Tuesday, December 29, 2020

A time to remember the Martyrdoms of St. Thomas Becket and the Holy Innocents!

 



Good Evening Beloved Family Members!

Welcome to Take Care Tuesday. We are blessed to have two sets of lessons for the Feast of  St. Thomas Becket and The Feast of The Holy Innocents tonight from which to choose from. Our main focus this year is on the 850th commemoration of  the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket  or as he is sometimes known St. Thomas of Canterbury. The story of his martyrdom is featured in T.S. Eliot's play Murder in the Cathedral. We will use the liturgy for The Feast of the Holy Innocents. So let us begin with these quotes.

"I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace." ~ Thomas Becket

"A national culture, if it is to flourish, should be a constellation of cultures, the constitutes of which, benefiting each other, benefit the whole." ~ T. S. Eliot

"Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown." ~ Thomas Becket

"Better are the blows of a friend than the flase kisses of an enemy." ~ Thomas Becket

"All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown." ~ Thomas Becket

"Many are needed to plant and water what has been planted now that the faith has spread so far and there are so many people... No matter who plants or waters, God gives no harvest unless what is planted is the faith of Peter and unless he agrees to his teachings." ~ Thomas Becket


So let us begin by taking time for a moment of holy silence and holding sacred space for one another and those who are struggling with Covid-19. 


In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.


Howard Thurman

"When the song of the angels is stilled, 
 When the star in the sky is gone, 
 When the kings and princes are home, 
 When the shepherds are back with their flock, 
 The work of Christmas begins: 
 ...To find the lost, 
 To heal the broken, 
 To feed the hungry, 
 To release the prisoner, 
 To rebuild the nations, 
 To bring peace among brothers, 

 To make music in the heart." ~ Howard Thurman

"I will light candles this Christmas, Candles of joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage where fear is ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the year long." ~ Howard Thurman

"Listen to the long stillness: 
 New life is stirring 
 New dreams are on the wing 
 New hopes are being readied: 
 Humankind is fashioning a new heart 
 Humankind is forging a new mind 
 God is at work. 

 This is the season of Promise" ~ Howard Thurman

"Community cannot for long feed on itself; it can only flourish with the coming of others from beyond, their unknown and undiscovered brothers." ~ Howard Thurman

"Where refugees seek deliverance that never comesAnd the heart consumes itself as if it would live,Where children age before their timeAnd life wears down the edges of the mind,Where the old man sits with mind grown cold,While bones and sinew, blood and cell, go slowly down to death,Where fear companions each day's life,And Perfect Love seems long delayed.CHRISTMAS IS WAITING TO BE BORN:In you, in me, in all mankind." ~ Howard Thurman

The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh: A Litany for Peace

As we are together praying for Peace, let us be truly with each other.
Silence
Let us pay attention to our breathing.
Silence
Let us be relaxed in our bodies and our minds.
Silence
Let us return to ourselves and become wholly ourselves.
Silence
Let us be aware of the Source of Being common to us all and to all that is.
Silence
Evoking the presence of the Great Companion, let us fill our hearts with our own compassion—towards ourselves and toward all living beings.
Silence
Let us pray that all living beings realize that they are all nourished from the same Source of Life.
Silence
Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of needless suffering.
Silence
Let us pray that we may live in a way which will not needlessly deprive other living beings of air, water, food, shelter, or the chance to live in health.
Silence
With reverence for Life and with awareness of the sufferings that are going on around us, let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth.


Coventry Carol

Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
"Bye bye, lully, lullay"?


Herod the king, in his raging,
Chargèd he hath this day
His men of might in his own sight
All young children to slay.

   That woe is me, poor child, for thee
   And ever mourn and may
   For thy parting neither say nor sing,
   "Bye bye, lully, lullay."



Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign.
Christina Rossetti


Jeremiah:
"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."



Tread softly! All the earth is holy ground.
Christina Rossetti


Born in a stable,
Cradled in a manger,
In the world His hands have made,
Born a stranger.
Christina Rossetti


Christmas hath a darkness; 
Brighter than the blazing noon; 
Christmas hath a chillness
Warmer than the heat of June, 
Christmas hath a beauty
Lovelier than the world can show: 
For Christmas bringeth Jesus, 
Brought for us so low
Christina Rossetti



God as we make vigil and pray we take time to quiet ourselves and enter into your holy presence.

