Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
25 December 2008. Christmas Day. (White).
Acknowledgement of land
(An act towards reconciliation)
For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked
in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.
We acknowledge the (NN) People and their stewardship
of this land throughout the ages.
(NN) is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, gender, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Entry into worship
The gong is sounded three times
May the love and creativity that breathes life
into all humanity
and all of creation
All Be born in us today.
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit
On this Australian Christmas morning,
let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Hymn The people stand as they are able
"O come all ye faithful" (Tune: ‘Adeste Fideles’, Irreg. Tune: 304 TiS) 23 FSSC
O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold this child born of Mary.
Refrain:
O come, let us adore them;
O come, let us adore them;
O come let us adore them;
Mother and child.
Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all you messenger's of God's holy word.
Glory to God in-carnate, all glory.
Refrain:
Christ-child, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Born of the Woman Mary, glory given;
Word of creation, now in flesh appearing. (GPHaddon/adapt)
Refrain:
People remain standing
Opening sentences
On a gentle summer’s breeze, a peaceful Word is whispered,
All From the mountain tops, a triumphant Word rings out,
From the depths of the ocean comes the roar of a mighty Word,
All The birds sing out a joyous Word,
All of creation calls out the Word:
All Jesus the Christ is born today, Hallelujah. (www.mccchurch.org)
Prayer
We pray:
Days of bright sunlight, clear blue skies and sunbaked earth,
colourful birds,
fiery bottle brush,
pastel jacaranda,
the fragrance of each season beneath the Southern Cross...
We offer our praise and thanks,
for Creativity God is in our midst.
Amen.
Hymn "Carol our Christmas" (Tune: Reversi) 9 AA
Carol our Christmas,
an upside down Christmas;
snow is not falling and
trees are not bare.
Carol the summer, and
welcome the Christ Child,
warm in our sunshine and
sweetness of air.
Sing of the gold and the
green and the sparkle,
water and river and lure
of the beach.
Sing in the happiness
of open spaces,
sing a nativity summer
can reach!
Shepherds and musterers
move over hillsides,
finding, not angels,
but sheep to be shorn;
wise ones make journeys
whatever the season,
searching for signs of the
truth to be born.
Right side up Christmas belongs
to the universe,
made in the moment
a woman gives birth;
hope is the Jesus gift,
love is the offering,
everywhere, anywhere,
here on the earth. SMurray
The people sit
Welcome
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are worshipping at (NN) for the first time
or who have returned during this festive season
to be with family and friends.
Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
Lighting of the Christmas candle
Over the past four Sundays
we at )NN) have lit our Advent candles.
We light them again and remember...
the ways peace, hope, joy and love
are always brought to birth
in, through, and among, all creation.
Four candles lit
Last night we lit our Christmas Eve candles.
It was a time for memories and remembering.
To wonder and to give thanks…
And of quiet awakening to beauty
that still lives on through the strife of personal griefs
and an economically challenging world.
Now we come to light our Christmas candle.
It is a friendly candle.
It brings light and love
as we celebrate in the warmth of summer.
It is a candle of understanding which drives away fear.
It is a candle of truth.
It will lead one in unknown paths
to learn more about the mysteries of life.
All Once upon a time a baby was born
who taught us to love and understand one another.
And they called his name, Jesus.
The Christmas candle is lit
Presentation of the Christmas Bowl
Let us remember that without hope, people struggle to find their way.
The bowl is place near the candle
Hymn The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“You are born in us again” (Tune: ‘Dunstan’) 52 COC
You are born in us again
Like the warmth of the summer wind you come,
to melt away the icicles of vanity and pride;
you come to blow the very doors of loving open wide.
Like the warmth of the summer wind you come,
like the warmth of the summer wind you come.
You are born in us again
Like the scent of the summer rain you come,
You come to quench the thirsty and to freshen up the land;
you come to clean away the dust that settled in our hand.
Like the scent of the summer rain you come,
like the scent of the summer rain you come.
You are born in us again
Like the light of the summer sun you come,
to ive light to the places that have never seen the Son;
you come now to embrace us, you’re the holy, holy one.
Like the light of the summer sun you come,
like the light of the summer sun you come. MWilson
The people sit
CENTERING
Silence
Let us now claim some silence
in the midst of the busyness of our Christmas lives.
(Silence)
Hear and feel your quiet breathing.
Hear and feel the quiet of this place
and this community of people.
(Silence)
As we remember the birth of the one we call Jesus
we see that the love and peace which he spoke of
must be cherished, nurtured and defended
in every generation.
Source of Life and Love,
your presentness among us is a tiny light of hope
which will never be extinguished. (Adapt.DMcRae-McMahon)
(Silence)
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad religious tradition
A reading and a story from our broad religious tradition shall now be read.
Our reader is (NN).
A contemporary word
From "Hymn of the Universe"
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The prodigious expanses of time which preceded the first Christmas
were not empty of Christ:
they were inbued with the influx of his power.
It was the ferment of his conception
that stirred up the cosmic masses and
directed the initial developments of the biosphere.
It was the travail preceding his birth
that accelerated the development of instinct
and the birth of thought upon the earth…
And all this labor was set in motion by the active,
creative awakening of his soul, inasmuch as
that human soul has been chosen
to breathe life into the universe.
When Christ first appeared in the arms of Mary
he had already stirred up the world.
Gospel:
Luke 2: 8-20 (Inclusive Text)
In the countryside close by there were shepherds
who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch
their flocks during the night.
The angel of God appeared to them and the glory of God
shone around them. They were terrified, but the angel said ,
'Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy,
a joy to be shared by the whole people.
Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you who is the Christ.
'And here is a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'
And suddenly with the angel
there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing,
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace to all who enjoy God's favour'.
Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
‘Let us go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened
which God has made known to us.’
So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in the manger.
When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,
and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.
As for Mary, she treasured all these things
and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen.
It was exactly as they had been told.
Contemporary word
Silence for private reflection
CELEBRATING
A Christmas Day litany
The people stand as they are able
Celebrate this day, this Christmas day!
Shout Australia, our God is with us.
Christ is born!
All From Darwin and Melbourne,
Canberra and Kalgoolie,
let the story be told.
Let the carols be sung.
In the hot, dusty paddocks
where headers are stopped for the day,
let the music be heard;
All While the temperature soars at Broome and Coober Pedy,
and people crowd beaches
with surf board and sun screen lotion,
remember his birth.
Around the smoking barbecues
with the fragrant aroma of cooking food,
talk about the gift from God;
All By tables loaded with crisp salads
or roast turkey and plum pudding,
contemplate God's love in Christ.
Join the celebration, all human population -
late arrivals to the great south land!
Black people, make him your best corroborees!
Descendants of pioneers, sing your praise!
New Australians from Asia, Africa and Europe,
offer the heritage of your ancient ways!
All For to us is born this day a Saviour,
who is called the Christ!
Arise, and laugh, and dance, and sing
All for the Antipodes, too, have a glorious King! (Adapt.BPrewer)
The people remain standing to sing
The peace
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
The peace of God is here... to stay.
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
Hymn "Carol of the birds" 1FACC
Out on the plains the Brolgas are dancing
Lifting their feet like war-horses prancing:
Up to the sun the wood-larks go winging
Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.
Down where the tree-ferns grow by the river,
There where the waters sparkle and quiver,
Deep in the gullies bell-birds are chiming
Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.
Friar-birds sip the nectar of flowers
Currawongs chant in wattle-tree bowers;
In the blue ranges Lorikeets calling
Carols of bushbirds are rising and falling -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day. JWheeler.
The people sit
Conversation with the children
AFFIRMING
The offering Offerings to be presented
Our offerings to the Christmas Bowl shall now be received.
The presentation People stand as they are able , as the gifts are presented
We rejoice in the new world God is creating around us and with us.
May our gifts proclaim the way of Jesus
and strengthen a faithful people.
The people sit
Reflections and prayer
May we be blessed and healed for we come in love and in trust.
May we be blessed and healed for we come in love expectant hope.
(Silence)
Care candle
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and concerns shared.
Listening response
As one heart is lifted
All May we share its celebration
As one heart is burdened
All May we share the pain it knows (GVosper/wwg)
And so we take this flame and light our special care candle.
The Care candle is lit
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of God among us,
and to see new possibilities of the now.
Pastoral prayer
Lord's Prayer
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as that is appropriate
All Most compassionate Life-giver,
may we honour and praise you:
may we work with you to establish
your new order of justice, peace and love.
Give us what we need for growth,
and help us, through forgiving others,
to accept forgiveness.
Strengthen us in the time of testing,
that we may resist all evil.
For all the tenderness, strength and love are yours,
now and forever. Amen. (WWallace)
SCATTERING
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"God’s surprise" (Tune: Scarlet Ribbons) 46 (v1-2) HSNW
Who would think that what was needed
To transform and save the earth
Might not be a plan or army,
Proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
That a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Shepherds watch and wise men wonder,
Monarchs scorn and angels sing;
Such a place as none would reckon
Hosts a holy helpless thing;
Stable beasts and by-passed stranger
Watch a baby laid in hay:
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Remain standing
Words of mission
The God we worship is never confined to this holy place.
So go and travel with the God
who is found in ordinary and surprising places.
All And may we leave this place seeking
an uncharted and freely chosen way to wholeness,
knowing we have companions along the way. BWienecke
Words of blessing
Go in peace to claim the life of Christ within our midst:
and may the earth be warm under your feet,
the rain bring the gentle flowers
of the bush bright around you,
and the wind blows as the breath of the Spirit before you.
All Amen.
Hymn "God’s surprise" (Tune: Scarlet Ribbons) 46 (v3) HSNW
Centuries of skill and science
Span the past from which we move,
Yet experience questions whether,
Wth such progress, we improve.
While the human lot we ponder,
Lest our hopes and humour fray,
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day. © Iona Community
Recessional music
You are invited to keep this copy of the liturgy and take it home with you
to share with another member of your family, or with a friend.
I recommend the us of LicenSing - Copyright cleared music for churches.
Some resources that have helped shape this liturgy.
Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and songs for all churches. 1993. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Bell, J.; G. Maule. 1989. Heaven shall not wait. Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1. Revised edition. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Burgess, R. 2001. A book of blessings. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Carol our christmas. A book of New Zealand carols. 1996. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Haddon, G. P. 1994. Feminist sacred songs for christmas. CN: Scotland. Plus Publications.
Inclusive readings. Year A. 2006. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
McRae-McMahon, D. 2005. ‘Christmas Day liturgy’. Special resources. UCA.
Vosper, G. 2008. With or without God. Why the way we live is more important that what we believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins.
Wallace, W. L. 1981. Something to sing about. Hymns and reflections in search of a contemporary spirituality. Vic: Melbourne. JBCE.
Wheeler, J. 1948. Five Australian christmas carols. GtB: London. Chappell & Co.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Metropolitan City Churches. <www.mccchurch.org/Resources/Worship>
Bruce Prewer Web Site. VIC: Bendigo.