-79) Dawning Light Of Our Salvation – (Wendell Kimbrough & Hope College Worship)

1. Long in darkness Israel wandered; Long in mortal shadows, we
Walked in bondage and self-pity, Trod in paths of sin and grief.
In the prophets’ words He told us, Long the God of Israel spoke;
He alone in strength would save us From the hands of all our foes.

Every valley be exalted! Every mountain be made plane!
Crooked ways repent and straighten; All creation bend in praise!

2. He shall raise a mighty Savior; Born of David’s lineage, He
Comes in cov’nant love to claim us From our sins to set us free.
Light to those who dwell in darkness Life to those from death who flee
Joy unto the earth, and gladness, To your pathways dawning peace!

Every valley be exalted! Every mountain be made plane!
Crooked ways repent and straighten; All creation bend in praise!

3. Jesus, Lord, and mighty Savior, David’s Son and yet his King,
Dawning light of our salvation, Of your saving pow’r we sing!
Stand, Oh lame, and dance ye broken, Know the Savior’s healing grace;
Come, Oh deaf and hear him singing; Turn, Oh blind, behold his face!

Every valley be exalted! Every mountain be made plane!
Crooked ways repent and straighten; All creation bend in praise!

__________

A Reading from the Prophets: Isaiah 62:10-12 (ESV)

 10 Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12 And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.

__________

In the Bleak Midwinter – Keith & Kristyn Getty

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Glory to God – Hillsong – Christmas

__________

Prayer: Psalm 97:1,6,9-12 – The Lord Reigns

97 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

__________

Joy To The World – for King & Country

https://youtu.be/kzqsa6wTzLE?rel=0
__________

Closing – Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

__________

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