1. |
Opening and Dialogue
03:54
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We are exiled in the desert – please send rain.
We are lost, deep in the forest – keep the hungry wolves away.
We are drifting through the aisles of a store at half past eight,
just trying not to cry, but not sure why.
You were tempted in the desert, forty days.
You were baptized in the Jordan, with the salt and silt and clay.
You were there before Creation, you will always remain.
You are Alpha and Omega.
Come, oh come, Emmanuel
Oh come, and stay with us
We are aching from the journey – grant us rest
We are weary from insisting that a loss is not a test
We are sleeping at the wheel with an airbag in our chest;
the hazard lights are blinking on and off.
You’re a single cell dividing in the womb
You’re a tidal wave of hormones making Mother Mary swoon
You are planted in this planet, in the Garden, in the tomb
You are one man, you are everything.
Come, oh come, Emmanuel
Oh come, and stay with us
- - -
We are waiting for a savior.
We are waiting, one and all.
You are holy, you are human.
You are infinite and small.
We are rooted in the past.
We are flowing forth, like water.
You are then and now and always.
You are the story and the author.
Come, oh come, Emmanuel!
Come, and stay with us.
Amen.
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2. |
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O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of high Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
there the dear Christ enters in.
One brown nose sticking out of swaddling clothes
One toe tickled by a curious goat
One cry in the middle of the night
One child bringing us eternal life
Jesus Christ the guiding star
A flame that cannot be diminished
The harp is tuned, the scroll is unfurled
The song of hope is never finished
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
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3. |
Thanksgiving Prayer
00:40
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Precious Jesus,
You are the Word, spoken before all languages. You are the light, sparked before all flames. You are the melody, sung before all songs. You are and you were and you will be, yet you came to us as a fragile infant in a war-torn land. You understood the promise of heartbreak, yet you chose to live among us. We give you thanks, O God, for your spirit of bold and boundless love. In your name--the name before all names--we pray.
Amen.
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4. |
Psalm 143
03:25
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Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love.
I have put my trust in you,
show me where to go.
Rescue me from enemies;
I hide myself in you.
Teach me how to do your will,
for you are my God.
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5. |
Follow the Star
02:40
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6. |
Christ Is Close
02:31
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A voice echoes on the Jordan:
"Christ is close as night to day—
turn away from sin and secrets.
The potter comes to us as clay!”
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Wakened by the prophet’s message,
in the twilight we arise;
God the parent waits beside us
for their child to arrive.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Christ, the savior long expected,
comes with mercy down from heaven.
Tears of joy and sorrow mingle
as one and all are forgiven.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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7. |
Readings and Dialogue
02:26
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A reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1:
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be[e] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
- - -
A reading from the letter of Revelation, chapter 5:
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed[a] with seven seals; 2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb...
- - -
Holy God, we hope for salvation on our terms and on our time.
We wait for a thundering host to crush our enemies, but an angel choir arrives.
We look for a Lion who will banish the wicked and silence our doubt.
Instead, we see a Lamb on the throne.
Help us to entrust our hope in you, as you upend our expectations.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, King Jesus! Save us, gentle child.
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8. |
Magnificat
03:28
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My soul magnifies the Creator.
My spirit rejoices in God’s name,
for God has looked down on this lowly handmaiden.
My heart has a song to proclaim.
Praise God’s name in the highest!
Praise God’s name in the highest!
Praise God’s name!
Future generations will call me blessed;
the Redeemer has done great things for me.
God will show mercy to those who show honor—
all faithful who were and will be.
Praise God’s name in the highest!
Praise God’s name in the highest!
Praise God’s name!
My Holy Mother has shown Her arm’s strength;
my Holy Father has softened hard hearts.
God has cast down the proud from their thrones.
God has lifted up rulers from farms.
My God fills the hungry with good things,
my God shows the great they are small.
My God will remember all promises.
Though I’m scared, I will answer this call.
Praise God’s name in the highest!
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9. |
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Jesus Christ, Emmanuel,
hear the prayers of your beloved:
joyful or burdened with grief,
brimming with faith or disbelief.
Lamb of God, have mercy.
- - -
Holy Child, we were not prepared to embrace a little child as the Ruler of All. You were exactly what we didn’t know we needed. Give us spirits of innocence, gentleness, and peace as we wait and watch for you. God, hear our prayer.
King of All Nations, we thirst for your justice to fill the earth. Cast down tyrants. Break the bow, shatter the spear, burn the shields with fire. Bring about an end to war and violence. God, hear this prayer.
We pray for nations descending into turmoil.
Protect little ones and families from danger and desperation, give aid to those fleeing, give compassionate reception to all who find themselves far from home. God, hear this prayer.
Precious Lord,
We pray for families all over the world missing someone they love in this festive season. We pray for the ones seated across an empty chair. Give us visions of your wonderful heavenly banquet to come where all are present and accounted for.
God, hear this prayer.
Healer of Our Every Ill,
We pray for all who are ensnared by the power of addiction. We pray for those suffering from any mental or physical illness. Raise up mighty helpers and advocates that can lead the vulnerable to new life. For those who are afraid, alone, or angry - send us to embody your love. God, hear this prayer.
God of Wonders,
We pray for you to give us eyes of faith that can truly see the beauty you are creating in the world. Help us to long for what would bring revival for all, not just a few privileged ones. Help us to hunger after your justice, which may create seismic changes in our lives to make room for more. God, hear this prayer.
Help us to thirst for your loving kindness and give it away freely, not worrying whether or not there will be enough for us. You are our brother, near to us in times of trouble. You are the Holy One in heaven, beyond our wildest imaginings. Give us humility and boldness.
God, this prayer.
Holy One, receive these prayers into your capable hands. Amen.
- - -
The Lord's Prayer
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10. |
Blessing
01:50
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May the God of wisdom bless you with perspective
May the God of Jacob wrestle with your doubt
May the Root of Jesse always keep you grounded
May the Dayspring bring refreshment with the dawn
May the Ruler of all nations judge with mercy
May you rest tonight like God in Mary’s arms.
God be with you, one and all
May God stay with us, one and all
God be with you, one and all
May God stay with us, one and all.
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Andy and Elise Pokel Minneapolis, Minnesota
Elise Pokel is a pastor, and Andy Pokel is a church musician. They share a joyful, musical, slightly chaotic home in
Minneapolis, MN with their two sons. They have more music available under the name "Foundry Hymnal" on all streaming services.
You can purchase scores for selected songs at thereverbcollective.com
... more
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