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Christmas Eve: The Christ Candle

A candle liturgy that we will be using at our community carol service in Sandy Row this afternoon and perhaps at other services tomorrow based on Isaiah 9:2-7





VOICE 1:              The people stumbling in the dark have seen a great light;
VOICE 2:              on those living in the land shadows the light has dawned.
VOICE 1:              You have made the nation greater than they could imagine and increased their joy;
VOICE 2:              they rejoice before you   as people rejoice at a bountiful harvest,
VOICE 1:              the way that warriors rejoice when the battle is over and they have won.
VOICE 2:              For   you have shattered the shackles of oppression,
VOICE 1:              And torn the whip out of the tyrant’s hand.
VOICE 2:              Every soldier’s boot  and every garment soiled with blood will be burned;
VOICE 1:              All these symbols of sorrow will be fuel for the fire.
VOICE 2:              For a child is born for us;
VOICE 1:              a son has been given to us.
VOICE 2:              The responsibilities of government will rest on his shoulders.
VOICE 1:              He will be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Almighty God,
                                         Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
VOICE 2:              The greatness of his government and peace will know no end.
VOICE 1:              He will reign from David’s throne  and over that long promised kingdom,
VOICE 2:              Establishing on a firm footing and administering it with justice and righteousness,
VOICE 1:              from that time on and forever more
VOICE 2:              The Lord Almighty in his zeal will do all this.

All 5 candles are lit finishing with the central one.
Let us pray:
Lord we thank you for the gift of your Son come among us;
The light of your love dawning on us in the dark.
May we rejoice and be glad at his coming
And live our lives under his rule of love.
AMEN
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