Christmas daybook, 8: For everything there is a season

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you? (see all of the Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

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look

A Forest Year, Time-lapse by Samuel Orr - source

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read

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13: For everything there is a season

{all readings for the day: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; 

Psalm 8; Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25:31-46}

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pray

At the beginning of this new year, we implore God's blessing upon our work and join with the Church across time and space in Prayers of the People.

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, "Lord, have mercy."

For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For our Bishop [name], and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. 

Lord, have mercy.

For our President Barack Obama, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this city (town, village, _______), for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, especially [names], for the widowed and orphans, especially [names], and for the sick and suffering, especially [names], let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, especially [names], for the unemployed and the destitute, especially [names], for prisoners and captives, especially [names], and for all who remember and care for them, especially [names], let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Lord, have mercy.

For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, especially [names], let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Defend us, deliver us, and in they compassion protects us, O Lord, by thy grace.

Lord, have mercy.

In the communion of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.

To thee, O Lord our God.

Throughout all time you have blessed your people, O God, and dwelt among them. On the first day of this new year, inspire and guide us, that all we do may find in you its beginning and fulfillment. Amen.(source and source)

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listen

Canticle of the Turning | Listen for free at bop.fm

Canticle of the Turning, Buddy Greene

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do

Gather the Christmas cards you received this year and add the names to those you include in The Prayers of the People. 

12 ways to savor 12 days of Christmas

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