Follow That Star
to a…
Ben Calf Robe School
Christmas
Advent Celebration at St Clare Church
December 23, 2004
Opening Hymn:
Processional Hymn: O Come Divine Messiah
Welcome: Mr. B. Richardson
Welcome to our special Advent Liturgy. Today we gather to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Throughout this Advent season, we have been preparing ourselves in many ways, for the coming of the Messiah; through special activities, through prayer, through good deeds, and through many other acts of remembrance. Today we come before God the Creator, to welcome Jesus into our hearts and our lives.
Let us now begin our celebration together... In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit...AMEN
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
We will begin with the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath.
After each prayer for the lighting of the candles, we will follow with the verse of the Advent Wreath Song.
Wreath Song: Light The Advent Candle
(We will sing appropriate verse between each candle lighting)
1st candle:
Reader -
The first candle we light today, reminds us of the HOPE of those who waited for the day when the Messiah would come to be the LIGHT of the WORLD and lead us out of darkness...toward our God.
All -
Dear God make us strong
as we wait for the day
when Your Son will be born
and take darkness away
2nd candle:
Reader -
The second candle we light today, reminds us of PEACE through God's FORGIVENESS. We must try to live GOOD and JUST lives and REPENT for our mistakes. We must also forgive ourselves and each other, so that we may all know PEACE.
All -
Dear God help us show
love and kindness for each other
Let forgiveness come to all,
from our God and our brother
3rd candle:
Reader -
The third candle we light today, reminds us of the JOY of Christmas day. We remember the angels who brought good news to the shepherds, and we give thanks that the greatest gift of all, will soon be here!
All -
Dear God help us feel
the JOY His coming will bring
When the earth will be blessed
and we'll welcome the King
4th candle:
Reader -
The fourth candle we light today, reminds us of God's LOVE for us. We also remember Mary who loved God so much, that she became the Mother of Jesus, God's Son. Mary is our loving Mother in Heaven, and we all share in the LOVE of the family of God.
All -
Dear God we give thanks
for Your deep endless LOVE
for sending us the Savior
as a gift from above
May we trust as Mary did,
and choose life in your LIGHT
...giving you praise
and always doing what's right
First Reading: Ms. Irlbacher
John 1: 6-9 and Mark 1: 7,8
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. he himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
John said, “The one who is more powerful than I, is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the throng of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The true light, which enlightens everyone, is coming to the world.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm: Come Lord Jesus
Second Reading: Miss Anderson
Mark 13: 31-37
Jesus said to his disciples, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angel in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Beware, keep alert for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
Therefore, keep awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake"
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia
Gospel: Father Jim
The Lord be with you………………………….(and also with you)
A reading from the Gospel of Luke 2: 1-20
………(Glory to You Lord Jesus Christ)
This is the Gospel of the Lord
………………..(Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ)
Homily: Father Jim
Creed: Apostles Creed
Prayers of the Faithful/Intentions:
Let us now ask for our special Advent PRAYERS.
After each intention our response will be:
Creator, your LOVE leads us toward Your light.
That we remember to take time to pray and give thanks for our many blessings, we pray to the Lord.
That we become more like Jesus everyday, in our thoughts, feelings and actions, we pray to the Lord.
That we do things at home, at school and in our community, that pleases God and others, we pray to the Lord.
That we become more gentle, kind, giving, and loving to our friends and families, we pray to the Lord.
That we make the right choices that will keep us safe, healthy, and growing into the best person we can be, we pray to the Lord.
That all of us have a blessed and joyful Christmas celebration with our families and friends, and that we return in the New Year with renewed strength and energy from the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord.
Offertory Song: Whatsoever You Do
Hosanna (sung)
Communion Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful
Closing Prayer/Blessing for the Christmas Season: Father Jim
Dear Creator,
We want to walk into your Light, not only towards Christmas...but every day throughout our lives.
Almighty God, it is through You, that we seek strength and direction for our lives. Open our hearts to Your word, so we can be guided by your love and wisdom.
Jesus is the Light of our world, and we believe in Him. We know He came to lead us all away from darkness, and bring us closer to You.
Help us remember that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is our Blessed Mother in Heaven. She is waiting for us to ask for her help, in our times of need. She is a great support for all of us, as we are all her children, too.
Through our Creator, Jesus Christ our Saviour, Mary our Mother in Heaven, and all the angels and saints, we pray that the entire Ben Calf Robe School Family will return safe, healthy, happy and well rested, in the new year, to continue the very special journey we are sharing this school year.
This we ask in God's name...
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......AMEN
Closing Song: Huron Carol
Christmas Mass Hymns/Prayers
Light The Advent Candle
Chorus:
Candle, candle, burning bright
Shining in the cold winter night;
Candle, candle, burning bright,
Fill our hearts with Christmas light.
