EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 2, n. 5)
Christmas Day, Year B
December 25, 2005
“Behold the Salvation of Our God!”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or any appropriate song may be sung.
WORDS OF ST. LEO THE GREAT
Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness. No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing … In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind. And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to his people on earth as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God’s goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
(A prayer composed by D. Rimaud)
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ,
Lord, blessed Son,
Creator Word,
Redeeming Word,
Jesus, beloved,
Child, newborn.
Assembly: We bless you, we glorify you,
we celebrate you, we adore your glory!
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Is 52:7-10
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Jn 1:1-18
PERSONAL REFLECTION
(As a tool for personal reflection, please visit the PDDM Website: www.pddm.org // www.pddm.us for BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD [Series 4, n. 5]: A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy. The Biblico-Liturgical Reflections are an aid for a deeper understanding of the Gospel reading.)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn or suitable song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Leader: We open our hearts to listen to the promptings of the living Word. Let us ask ourselves with limpid honesty:
1. How do we respond to the great mystery of Love: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14)?
2. On this Christmas day, the birthday of life, do we allow ourselves to be filled with joy and endeavor to cast out the fears and anxieties that bring sadness to our hearts?
3. Are we bearers of the Gospel joy? How do we make the people around us see and feel the salvation of our God? What do we do to make the spirit of Christmas alive and palpable in today’s world?
PRAYER
(Adapted from J. Chrestien’s prayer)
Refrain: Today, your kingdom is at hand.
Come among us, Lord Jesus!
1. The Son of God, the King of Glory, wished to be born among us; he came to our earth and left the mark of his love. (Ref.)
2. Those who walked in darkness have seen their night dispelled, and on the people in distress a light has shone. (Ref.)
3. In our night arises the dawn of his justice and peace. God sends his deliverance, and he will never abandon us. (Ref.)
4. He has shown us the way; he is laden with our sorrows; and we march toward his Promise, his love shining in our faces. (Ref.)
5. When the Holy City will appear, when the new heavens will open, we will relish life without end before the throne of the Lamb. (Ref.)
SONG: Any suitable song may be sung.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
(From the Liturgy of the Hours)
Leader: Dear friends, let us humbly pray to God the Father who so loved us that he sent us his Son:
(R.) MAY THE FAVOR OF YOUR SON BE WITH US, LORD.
1. God of love, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you had mercy on those walking in darkness; receive the prayers we offer for the salvation of all people.
2. Lord, remember your Church spread over the entire world; bless your Christian people and give them peace.
3. You are the Father of all people; graciously grant peace to all, direct the eyes of all to your Son, and pour forth the spirit of peace on those who rule them.
4. You announced peace on earth at the coming of your Son; give eternal peace to those who have died.
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Father,
we are filled with the new light
by the coming of your Word among us.
May the light of faith
shine in our words and actions.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or song of praise may be sung.
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US