Litany for Christmas
This Litany for Christmas
grew out of the Prayers of the People that were part of the
2004 Christmas Eve services at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
in Port Townsend, Washington.
To me, the prayer is a great gathering: a remembering and
commending to God of all people on the day of Christ’s
birth. More about
responsive prayer.
In joy and thanksgiving at
Christ's birth,
(Leader's words in plain text.)
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
(People's responses in bold italic.)
We pray for all faithful people,
For all welcome
messengers of good news,
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
For the nations and their rulers,
For the corporations and their
executives,
For anyone with power over the
lives of others,
Let us sing to the Lord a new
song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
For those who defend the helpless,
For those who strive for
justice,
For those who work to find a
way to peace,
For all the world, and all who live in it,
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
For anyone suffering, sick, alone, afraid, or in any kind of
trouble. We pray especially for … [name those you want to
remember today].
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
For our own community, for friends, neighbors, and family, near
and far. We pray especially for … [name those you want to
remember today].
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
For those who have died. We pray especially for … [name those
you want to remember today] .
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
We offer thanksgiving for Mary's firstborn Son - good news of
great joy.
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. Before the eyes of all
the nations you sent your Son, the exact imprint of love itself,
to be our salvation. With the shepherds in the fields, let us go
now to Bethlehem, there to find Christ in our hearts, and in the
world. Amen.
Scriptural
references
The call, “Let us sing to the
Lord a new song,” comes from Psalm 96.
The refrain, “On earth peace,
good will among people,” as well as the reference to Mary’s
firstborn son as “good news of great joy” are from Luke 2.
The words “Your throne, O God,
is forever and ever” as well as other language in the closing
prayer are from the first chapter of Hebrews.
The idea for the phrase
“welcome messengers of good news,” as well as some language in
the closing prayer, come from Isaiah 52.
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