Thursday, December 20, 2018

THE CELEBRATION OF JESUS’ BIRTH


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.

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