God we light our candles in solidarity with refugees, visitors, and all people who are coming to this country for varying reasons. Help us to be welcoming without being fearful and needing to be divisive and indifferent. Help us to practice radical hospitality with compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy.




Light of the World Phos hilaron

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days


THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES- Anonymous

Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:

We light this candle of remembrance.

For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:

We light this candle of consecration.

May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.

Lancelot Andrewes: Be All To All

We bring before You, O God:
the cries of the weary,
the pains of the distressed,
the tears of the tragedies of life,
the anxious hours of the insecure,
the restlessness of the refugees,
the hunger of the oppressed.
Dear God, be near to each.
Helper of the helpless,
Hope of the homeless,
The Strength of those tossed with tempests,
The Haven of those who sail:
Be all to all.
Be within us, to strengthen us;
without us, to keep us;
above us, to inspire us;
beneath us, to uphold us;
before us, to direct us;
behind us , to propel us;
around us, to sustain us.
Be all to all in present need.
++++

From the Arusha Call to Discipleship:
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life in all its diversity and beauty. Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we praise you that you came to find the lost, to free the oppressed, to heal the sick, and to convert the self-centred. Holy Spirit, we rejoice that you breathe in the life of the world and are poured out into our hearts. As we live in the Spirit, may we also walk in the Spirit. Grant us faith and courage to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus: becoming pilgrims of justice and peace in our time. For the blessing of your people, the sustaining of the earth, and the glory of your name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.


As we must always do on these occasions we must remember the Holy Innocents who remind us of everyone who is in danger, genocide, and exclusion . Let us remember in prayer and scripture.

God we continue in the words of the African Proverb: "IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." Speak the names of those in transition and who have died:



I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.Jeremiah 31:13
It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from humanity as first fruits for God and the Lamb.
Revelation 14:4


Prayers from Howard Thurman from Prayers of Today (Harvard Square Library)

I LAY BEFORE YOU

The concern which I lay bare before You today is:

Whatever disaffection there is between me and those who are or have been very close to me— I would seek the root or cause of such disaffection, and with the illumination of Your mind, O God, to understand it.

I give myself to Your scrutiny that, whatever there may be in me that is responsible for what has happened, I will acknowledge.

Where I have wronged or given offense deliberately or without intention, I seek a face-to-face forgiveness.

What I can undo I am willing to try; what I cannot undo, with that I seek to make my peace.

How to do these things, what techniques to use, with what spirit— for these I need and seek Your wisdom and strength, O God.

Whatever disaffection there is between me and those who are or have been very close to me, I lay bare before You.

A LITANY OF THANKSGIVING

In Your presence, O God, we make our Sacrament of Thanksgiving.

We begin with the simple things of our days:
Fresh air to breathe,
Cool water to drink,
The taste of food,
The protection of houses and clothes,
The comforts of home.
For all these we make an act of Thanksgiving this day!

We bring to mind all the warmth of humankind that we have known:

Our mothers’ arms,
The strength of our fathers,
The playmates of our childhood,
The wonderful stories brought to us from the lives of many who
talked of days gone by when fairies and giants and diverse kinds
of magic held sway;
The tears we have shed, the tears we have seen;
The excitement of laughter and the twinkle in the eye with
its reminder that life is good.
For all these we make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

I NEED YOU

I need Your sense of time. Always I have an underlying anxiety about things. Sometimes I am in a hurry to achieve my ends and am completely without patience. It is hard for me to realize that some growth is slow, that not all processes are swift. I cannot discriminate between what takes time to develop and what can be rushed because my sense of time is dulled. O to understand the meaning of perspective that I may do all things with a profound sense of leisure of time.

I need Your sense of order. The confusion of the details of living is sometimes overwhelming. The little things keep getting in my way, providing ready-made excuses for failure to do and be what I know I ought to do and be. Much time is spent on things that are not very important while significant things are put in an insignificant place in my scheme of order. I must unscramble my affairs so that my life will become order. O God, I need Your sense of order.

I need Your sense of the future. Teach me to know that life is ever on the side of the future. Keep alive in me the future look, the high hope. Let me not be frozen either by the past or the present. Grant me, O Patient One, Your sense of the future without which all life would sicken and die.

