Liturgy Bits for NL317 – Birth of Jesus

For more resources for this Sunday, please visit lectionary.wiki.

Prayer of the Day

For Advent and Christmas Eve 2024, Ascension is using the Advent candle lighting liturgy provided by Hope Publishing for Christ, Be Our Light (ELW 715), and our Prayer of the Day will be the prayer provided therein.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem, you are the hope for our hurting and broken world. We thank you, O God, for guiding us through this season of Advent, shining your light in the midst of our darkness. As your birth lit up the Bethlehem sky, continue to shine in our world by dispelling darkness, binding up the broken, and calling forth the faithful. On this holiest of nights, make us willing to welcome you as our Savior and Lord. We pray this in the name of our newborn king.
Amen.

Prayers of the People

For Christmas Eve, Ascension is using the prayers provided by Clergy Stuff in 2020-21, adapted and updated.

Let us pray.

God with us, Emmanuel, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.

A brief silence

The familiar story of your birth comes to us anew each year, O Lord. Awaken your light within us that it might shine through us to all with whom we interact. God of hope,
hear our prayer.

In the midst of celebration and excitement, may we seek out quiet moments where we can ponder the gift of your son. God of hope,
hear our prayer.

As animals made way for a baby’s bed, so creation graciously shares this planet with us. Make us responsible occupants and faithful stewards of the earth. God of hope,
hear our prayer.

Bless all who suffer with loneliness, illness or other difficulties on this night. Give your spirit’s healing presence to all who need it. We pray especially for those from our community who are receiving hospice care: Ruth Corbin and Larry Wusk. For what and for whom else do the people of God pray?
God of hope,
hear our prayer.

For all who are mourning the loss of loved ones this holiday season, we pray that they may find comfort in you. Assure them of your promise that all will be united in your eternal kingdom. God of hope,
hear our prayer.

Our eyes await the fulfillment of all your promises, the answer to all our prayers: your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, the newborn king.
Amen.