Preparation

Opening response

Favor us, Lord, and deliver us.
Lord, come quickly and help us.

I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will talk about all your wonderful acts.

Psalm 9:1

Praise

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

from Gloria in Excelsis

The Word of God

Psalm 87

Refrain:
The Lord has chosen Zion for himself.

God’s foundation is set on the holy mountains.
The Lord loves Zion’s gates
    more than all of Jacob’s houses combined.
Glorious things are said about you,
    the city of God!
I count Rahab and Babel among those who know me;
    also Philistia and Tyre, along with Cush—
    each of these was born there.
And of Zion it is said:
    “Each person was born in it,
    but the one who will establish it is the Most High.”
The Lord makes a record as he registers the peoples:
    “Each one was born there.”
And while they dance, people sing:
    “The source of my life comes from you.”

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain:
The Lord has chosen Zion for himself.

Psalm prayer

Lord, as you call us to your city
founded on the rock of ages,
let the springs of living water
rise within us to eternal life;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Scripture reading
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.

A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
    and authority will be on his shoulders.
    He will be named
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be vast authority and endless peace
    for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
    establishing and sustaining it
    with justice and righteousness
    now and forever.

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people who have pure hearts,
because they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns

The church, especially in places of conflict
The Holy Land, for peace with justice, and reconciliation
Refugees and asylum seekers
Homeless people
Families with young children

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God,
who stooped to raise fallen humanity
through the child-bearing of blessed Mary;
grant that we, who have seen your glory
revealed in our human nature
and your love made perfect in our weakness,
may daily be renewed in your image
and conformed to the pattern of your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Collect of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Lord’s Prayer

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, as our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.

Conclusion

May the grace of Christ our Savior be with us all.
Amen.