Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition
‘The Other Lectionary’ is a suggested ‘southern hemisphere’ Lectionary (with a few Resources added) offered in parallel to,
or even replacement of, the RCL which is in standard use by many
Check out Articles for some past writings on Christmas
A GATHERING LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
“...in the end the universe can only be explained in terms of celebration.
It is all an exuberant expression of existence itself”
25 December 2024. Christmas Day. (White).
Acknowledgement of Country/First Peoples
(An act towards reconciliation)
For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked
in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.
We acknowledge the (NN) People of the (N) Nation, past, present, and emerging,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
First Peoples Statement to the Nation 2017 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both found in Affirmations/Manifestoes
And we recognise and give thanks that we humans
are creatures of the Earth living in the ecosystem
—flowers, trees and insects; land, waters and mountain range—
that is unique to (NN).
May we honour one another and honour life itself.
(NN) is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Rich and Striking Visuals
“The function of beauty… is to make us aware of a reality which is richer and deeper
and more marvellous than anything we can dream or conceive.” (Henry N. Wieman)
Artwork OR Floral/Symbols display (cloths, candles, stones, wood, leaves, flowers, earth, water) OR projection of Film/Video
Gathering Music
Silence
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
May the love that breathes life
into all humanity
and all of creation
All Be born again in us today.
OR
From the eloquent questionings of children,
from the vast research of humanity into the unknown,
let us draw strength and courage
to live our lives in freedom and faith. (Bob Holmes/wm)
On this (Australian) Christmas Day may we celebrate
the richness and diversity of life.
Note: Check out 'Special Liturgies’ (this site) for the following:
(i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns is called Hymn of the Month
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns cover major international events or themes. They include these categories: 1. Bush (Brush) Fire, 2. Tsunami, Storms/Cyclones, 3. Earthquakes, 4. War/Remembrance, 5. Caregiving, 6. God as Mother, 7. Human Trafficking, 8. Disabled, 9. Migration/Refugees, 10. Terrorist Attacks, 11. Science/Cosmology
(iii) Some specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Carol of the Birds” 1 FACC
Out on the plains the Brolgas are dancing
Lifting their feet like war-horses prancing:
Up to the sun the wood-larks go winging
Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.
Down where the tree-ferns grow by the river,
There where the waters sparkle and quiver,
Deep in the gullies bell-birds are chiming
Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.
Friar-birds sip the nectar of flowers
Currawongs chant in wattle-tree bowers;
In the blue ranges Lorikeets calling
Carols of bushbirds are rising and falling -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day. (John Wheeler)
OR
"Christmas Day” (Tune: ’North Wind’, 88.89.99) 322 TiS
The north wind is tossing the leaves,
The red dust is over the town;
The sparrows are under the eaves,
And the grass in the paddocks is brown;
And we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child, the Heavenly King.
The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;
The cool stream flows silently by:
The joy-bells are greeting the day,
And the chimes are adrift in the sky,
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child, the Heavenly King. (John Wheeler)
OR
“Around the Crib” (Tune: ‘Hilariter’, 88.88) 6 CCS
Around the crib all peoples throng
In honour of the Christ-Child’s birth;
And raise again the ancient song
"Good-will to all, and peace on Earth”.
In pious hearts Christ lives again
As holy babe on Christmas morn,
But God comes into this our world
Each time a child of earth is born.
This Christmas tide let us rejoice
And celebrate our human worth,
Proclaiming with united voice
The miracle of every birth. (John Storey)
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
God of creation, shaper of seas and stars
of planets and of people
All God is here with us.
God, born in Bethlehem
gurgling, crying, laid in a manger
All God is here with us.
God, breath of the universe
flickering, dancing in the candle flame
All God is here with us.
God, Emmanuel, among us, within us
All We bring ourselves and our dreams
for we want to be here with you. (cfc/Iona)
Words of Awareness
We receive fragments of holiness,
glimpses of eternity,
brief moments of insight.
Let us gather them up for the precious gifts that they are
and, renewed by their grace,
move boldly into the unknown. (Sara Moores Campbell/slt)
OR
We pray:
Days of blazing sunlight,
clear blue skies and sunbaked earth,
colourful birds,
fiery bottle brush,
pastel jacaranda,
the fragrance of each season beneath the Southern Cross...
We offer our praise and thanks for God/the Sacred is in our midst.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song "Child of Christmas Story" (Tune: 'Incarnation') 12 AA
Child of Christmas story,
stable straw and star,
small and sweet and gentle:
tell us who you are.