OUR LITTLE LIVES

Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!
The quietness in Your temple of silence again and again rebuffs us:
For some there is no discipline to hold them steady in the waiting,
And the minds reject the noiseless invasion of Your spirit.
For some there is no will to offer what is central in the thoughts—
The confusion is so manifest, there is no starting place to take hold.
For some the evils of the world tear down all concentrations
And scatter the focus of the high resolves.
We do not know how to do what we know to do.
We do not know how to be what we know to be.
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!
Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need of shock, of life, of release
That we may find strength for these days—
Courage and hope for tomorrow.
In confidence we rest in Your sustaining grace
Which makes possible triumph in defeat, gain in loss, and love in hate.
We rejoice this day to say:
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!


In The Bleak Mid-Winter

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom Angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.
-Christina Rossetti

126 In convertendo

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, *
"The Lord has done great things for them."

4 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

2 Esdras 2:42-48

Ezra Sees the Son of God

42 I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude that I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. 43In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. 44Then I asked an angel, ‘Who are these, my lord?’ 45He answered and said to me, ‘These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God. Now they are being crowned, and receive palms.’ 46Then I said to the angel, ‘Who is that young man who is placing crowns on them and putting palms in their hands?’ 47He answered and said to me, ‘He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world.’ So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord.* 48Then the angel said to me, ‘Go, tell my people how great and how many are the wonders of the Lord God that you have seen.’

Matthew 10:16-22

Coming Persecutions

16 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.


O God, our strength and our salvation, who called your servant Thomas Becket to be a shepherd of your people and a defender of your Church: Keep your household from all evil and raise up among us faithful pastors and leaders who are wise in the ways of the gospel; through Jesus Christ the shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Lesson Set B The Feast of the Holy Innocents.

124 Nisi quia Dominus

1 If the Lord had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;

2 If the Lord had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;

3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;

4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;

5 Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.

6 Blessed be the Lord! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

Jeremiah 31:15-17

15 Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
   lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
   she refuses to be comforted for her children,
   because they are no more.
16 Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping,
   and your eyes from tears;
for there is a reward for your work,

says the Lord:
   they shall come back from the land of the enemy;
17 there is hope for your future,

says the Lord:
   your children shall come back to their own country.




Revelation 21:1-7


The New Heaven and the New Earth
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the home* of God is among mortals.
He will dwell* with them;
they will be his peoples,*
and God himself will be with them;*
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’

And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ 6Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. 7Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.


Matthew 2:13-18

The Escape to Egypt

13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ 14Then Joseph* got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

The Massacre of the Infants

16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,* he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.* 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 ‘A voice was heard in Ramah,

   wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

   she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’


We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Father,
your Son was saved from the slaughter of infants
at the hand of Herod;
grant that we may never be indifferent
to the sufferings of your children,
but may bring them help and compassion
in your unfailing love;
for he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever.
Amen. (ANZPB)

Loving Jesus,
let the tears of Rachel express our desolation,
let her weep for battered babies and clinical deformity,
weep for human cruelty and ignorance and arrogance.
Loving Jesus, may we weep with her,
may we see what we are doing,
what is happening to us;
help us repair it soon.
Praise to you our God; you answer prayer.
Amen. (ANZPB)


Let us pray the Lord's Prayer or the alternative setting from A New Zealand Prayer Book.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

or


Eternal Spirit, 
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, 
Source of all that is and that shall be, 
Father and Mother of us all, 
Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! 
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world! 
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! 
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom 
sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us. 
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. 
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. 
From trials too great to endure, spare us. 
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, 
now and for ever. Amen.


Christ has no Body

Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks. Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. - Teresa of Avila

 In Bethlehem a newborn boy
Rosamond E Herklots


1. In Bethlehem a newborn boy
was hailed with songs of praise and joy.
Then warning came of danger near:
King Herod's troops would soon appear.

2. The soldiers sought the Child in vain:
not yet was he to share our pain,
but down the ages rings the cry
of those who saw their children die.

3. Still rage the fires of hate today,
and innocents the price must pay,
while aching hearts in every land
cry out, 'We cannot understand!'

4. Lord Jesus, through our night of loss
shines out the wonder of your cross,
the love that cannot cease to bear
our human anguish everywhere.

5. May that great love our lives control
and conquer hate in every soul,
till, pledged to build and not destroy,
we share your pain and find your joy.


A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

Beloved God, as we approach your Presence, guide and stir us
with your Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

God we pray for all the Innocents of this world responding with God hear us as we pray.

God we pray for all innocent lives that have been violated physically and emotionally, by acts of bigotry, bullying, discrimination, abuse, hatred, inequality, and any act that separates your Children one from another.
God hear us as we pray.

God we pray that compassion, acceptance, love and mercy and justice may spread throughout this fragile and broken world.
God hear us as we pray.


God we pray for all Innocent lives of the LGBT Community that have been threatened and killed by acts of hatred.
God hear us as we pray.


We pray for all children who are caught in the midst of war, terror, abuse, and swiftly changing family dynamics. 
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all parents and children  who are mourning the loss of their beloved children and parents. We pray for their innocent hearts that have been broken. May they be comforted and healed.
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all innocent wildlife that are threatened by extinction and endangerment as a species.
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all innocent family members who have been victims of gun violence by law enforcement officers and others. 
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all innocent and vulnerable people who have been marginalized and made to feel invisible.
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all our innocent family members who are caught in the crossfire of political and sectarian violence.
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all who are victims of injustice, war crimes, and pray that we may strive for justice and peace and "Respect the dignity of every human being'
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all our innocent family members who are houseless, hungry, and ill clad who are faced with another night without proper shelter and safety.
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all innocent lives who are victims of human rights violations , human trafficking, coyotes, and immigration strangleholds by persons who are in the business of modern day slavery.
God hear us as we pray.

We pray for all the innocents that come to our minds and hearts as we name them now______.
God hear us as we pray.

We pledge and stand with the vulnerable as we pray and take the Matthew 25 pledge:
I pledge to protect and defend vulnerable people in the name of Jesus  (G-D)


We pray for_________________
We remember_______________
We give thanks to God for_____

O God our shield and armor of light, whom we adore with all the
angelic host: defend us from evil; watch over any who are in
danger this night and give your angels charge over them; and
grant that we may always rejoice in your heavenly protection and
serve you bravely in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

God of unchangeable power, when you fashioned the world the
morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for
joy; open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us
to use all things for good, to the honor of your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(source: A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 569)


It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from humanity as first fruits for God and the Lamb. Revelation 14:4


May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus
Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods
over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and
remain with you always. Amen

++++++

Let us once again do our yearly guided meditation:

Walking in the footsteps of a refugee
                        A Guided Meditation and Virtual Prayer Walk

Let us imagine ourselves through the eyes of a refugee and pray along the way.
Imagine you have decided to leave the only home you and your family have ever known.
God I don't want to live in this country where my children and husband and I are having to dodge bullets and face daily fears.  God help us to have courage to leave this war torn city and country and find safety.
Imagine having to carry a loaded in a backpack without any of the usual comfort items.
God I'm not ready to become homeless but in order to find a better life for my family I must Give me courage to take what I really need for my husband, children and myself.
Imagine the first day on the road by foot. How do your feet feel and what does your body feel like going long distances?
God my feet feel like they have become calloused, blistered, and in a lot of pain. Give us courage to honor our bodies, minds, and spirits when we need to as we flee our country of origin.
Imagine not having enough warmth on these cold nights out in the open.
God help us to find a suitable place of shelter for the night and that we may find warmth.
Imagine meeting up with other refugees and telling your stories and developing a new kind of family.
God we thank you that we have met many of our fellow refugee families and that we finally realize that we are all in this as one big family. God help us to find and make lasting friendships and that we may find safety together.
Imagine being in danger and seeing lawless gangs.
God help us to remain safe and secure and we pray for our enemies and those who wish to do us harm.
Imagine us having to find shelter, clothing, and food everyday on the road and there aren't any refugee camps nearby.
God help us to find shelter, clothing,food everyday. Help us to keep our eyes and ears open to finding refugee camps that are run by compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful people.
Imagine becoming ill on the road.
God help us to find ways to cope with illness each day that we are not in familiar territory.
Imagine having a loved one die on the road. 
God help us to mourn our loved ones loss on the road and that we may honor their bodies by burying them reverently in the ground. Help us to always to remember to carry white sheets for burial shrouds along the way.
Imagine you have finally reached the refugee camps and are awaiting resettlement. 
God we thank you for finally reaching the camp and we pray that we may have patience to wait our turn to go through the resettlement process.
Imagine the day when you meet your sponsoring family.
(Alternate imagining:)
Imagine you get to this country and are told to turn back because of your religious status and  ethnic origin.
God help us to remain cool and seek help from loving people who really care)
God we thank you for our new family. Help us  when it is our turn to welcome the stranger that we may model our lives after you Jesus and remember that you, Mary, and Joseph were refugees too.

And

Stations of the Creche




I. Mary receives word that she is to bear the Christ child.
"Be it unto me according to your Word"
Lord may we say yes to your call and walk with you in love and not fear.


