Solemnity of the Nativity of

OPENING SONG: YE WATCHERS AND YE HOLY ONES Reading 2 Acts 13:22-26

Ye watchers and ye holy ones, bright seraphs, cherubim, In those days, Paul said: and thrones, raise the glad strain, Alleluia! “ raised up as king; of him God testified, Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers, I have found David, son of , a man after my own heart; virtues, , ' choirs: he will carry out my every wish. From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, Refrain: has brought to a savior, . Alleluia! Alleluia! John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repent- Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! ance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, O higher than the cherubim, more glorious than the ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. seraphim, lead their praises, Alleluia! Behold, one is coming after me; Thou bearer of th' eternal Word, most gracious, I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’ magnify the Lord: [Refrain] “My , sons of the family of , and those others among you who are God-fearing, Respond, ye souls in endless rest, ye and to us this word of salvation has been sent.” blest, Alleluia! Alleluia! Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong, all triumphant, The Word of the Lord raise the song: [Refrain] Thanks be to God

O friends, in gladness let us sing, supernal anthems Alleluia echoing, Alleluia! Alleluia! R. Alleluia, alleluia. To , God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One: [Refrain] Lk 1:57-66, 80

Reading 1 Is 49:1-6 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. womb he gave me my name. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, He made of me a sharp-edged sword they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through who has this name.” whom I show my glory. So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, be called. uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD and all were amazed. has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered and he spoke God. to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters and my God is now my strength! were discussed throughout the hill country of . All who It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, heard these things took them to heart, saying, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of “What, then, will this child be?” Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day The Word of the Lord of his manifestation to Israel. Thanks be to God The Gospel of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 Praise to You, Lord, Jesus Christ. I Praise you, O Lord, for I am wonderfully made.

OFFERTORY SONG: YOU ARE NEAR FINAL BLESSING

O Lord, I know you are near, Go in Peace Standing always at my side. Thanks be to God You guard me from the foe, And you lead me in ways everlasting. RECESSIONAL: WALK THE PATH

Lord, you have searched my heart, I want to walk the path that John the Baptist walked and pre- And you know when I sit and when I stand. pare the way for the Lord. To be washed in the water of ever- Your hand is upon me protecting me from death, lasting glory and be freed from the wrath of ’s sword. I’ll Keeping me from harm. (Refrain) take road that leads me to freedom. My savior will guide me to Where can I run from Your love? the promise land. Until that day when He comes again in glory If I climb to the heavens You are there; I’ll give my life in the Lord. If I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea, Still I'd find You there. (Refrain) John told his people a savior would arrive. Another man much

You know my heart and its ways, greater than he. The gentle one was soon to come and wash You who formed me before I was born their sins away. Make ready for the one who is to be. In the secret of darkness before I saw the sun In my mother's womb. (Refrain) I want to walk the path that John the Baptist walked and pre- pare the way for the Lord. To be washed in the water of ever- Marvelous to me are Your works; lasting glory and be freed from the wrath of Satan’s sword. I’ll How profound are Your thoughts, my Lord. Even if I could count them, they number as the stars, take road that leads me to freedom. My savior will guide me to You would still be there. (Refrain) the promise land. Until that day when He comes again in glory I’ll give my life in the Lord. ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION I’ve been to the river and I’ve seen the way, I’ve been washed My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most in the blood of the lamb. Now I must walk that narrow road Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I and change my wicked way. Get ready for that final judgment desire to possess You within my soul. Since I am unable day. now to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there, and unite myself wholly to You, Never permit me to be I want to walk the path that John the Baptist walked and pre- separated from You. Amen. pare the way for the Lord. To be washed in the water of ever- lasting glory and be freed from the wrath of Satan’s sword. I’ll COMMUNION SONG: BY NAME I HAVE CALLED YOU - SOLO take road that leads me to freedom. My savior will guide me to the promise land. Until that day when He comes again in glory THE SERVANT SONG I’ll give my life in the Lord. I’ll give my life to the Lord. Will you let me be your servant Let me be as Christ to you I’ll give my life to the Lord. Pray that I may have the grace To let you be my servant too

We are pilgrims on the journey We are travelers on the road We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christ light for you In the night time of your fear I will hold my hand out to you Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping When you laugh, I'll laugh with you I will share your joy and sorrow Till we've seen this journey through

Will you let me be your servant Let me be as Christ to you Click here to contribute to our parish online Pray that I may have the grace To let you be my servant too

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