Cycle ABC Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Eve Set 1

12/24/2015 Confession

Worship Title: Nativity of Our Lord

Sermon Title: Ready?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Nativity of Our Lord

Sermon Title: Binding Love.

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 9:2-7 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually…. He will establish and uphold [His kingdom] with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

Psalm 96  Sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his name, proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all….

Luke 2:1-20 “Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news  of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord….”

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  The birth of our Lord is upon us,

and we are not ready.

        (decorations, dinner, wraping, traveling, is not the ready God needs.)

P:  Mighty God, Everlasting Father...

C: We think we are enlightened,

  yet we walk in great darkness,

    and live in a land of deep darkness.

All together we think joy is getting what we want.

  And we exault in having the spoils of our petty wins.

We ignore your zeal for the redemption of all peoples,

  while we zelously defend for ourselves our traditions.

You come as the Prince of Peace with good will to all,

  and we fight over the reason for the season,

    instead of seasoning our faithfulnes

      with your Wonderful Counsel.

With the good news of great joy in our hearing,

  we do not seek your salvation,

    we do not speak what has been told us. Instead;

we muffel, shade and hold down justice and righteousness.

Together our sins are many: we blame others.

  And in the quiet of our heart we think our sins few.

We are not ready.

Save us, forgove us, prepare us.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  Fear not! The grace of God appears: bringing salvation to all! Our sins are forgiven! It is the will of our great God and Savior: Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own, zelous for good deeds; all to the Glory of the Father and to the Son, + and to the Holy Spirit.

C: Glory to God in the highest heaven,

  and on earth peace and goodwill to all. Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!