Litany For Christmas Sunday

The reading below may be read at the beginning of worship after the gathering and before the Hymn of Entrance.

Leader: Christmas, a day of celebration … a day of remembrance. God the Son became flesh and came to dwell among humans.

People: Help me, Lord, to remember him this coming Christmas Day. Amidst the presents and people, let me see Him. Leader: His coming was prophesied in the Old Testament. For centuries humankind had been eagerly awaiting the Messiah's arrival. They prayed for it and talked about it endlessly. They anticipated this glorious day as the beginning of their deliverance. People: Keep us from being disillusioned this Christmas. We sing carols, decorate trees, shop for gifts, and eagerly await for the day to arrive. It finally comes, only to be over too soon. Open our eyes, Lord, to a deeper understanding of the Advent. May we remember that the coming of the Christ child was not the end but the beginning. To celebrate his coming is to look forward to his work in the world. Leader: His birth took place in a stable, yet he was born a King. He was wrapped in common cloth, yet acclaimed as one uncommonly born. He was fragile, weak, a typically dependent baby; yet he was the Son of God. People: Jesus is the Christ of Christmas and the cross. His greatest gift was his own life, which he willingly laid down on the cross. With each bow and box, ribbon and wrapping, may we think of this greatest gift and be thankful. His common birth is a sign of our common heritage in him. For there is no one too great or too lowly that they cannot be touched by the love of God found in him. He has become the meeting point for all humankind. Leader: Heaven touched earth in one great angelic chorus. The rejoicing of the heavenly host was displayed before some shepherds near the city. The Lord himself sent forth the word that His Son had been born. People: Those who cared for the temple sheep were the first to see the true Lamb of God. They came and found him just as they were told. Heavenly Father, thank You that we have found Him, too, just as you said we would. That is why we are here together as Christ's church. Leader: Let us make a place for him this Christmas. He is not to be a casual observer of the festivities. He is the guest of honor! Let us give him the highest place! Let us ascribe all glory due his name! People: For He, who was born of a virgin, is truly God the Son. He became fully human that his death might fully pay for sin. He rose from the dead and today we declare that the Christ of Christmas ascended to the right hand of God. He rules over his church. He sent the Spirit to baptize our hearts, and one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord! To each other we say "Merry Christmas!" To him we say, "Glory to God in the highest! For you have come and set us free."