Note: COCU relates to a way of coding for the lectionary year.
Readings
Isaiah 9:2-7
God offers a sign of God’s grace and protection to the King and people of Judah – in the darkness light shines, and the birth of child is the sign of new life and of God’s righteous kingdom to be established.
Psalm 96
A song of praise for God’s greatness and glory, anticipating God’s coming as righteous judge.
Titus 2:11-14
Through Christ God’s grace has appeared and God has enabled us to live lives of goodness.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for the Emperor’s census, and while there Mary gives birth to her son. Shepherds are told by angels about the birth and find the place where the holy family is to be found, telling the story of what they have been told about the child.
(RCL readings summaries by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Christ of the cosmos, living Word,
come to heal and save.
Incognito, in our streets,
beneath the concrete,
between the cracks,
behind the curtains, within the dreams,
in ageing memories, in childhood wonder,
in secret ponds, in broken hearts,
in Bethlehem stable, still small voice,
Word of God, amongst us.
(Source: Brian Woodcock & Jan Sutch Pickard, Advent readings from Iona)
A sung communion liturgy for Christmas Eve
Music:
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Susan Wickham)
