Christmas Eve

 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People for Christmas

Brothers and sisters, on this most holy day of our

Lord’s birth, that we may find peace, joy, and

contentment in this holy season, let us pray for

ourselves and all those in need of our prayers, saying:

Lord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For the church of Christ, and especially for Justin, the

Archbishop of Canterbury, our Presiding Bishop Sean,

and the bishop of this diocese, Nicholas, that they may

faithfully proclaim the good news of salvation and care

for the needs of God’s people. We pray to you: Lord,

in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For peace in our troubled world, that the darkness of

war, disease, violence, poverty, and injustice may be

replaced by the light of peace and love, we pray to

you: Lord, in your mercy.. Hear our prayer.

For all those in need of our prayers: The homeless, the

unemployed, the under-employed, the hungry, the

lonely, the addicted, those who are hospitalized, those

who are imprisoned in body or soul; and for all those

for whom this season is one not of joy but of trial and

sadness, we pray to you, Lord, in your mercy..

Hear our prayer.

For the sick, that their illnesses may be turned to

health and their sorrow into rejoicing, we pray to you,

Lord, in your mercy.. . Hear our prayer.

For those who labor this day on behalf of others:

doctors and nurses, caregivers, police and fire fighters,

store clerks, bus and taxi drivers, train conductors and

pilots and crew, for all whose work prevents them from

sharing this day with those they love, and those who

serve in the armed forces and especially those away

from home, we pray to you: Lord, in your mercy..

Hear our prayer.

With thanksgiving, we remember the lives of those who

have gone before us in the faith, that we, like them,

may remain faithful to the end and live forever in the

light of your eternal glory. We pray to you: Lord, in your

mercy…Hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Almighty God, mercifully hear the prayers

of your people. Give us zeal in our ministries and joy

in our work, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.