1. Light the Advent candle one.
Now the WAITING has begun…
We have started on our way,
Time to think of Christmas Day.
2. Light the Advent candle two.
Think of humble shepherds who…
Filled with WONDER at the sight,
Of the child on Christmas night.
3. Light the Advent candle three.
Think of heavenly harmony.
Angels singing ‘PEACE on earth’…
At the blessed Savior’s birth.
4. Light the Advent candle four.
Think of JOY forevermore.
Christchild in a stable born…
Gift of LOVE that Christmas morn.
5. Light the Christmas candles now…
Sing of donkey, sheep and cow.
Birthday candles for the KING,
Let the ALLELUIAS ring!
Come Lord Jesus
Come Lord Jesus,
Come Lord Jesus,
Come Lord Jesus,
Come and be born in our hearts.
Come, O Prince of Peace,
Come, O Prince of Peace,
Come, O Prince of Peace,
Come and be born in our hearts.
Our hearts are open,
Our hearts are open,
Our hearts are open,
Come and be born in our hearts.
Come, Emmanuel,
Come, Emmanuel,
Come, Emmanuel,
Come and be born in our hearts.
HOLY, HOLY
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of Power and might.
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, on high.
Blessed is He who comes,
In the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna,
On high.
MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION
Christ has died, Alleluia
Christ is risen, Allelluia
Christ will come again…
Alleluia, Alleluia
LORD’s PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil,
Amen.
SIGN of PEACE
Peace be with you…and also with you.
Let us now offer a sign of peace…by making the sign of the cross,
on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts.
LAMB OF GOD (SPOKEN OR SUNG)
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Have MERCY on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Have MERCY on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Grant us PEACE.
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels;
Chorus: (English)
O Come let us adore Him,
O Come let us adore Him,
O Come let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
(CREE)
Anotch ka kisi-kak
We mi-ya-wa-ta-tak
Jesus Christ no-ku-siw i-yi-ni-nak
Wi-ya ketch-i-natch kisi-man-i-to-wiw
Chorus: (CREE)
Man-i-to-wey-i-ma-tak
Man-i-to-wey-i-ma-tak
Man-i-to-wey-i-ma-tak
Je-sus Christ
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation,
Sing all ye citizens, of heaven above;
Glory to God, in the highest.
(English) Chorus
Mas-ku-sik pi-mi-sin Manito-Awa-sis
Kiya-now e ot-chi kwa-ta-kit-tat
Ka-yas e ot-chi a-ya-sa-wa-pa-miht
(CREE) Chorus
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee.
Born this happy morning;
Jesus to Thee, be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.
(English) Chorus
Ma-yo e no-ku-sit mustus-o-ka-mi-kok
Kisi-kok ma-twe na-ni-ka-mo-wan
O-kisis-ka-wa e na-ka-mus-ta-kut.
(CREE) Chorus
Huron Carol
Twas in the moon of wintertime
When all the birds had fled.
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead.
Before their light the stars grew dim
And wondering hunters heard the hymn…
Chorus:
JESUS YOUR KING IS BORN
JESUS IS BORN
IN EXCELSIS GLORIA
Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender babe was found.
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapped His beauty ‘round;
And as the hunter braves drew nigh
The angel song rang loud and high:
Chorus
The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory
On the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before Him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Chorus
O children of the forest free.
O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heaven
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace, and joy!
Chorus
O Come Divine Messiah
O come divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day.
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.
Chorus
Sweet Savior, haste
Come, come to earth;
Dispel the night, and show Thy face,
And bid us hail, the dawn of grace.
O come divine Messiah,
The world in silence, waits the day.
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away.
O Thou whom nations sighed for,
Whom priests and prophets long foretold,
Wilt break the captive fetters,
Redeem the long, lost fold.
Chorus
Shalt come in peace and meekness,
And lowly will thy cradle be;
All clothed in human weakness,
Shall we Thy Godhead see.
Chorus
Whatsoever You Do
Refrain:
Whatsoever you do,
to the least of my brothers,
That you do onto Me.
When I was hungry, you gave me to eat.
When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink.
Now enter into the home of my Father.
Refrain
When I was homeless, and strange in this land,
Searching for kindness, you held out your hand.
Now enter into the home of my Father.
Refrain
When I was weary, you helped me find rest.
When I was searching, you answered my quest.
Now enter into the home of my Father.
Refrain
When I was aged, you bothered to smile.
When I was restless, you listened a while.
Now enter into the home of my Father.
Refrain
When I was laughed at, you stood by to care.
When I was happy, in all you did share.
Now enter into the home of my Father.
Refrain
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen
