THE CELEBRATION OF JESUS’ BIRTH[1]
PRAISE
AND PRAYER
GATHERING
PROCLAMATION OF THE LIGHTS
Candle
of Love
We
light the Candle of Love which expresses our commitment to manifest the love of
Christ who was born in the manger for all. Thus, we can therefore build a
community not linked by blood ties but by bonds of commitment to Christ and to
his community.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Love will be lit.
Candle
of Joy
We
light the Candle of Joy which expresses our commitment to the knowledge we have
received from God who journeyed with the poor, oppressed, marginalized,
exploited and deprived but rejoicing because of the amazing thing that God has
done to them, like with Mary. A young woman who deeply moved by the amazing
reality in her life that was carrying the Liberator and Redeemer. Although she
was little scared but was filled with great joy. A joy that overtakes our
sorrows and washes away pains and paves the way to the fullness of life.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Joy will be lit.
Candle
of Peace
We
light the Candle of Peace which expresses our faith to peace-building
initiative as Christ born in the manger. This candle reminds us to Christ’s
peace that we received by faith, a pure gift to those who accept it and
committed to peace building initiatives.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Peace will be lit.
Candle
of Patience
We
light the Candle of Patience which expresses our commitment to possess the
virtue of consistency and endurance in journeying towards life in its fullness.
This also reminds us that the God we believe is the God who offered us healing
and salvation.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Patience will be lit.
Candle
of Kindness
We
light the Candle of Kindness which expresses our commitment to make our life a
manifestation of God’s miracles leading us to repentance and being redeemed to
the purpose of our existence (Romans 2:4). Kindness is Caring, Helping, Redeeming, Inspiring, Serving, and Trusting someone that he/she can do
what is good for them, for their love ones, and for the world with passion and
compassion.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Kindness will be lit.
Candle
of Goodness
We
light the Candle of Goodness which expresses our commitment to proclaim the
Gospel in word and in deed. Living a life with Compassion, doing Holy
and Redeeming things, fully Immersed to the purpose of our
existence as created in the image of God, Sharing
life with one another that Transforms
life towards its fullness.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Goodness will be lit.
Candle
of Faithfulness
We
light the Candle of Faithfulness which expresses our commitment to discernment
and live faithfully a life that is Christic
(Liberating), Healed, Redeemed, Inter-cultural competent for Social
Transformation. A life that sees the
realities of life through the eyes of Christ, speaks with the voice of Christ,
heals with the hands of Christ, and breathed with the Spirit of Christ.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Faithfulness will be lit.
Candle
of Gentleness
We
light the Candle of Gentleness, which expresses our commitment to live a life
that Cares, like a mother caring her
little children (1 Thess 2:7) prompted by love; a way of life that gives Hope; a life that Redeems and Inspires
people; a life that passionately Sharing
wisdom with one another; a life that that corrects and Teaches others. In a gentle heart born a life that is CHRIST
(Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:25; 1 Peter 3:15).
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Gentleness will be lit.
Candle
of Self-Control
We
light the Candle of Self-Control which expresses our commitment to a life with
discipline; developing the capacity to subdue our impulses and desires, and our
own will to let the will of God reign in our heart. In this season, we commit
to direct our attention to Christ born in the manger who taught us to love our
neighbor as we love ourselves.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Self-Control will be lit.
Candle
of Christ
We
light this candle of Jesus Christ – the Light of the World. The Son of Mary –
the poor, oppressed, marginalized, exploited, deprived but struggling people
who risked everything to nurture Jesus. As we light this candle, we express our
commitment to manifest God’s presence with our neighbors, love ones and of the
whole world. We express our willingness to immerse in the way of the LORD. In
Liberating the people, in Ordering the life of the people, in Redeeming the
people from any form of evils and sins, and in Developing principled leaders
for the transformation of the world.
The Tibetan bowl will be beaten thrice. The Candle of Christ will be lit.
SERVICE OF INCENSING
A stick of incense
will be lighted. During this time the following will be read by a designated
member of the community.
As we
light the incense, O God, we recognize your presence who revealed to us
regardless of our colors, cultures, sexual orientations, and convictions. This
reminds us to one of the wise persons visited at the birth of Jesus offered an
incense – a symbol of worshiping the newly born Jesus, the Messiah, Prophet,
and Savior (Matthew 2:11). This is also expresses our prayer to God, to be
heard and incline God’s ear to us and granting us peace. Let our prayer be
counted as incense before God. And the lifting up of our hearts as our
thanksgiving and praise to God, our Parent.
CALL TO CELEBRATION
Pastor: Come, let us celebrate!
People: Let us celebrate the birth of
Jesus (Isa, for Islam), the Messiah (Isa Al-Masih, in the Islam), the Son of
Mary (Ibu Mariam, in Islam).
Pastor: Come, let us celebrate.
People: For everyone who believed in
Jesus, born through the womb of the poor, oppressed, marginalized, exploited,
deprived but struggling people will have eternal life.
All: Let us celebrate the birth of
Isa Al-Masih or Jesus the Messiah, the Word of God, the Prophet or Al-Nabi, and
our Saviour!
+SINGING OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS
READING THE ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH
OF JESUS
REFLECTION ON THE BIRTH OF JESUS
CANTICLE OF MARY (UMC 199)
Response:
THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE
REVEALED; ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER.
Voice 1: My soul proclaims the greatness
of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, who has looked with favour
on me, lowly servant. R.
Voice 2: From this day all generations
shall call me blessed. The almighty has done great things for me and holy is
the name of the Lord, whose mercy in on those who fear God from generation to
generation. R.
Voice 3: The arm of the Lord is strong,
and he scattered the proud in their conceit. God has cast down the mighty from
their thrones and lifted up the lowly. R.
Voice 4: God has filled the hungry with
good things and sent the rich empty away. God has come to the aid of Israel,
the chosen servant, remembering the promise of mercy, the promised made to our
forebears, to Abraham and his children forever. R.
PRAISE,
COMMUNION AND BLESSING
AGAPE MEAL
+FINAL BLESSING
Pastor: May the serenity of heavenly
grace descend upon you, and may the birth of Jesus Christ, enlighten us now and
forever.
All: Amen.
Pastor: Go now in peace.
All: Thanks be to God.
+FINAL SONG “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” UMH 204
EMMANUEL,
EMMANUEL, CHRIST NAME IS CALLED EMMANUEL.
GOD
WITH US, REVEALED IN US, CHRIST NAME IS CALLED EMMANUEL.
+GOING FORTH
[1]Prepared
by Rev. Jeric C. Cortado, Chaplain and Associate Professor of the Southern
Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc., Mt. Apo Village, Poblacion, Kidapawan
City, Philippines 9400. December 14, 2018.