II. Mary Tells Joseph her news!
"Do not be afraid Joseph to Take Mary as your wife"
Help us to not be afraid when God presents us with difficulty. May we seek to have faith and resiliency.

III. Joseph receives word about needing to go to Bethlehem to be enrolled
Lord help us to remember that we are all written in your Book of life and that we are precious to you and every hair on our heads are counted.

IV. Mary and Joseph set out on the road to Bethlehem.
Lord God we pray for all who travel and pray for safe passage wherever we go this season.

V. Mary and Joseph seek shelter as Mary goes into labor. 
Lord God we pray for all who seek shelter this night and for all women who are in labor. We pray for safety for all who  are the least of these our family members. May we offer our homes and hearts as shelters from any kind of storm.

VI. Mary and Joseph take shelter in a manger
Lord God it is good to be in this manger as a reminder that all living things are precious to you and that we all must eat the Bread of eternal life in new mangers as we feast with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist at God's Holy Table set with Bread and Wine.

VII. Jesus is Born 
Come let us adore him and give thanks that Jesus came into God's world to redeem, heal, and teach us how to be brothers and sisters one to another. We give thanks that on that most holy night we were no longer strangers but the Family of Love.

VIII. Angelic Hosts tell the Shepherds "Do not be afraid"! Follow the Star to the Manger and greet with joy the birth of the Messiah. 
Lord God may we never be afraid to come and meet and greet our Lord in all persons, places, and situations.

IX. The Magi Visit Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Lord God, teach us to be giving of our time, talents, treasures, and ourselves. Help us to give and receive the Gift of presence from you and others.

X. Herod sets out to kill the Holy Innocents.
Lord God, we pray for peace in the world and an end to violence against all your children , young and old. We pray for your holy and loving protection  to surround them wherever they may be.

XI  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph take flight into Egypt.
Lord God, we pray for all refugees who are fleeing wars, economic situations, religious persecution, and political uncertainty. We pray that they may return to their homes and livelihoods and if they are to stay where they have taken flight to that they may be welcomed not as strangers but as members of the family of love.

XII. Jesus, Mary and Joseph return home to Nazareth.
Lord God we pray that as we return home from work or travel that our homes may be havens of peace and places of refreshment for all of our family members.


Alternative close

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3–12


Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10



May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of
the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you
may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his
sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and
ever.    Hebrews 13:20-21


Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.



The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.


The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.(Source Celtic)


From The Northumbria Community
Meditation Day 28
Let everything that has life,
let everything that has breath
give all the glory and honour
and praise to the One who
overcame death.
Let every living thing
sing of the mercies of our God.
Let us exalt Him wherever we live
with thanksgiving and joy
in our hearts.
If we don’t praise Him,
the mountains will.
If we don’t exalt Him,
the rocks will cry out
in our stead,
‘God is not dead!’
Let every living thing
sing of the mercies of our God.
Let us exalt Him wherever we live
with thanksgiving and joy
in our hearts.
Lawrence Chewning




+++++

Good Night Beloved Community! I love you and Give thanks to God for you always.

A bonus:

A reflection:
I cannot believe that it is has been 9 months since I have been down to  the Faith Factory/Church but wait! This isn't true, wherever we are we are the Church. Church isn't the building, it is we the people who make up the church. We carry church and being members of the Beloved Community from place to place , person to person, loving God all the way on the Way. God calls us each day to be God's movable church and feast. We must carry God to everyone in our thoughts, words, deeds, and most especially in our heart homes. When you feel fatigued and who doesn't these post hullabaloo days God does give us enough Love Energy to carry on and do the things necessary for our community. Remember the parable of the mustard seed? Our faith when when we are fatigued works the same way. God gives us just the right amount of Love energy to give of ourselves to our family members. All we need to do is channel it and that means sitting quietly and being in God's holy presence. Now a prayerful reminder from St. Teresa of Avila 
Christ Has No Body. Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks. Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

If you can't do a lot today, just live, move a little bit, and just be! Don't forget to be CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful ) With God, To All our Family of Love, and don't forget yourselves.

With love and lots of it along with many blessings and a heart home wide open just for you. 
Sara



Resources:
Satucket -Lectionary Page
BCPONLINE
Enriching Our Worship
A to Z quotes -Christina Rossetti
New Zealand Prayer Book.
Quote sites for hymn lyrics
YouTube
Walk With Me On Our Journey

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