#ChristmasWords a brief Season With Meaning! Today's Word is #Follow

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on Our Journey From Bethlehem to Nazareth:

Happy Second Day of Christmas, St. Stephen's Day, Boxing Day and You Matter Monday. Remember the #AdventWords we did during Advent? Of course you do! It has only been 2 days or less depending upon where you are living.  We are going to do the same thing called #ChristmasWords until Epiphany and I hope that you'll enjoy it. Tonight's word is #Follow. We followed Joseph, Mary, and his entire clan to Bethlehem where we meet Jesus in the manger for the very first time as a baby. God as a baby! God incarnate, man divine! I keep wondering how God felt growing up as a human being and going through everything we went through yet without sinning. God as Jesus didn't skip developmental steps or go through SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome). So what does that have to do with the word #Follow? God expects us to follow God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit without skipping steps and developmentally. Some of us are still on the baby food Christian meal while others are growing in maturity and stature in our faith.  Following Jesus means we get to go on a journey like none other and this is where we get to take and participate in the Stations of the Creche today and in the days to come with different #ChristmasWord Themes. You may begin with the 1st Station or begin with the 8th. 



Here is the meme from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry on Twitter #TheDailyCurry #Episcopal. Please meditate upon it prior to our prayer time and Stations of the Creche.

Follow Him

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.

Now let us enter a time of prayer and making vigil.

Opening Sentences:

CHRISTMAS (From the New Zealand Prayer Book)

To us a child is born: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. Isaiah 9:6 (adapted)

Behold I bring you good news of a great joy; for to you is born in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10,11

In this, O God, your love was made manifest among us, that you sent your only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 (adapted)

Christmas From the (BOS Book of Occasional Services)

The Word was made flesh, * alleluia, alleluia.

The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.

And dwelt among us:

Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.

V. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, alleluia:

R. God is the Lord; he has shined upon us, alleluia

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron From the (BCP BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER)

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Psalm 31:1-5

In te, Domine, speravi

1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame; *

deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Incline your ear to me; *

make haste to deliver me.

3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,

for you are my crag and my stronghold; *

for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *

for you are my tower of strength.

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *

for you have redeemed me,

O Lord, O God of truth.

Today's Lessons are From St. Stephen's Day:

We begin with the Collect of the Day.

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15

At the beginning of the reign of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, this word came from the Lord: Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord; speak to them all the words that I command you; do not hold back a word. It may be that they will listen, all of them, and will turn from their evil way, that I may change my mind about the disaster that I intend to bring on them because of their evil doings. You shall say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, and to heed the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently-- though you have not heeded-- then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.

The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, "You shall die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, `This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant'?" And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, "It is the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you. But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.

The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen

Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Then the high priest asked him, "Are these things so?"

And Stephen replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. You are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

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.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Matthew 23:34-39

Jesus said, "Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Time for our Second Day of Christmas Meditation and Prayers-

So let us meditate upon lines in bold. Let's take our time. Listen to your favorite Christmas Music and enjoy knowing that we are precious gifts and treasures God has made and that we are loved and not alone. After we take time to meditate on the above let us be at prayer.

WHEREVER GOD IS THAT IS HOME AND WE ARE ALWAYS GOD'S BELOVED CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

REMEMBER WHEREVER GOD IS THAT IS HOME AND WE ARE ALWAYS GOD'S BELOVED CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

WHEREVER WE ARE GOD IS AND GOD DWELLS WITHIN US, THROUGH US , BESIDE US, AND IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY!

SO THERE IS NO NEED TO FEEL ALONE! GOD IS WITH US, GOD KNOWS HOW WE FEEL GOD HAS GIVEN US PERMISSION TO SPEAK OUR OWN TRUTH TO POWER .

God we thank you for making our hearts your home. Help us to remember to keep our heart doors open to you.

God we pray for all our family members who are physically homeless tonight that they may find shelter from the cold. We pray for shelters to meet every homeless family member's need.

God we pray for all refugees who are far from their homes because of war, economic hardship, and political reasons. We pray that peace may prevail and that they may return home.

God we pray for all children who are seeking forever homes and in need of loving families.

God we pray for all women, men, and children who find themselves caught up in domestic violence. May they remember that violence and abuse are not the answers. We pray for safe-houses for those who need to find sanctuary and safety.

God we pray for all who are ill may they be healed of all their infirmities. We pray for all who are in hospitals and care facilities that they may if it your will for them tor return home.

God we pray for all who are traveling home from any celebration anywhere that they may be careful in automobile, train, car, and ferry. We pray for traveling mercies this holiday season.

God we pray for that hearts may be softened so that we all may be united as one and that we may learn to love each other peacefully, joyfully, hopefully, and faithfully,

God we pray for all our family members who are mourning, we pray that they may feel their loved ones in their heart homes as their loved ones reside in the Thin Places.

God we pray this night especially for ______________ and all those who continue to be in our hearts and minds.

God we offer these our prayers in the Name of your son Jesus who by his birth made us one family with you . Amen.

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.

From the New Zealand Prayer Book

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.

EVENING

Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.

In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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.

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Good Night Dear Ones! I love you and give thanks to God for you always!

Love and Blessings!

Sara