Advent Meditations from Bishop White
Christmas Day
 | | Adoration of the Shepherds by Gerard van Honthorst |
Alleluia! Unto us a child is born.
Come Let us adore him. Alleluia!
Hymn
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Joy to the World
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Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7; 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matt 1:18-25
A Meditation
"Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!" proclaims the great hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful. This astounding Mystery is for us, to bring us comfort and joy, and to bring forth from us an astounding response that we will search diligently for this Holy Child in every person created in God's image. Let the angels' boisterous praises and the shepherds blessed puzzlement and Mary's quiet pondering all lead us to boldly proclaim the Incarnation in words and deeds that marvel and astound. Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Hymn
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O Come All Ye Faithful
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A Meditation continued
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, bestow upon you the fullness of peace and goodwill; and the blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you now and remain with you always.
Hymn
 | | O come, O come, Emmanuel |
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