Song:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

REJOICE, REJOICE! O ISRAEL, TO YOU SHALL COME EMMANUEL!

O come, O Wisdom from on high who order all things mightily; to
Us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.

REJOICE, REJOICE! O ISRAEL, TO YOU SHALL COME EMMANUEL!

O come, O Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by your drawing
Nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark
Shadow put to flight.

REJOICE, REJOICE! O ISRAEL, TO YOU SHALL COME EMMANUEL!

O come, Desire of nations, bind in tone the hearts of humankind;
Make all our sad divisions cease, and be for us the king of Peace.

REJOICE, REJOICE! O ISRAEL, TO YOU SHALL COME EMMANUEL!

Psalm 80 (from Psalms For Praying by Nan C. Merrill)
Antiphon: Lord, make us turn to you;
let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Eternal Listener, give heed to your people,
You, who are our Guide and our Light!
You, who dwell amidst the angels,
shine forth into the heart of all nations!
Enliven your people with compassion
that peace and justice might flourish.

Restore us, O Holy One;
let your face shine upon us,
teach us to love!

Be our strength as we break down walls
that separate and divide;
let not fear pluck away the gifts
we would share.
Roll away the stones that become obstacles to growth,
to producing a bountiful harvest.

Receive our gratitude,
O Heart of all hearts!
Look upon us and see what
Love can do;

May those who have borne the fruit of love
radiate your Spirit into the world!
May we always walk and co-create with You;
receive the gratitude of our hearts,
as we share in the Great Plan!

Restore us, O Holy One!
Let your face shine upon us,
teach us to love!

Glory be to the Father . . .

Psalm 89
Antiphon: Let the clouds rain down the Just One,
and the earth bring forth a Savior.

The favors of the Lord I will sing forever;
Through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever".
In heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant;
Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for
all generation.

He shall say of me, "You are my father, my God, the Rock, my Savior."
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
And my covenant with him stands firm.

He shall receive a blessing from the Lord,
A reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him.
That seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

Glory be . . .

Reading: (Micah 5:1-4a)
Thus says the Lord:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
and the rest of his kindred shall return
to the children of Israel.
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the Lord,
in the majestic name of the Lord, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the eands of the earth;
he shall be peace.

LITANY OF THE INCARNATION
LEADER: O, God, the ruler of ages eternal,
you are without beginning or end;
Yet you choose to be born an infant in time.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

LEADER: O God, the invisible, you are the One
whom nobody has seen or can see;
Yet you assume the face of the Son of Mary.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

LEADER: O God, the all powerful, you hold the
mountains in the palm of your hand:
Yet you let yourself be wrapped in swaddling clothes.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

LEADER: O God, the eternal glory, innumerable angels acclaim you endlessly;
Yet you choose to be rocked to sleep by the songs of the daughter of David.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

LEADER: O God, the infinite. Heaven and earth cannot contain you;
Yet you rest in the arms of Mary.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

LEADER: O God, the perfect joy, you are the source of the happiness of heaven
and earth: Yet you cry like a little child.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

LEADER: O God, the eternal Word, you are the light of all created intelligence;
Yet you are laid in a manger and cannot even speak.

ALL: Praise to You, O Lord.

Our Father . . .

Prayer:
Loving God, guide us with your love as we await the coming of Jesus.
Keep us faithful that we may be helped through life in a spirit of joy
and trust and brought to salvation with Jesus and the Spirit forever and ever. AMEN