Thursday, November 23, 2017

Advent & Christmas at Home

Advent

Prayer for Light

Leader           Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.            (The sign of the cross may be made)
All                 Thanks be to God.

Leader           God be with you.
All                 And also with you.
Leader           Let us pray.
Kindle in our hearts, O Lord, the flame of love that is never overcome, that it may burn within us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its light we may have a vision of the holy city, where lives the true and eternal light, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Other prayers appropriate to use in place of the above can be found in the BCP, pp. 211-212).

The appropriate number of candles on the Advent wreath are lighted.  The household Grace follows, if this is mealtime.  The Bible Reading and discussion may occur during a meal or afterward.

Bible Reading
A passage of Scripture is read, using the scheme on the reverse side, or from the Daily Office readings
 (which can be found in the BCP, beginning on p. 937 (we are beginning Year Two).

The reading may be discussed.  The following simple format can be used:
v  Each person share a word, image or phrase from the passage that especially caught their attention and why they think it did so.
v  Each person shares some way in which the above touches their life.

Closing Prayers

Leader      The night is far spent, the day draws near.
All            Let us walk in the light while we have the light.
Leader      Maranatha.
All            Come, Lord Jesus.

Leader      Let us pray.

A time of free prayer of both intercessions and thanksgivings.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Peace
Advent Resources

The Blessing of an Advent Wreath

Bless, O Lord, our wreath of candles and greens, and, as we use it to mark the time from now to the celebration of your birth, guide us by its light to prepare our hearts to receive you again.  We pray in your holy Name.  Amen.

Setting Up the Crèche
v  Set up the nativity set sometime during the first three weeks of Advent.  Put only the animals in place to emphasize that this was first their home.  The shepherds could be nearby, and Mary and Joseph traveling toward Bethlehem.  Save both the baby and the wise men for later.
v  On the Fourth Sunday of Advent Mary and Joseph arrive and are placed in the set.
v  Christmas Eve add the baby Jesus; Christmas morning, the Shepherds.  Also get out the wise men and set them at a distance from the set, and, during the 12 days of Christmas, each day move them a bit closer until they arrive on the Eve of the Epiphany (January 5).

The Blessing of a Christmas Tree

The tree may be blessed before it is decorated by placing a single apple on it and recalling the story of Eden.

God of Adam and Eve, God of all our ancestors, we praise you for this tree.  It stirs a memory of paradise, and brings a foretaste of heaven.  Send your Child, the flower of the root of Jesse, to restore your good earth to the freshness of creation.  Then every tree of the forest will clap its hands, and all creation will bless you from these shining branches.  Bless this tree and the time we spend around it this holy season.  All glory be yours, now and for ever.  Amen.

Alternate Readings
If Forward Day by Day (the Daily Office Lectionary) is not used.

Week 1:  Isaiah’s Visions
           Isaiah 6:1-8; Isaiah 9:2-7; Isaiah 11:1-10; Isaiah 35:1-10; Isaiah 40:1-11
Week 2:  John the Baptist
           Malachi 3:1-4, Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-6, John 1:29-42
Week 3:  Abraham & Sarah; Elizabeth & Zechariah
           Genesis 12:1-4a; Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Luke 1:5-25; Luke 1:57-66; Luke 1:67-80
Week 4:  Mary & Joseph
           Luke 1:26-38; Luke 1:39-56

Gift Giving
What about spreading your gift giving out.  1st, a small gift on St. Nicholas Day; 2nd another gift or gifts on Christmas Day; 3rd one last gift on Epiphany (January 6).


Christmas Day through The Epiphany

Prayer for Light

Leader           Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.            (The sign of the cross may be made)
All                 Thanks be to God.

Leader           God be with you.
All                 And also with you.
Leader           Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Other prayers that can be used for the above can be found in the BCP, pp. 212-214 & pp. 237-238.

Bible Reading
A passage of Scripture is read, using the scheme on the reverse side, or from the Daily Office readings
 (which can be found in the BCP, beginning on p. 937 (we are beginning Year Two).

The reading may be discussed.  The following simple format can be used:
v  Each person share a word, image or phrase from the passage that especially caught their attention and why they think it did so.
v  Each person shares some way in which the above touches their life.

Closing Prayers

Leader      Joy to the world!
All            The Lord has come!
Leader      Jesus has been born for us.
People       Come let us adore him.

A time of free prayer may be had, encouraging both intercessions and thanksgivings.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Peace

Leader      The peace of Christ be always with you.
All            And also with you.



Christmas Resources

Alternate Readings

Christmas Eve/Day:  Luke 2:1-20 (can be divided 1-14 & 15-20)
Feast Days:
St. Stephen’s Day (12/26):  Acts 6:8—7:3, 51-60
St. John’s Day (12/27):  1 John 1:1-9
Holy Innocent’s Day (12/28):  Matthew 2:13-18
Holy Name Day (1/1):  Luke 2:15-21
Other Days:
John 1:1-14; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23; Luke 2:22-40; Luke 2:41-52
The Epiphany (1/6):  Matthew 2:1-12


The Blessing of a Home at Epiphany
Chalk is used (that may have been blessed at the Epiphany Service at Church) to mark the following on the door of the home:

           20   +   C   +   M   +   B   +   18
The C-M-B stand for both the legendary names of the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—and also the Latin words “Christus, mansionem benedicat” (“Christ, bless the house”).

Once the marking is done, all say this rhyme
Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar!
Though the spring seems very far,
Oe’r us has risen a star.
Though the cold grows stronger,
Now the days grow longer.
Though the world loves night,
Christ is born our light.

Then inside the home, the following blessing is said.
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence, Bless all who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love [to each other and] to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

A candle may be carried to each room in the house, incense burned, and water may be sprinkled in each room to further the blessing.

When all is complete, the Song of Mary may be said (BCP, p. 119).


Copyright © 2017 Epiphany ESourses, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843, www.epiphanyesources.com. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy for home or congregational use, with attribution 


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