The Fourth Day of Christmas - Lessons and Carols

Dear Friends in Christ -
The Christmas service of Lessons and Carols is one of my favorites of the Church year. I especially love the "Bidding Prayer" which opens the service. As we prayed it together this morning, I felt our hearts rise as one. I share it with you here that you may continue to reflect on it this evening and, if you wish, in the days to come.
Faithfully,
Janet+

Beloved in Christ, this day it is our duty and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, and the Babe, lying in the manger.
Therefore let us hear again from Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days until the glorious redemption brought us by this holy Child; and let us make this house of prayer glad with our carols of praise.
But first, because this of all things would rejoice Jesus' heart, let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people; for peace upon the earth he came to save, for love and unity within the one Church he did build; for good will among all peoples.
And particularly at this time let us remember the poor, the cold, the hungry, the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all who know not our Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.
Lastly let us remember all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude who no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words that Christ himself has taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine, is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
May the almighty God bless us with divine grace, may Christ give us the joyof everlasting life, and unto the fellowship of the citizens above, may the Spirit of Love bring us all. Amen.