Praying Together 2021

228 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. May the peace of Christ be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Lucy was a young martyr whose name means ‘light’. Let us pray for the light of Christ. (pause) O God who sent light into our dark world, may our hearts be ready to welcome the light of the Saviour born for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 9:2, 6 Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows. For us a child has been born. A son has been given to us, and he will be our ruler. His names will be: Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE People who attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve will hear this scripture reading, proclaiming that a child has been born for us. The triumphant words of this scripture passage were used by the composer Handel in his famous Christmas oratorio called “Messiah”. People all over the world go to concert halls at Christmas time to hear performances of this work. Watch and listen to the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, as they sin g “For unto us a child is born”. You will recognise the words of the reading we have just heard. DISMISSAL May the light of Christ dwell in our hearts. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Monday St Lucy 13 December 2021 “Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light.”