Child whose baby finger
round our own is curled,
come to melt our hearts, and
come to change the world.
Child of Jew and Gentile,
child of white and black -
teach us how to love you,
teach us what we lack.
Child of Mary's courage
birthed in human pain,
tell us what your name is -
be our hope again. Shirley Erena Murray
OR
"Joy To The World" (Tune: 88.88.88.66. (Inclusive Text) 6 FSSC
Joy to the world! The Christ is here!
The gift of peace to bring!
Let ev'ry heart a welcome place prepare.
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing!
Joy to the earth! The saviour lives!
With song your voice employ;
While fields and floods, rock, plains and hills
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy!
Christ fills the world with truth and grace,
And asks each life to prove
The glories of God's righteousness
And wonders of God's love,
And wonders of God's love,
And wonders, and wonders of God's love! (Genia Pauli Haddon)
People sit
Welcome
Or in your own words
A warm welcome is extended to you all this Christmas Day.
Especially to those who may be gathering at (NN) for the first time,
and those who have returned to celebrate this special season
with family or friends.
Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book
OR
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who may be joining us for a first time.
Your presence enriches this gathering and contributes to
the creative evolution of community.
Thanks for the gift of you! (Central United, Moncton, Canada)
CENTERING
Lighting of the Christmas Candle
Over the past four Sundays we have lit the Advent candles
of peace, hope, joy and love.
We light them again and remember...
the ways peace, hope, joy and love
are always brought to birth in, through, and among, all creation.
Four candles lit
Last night we lit our Christmas Eve candles.
It was a time for memories and remembering...
To wonder and to give thanks.
And of quiet awakening to beauty
that still lives on through the strife
of personal griefs and a war-torn world.
Now we come to light our Christmas candle.
It is a friendly candle.
It brings light and love
as we celebrate in the warmth of summer.
It is a candle of understanding which drives away fear.
It is a candle of truth.
It will lead one in unknown paths
to learn more about the mysteries of life.
All Once upon a time a little baby was born
who taught us to love and understand one another.
And they called his name, Jesus.
The Christmas Candle is lit
Centering Silence
Centering silence has its roots in the earliest of monastic traditions of the ‘desert Fathers (abbas)/Mothers (ammas)’
and the Christian mystic tradition… Relaxing into ‘quietness’ creates the space for deep listening and draws you into yourself
Let there now be a quiet time among us.
(Silence)
Come apart from the busyness of family and work,
and dwell in the presence of the sacred.
(Silence)
May the silence which we now share quieten us,
touch our need,
refresh our courage,
enlarge our wonder.
(Silence)
OR
May that which is most sacred to us
enter into this moment of silence… (Bob Holmes/wm)
(Silence)
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
"Carol of the Earth"
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
how lovely are your branches.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
how lovely are your branches.
Upon those branches hangs a ball
which is most delicate and small
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
how lovely are your branches.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
you are the tree most loved.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
you are the tree most loved.
The ball which hangs there with such grace,
it is the earth which spins in space.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
you are the tree most loved.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
your beauty green will teach me
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
your beauty green will teach me
that planet earth can ever be
a friendly home for you and me.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
your beauty green will teach me. Andrew Hill
People sit
OR
"Summer Christmas" (Tune: 'Aurelia', 76.76D) 6 SNS2
We sing our Christmas carols amidst the summer heat,
When scorching winds can torment those harvesting their wheat;
We look for cooling respite, some shade among the trees,
An evening change in weather, a light refreshing breeze.
The summer heat reminds us of drought and rainless days,
Of hostile dust-storms raging, of forest trees ablaze;
At times like these we question; we sometimes feel dismay;
We need to sing our carols to celebrate this day.
This story of a baby, exposed to human fate,
To summer heat and winter, to human love and hate;
The Jesus story claims that we all can rise above
Our disappointing failures to work the works of love.
We can be devastated by all the daily news,
By murders, wars and conflicts, by pessimistic views;
But in the Jesus story we ponder on the worth
Of love, compassion, beauty, the hope of peace on earth.
So Christmas has a message of dreaming and good cheer;
When God's intention prompts us both now and every year,
In summer and in winter to emulate with joy
The life we see in Jesus - this tiny baby boy. (George Stuart)
People sit
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the World/Religious Traditions
“Wisdom is not just special knowledge about something. Wisdom is a way of being, a way of inhabiting the world.
The beauty of wisdom is harmony, belonging and illumination of thought, action, heart and mind.” (John O’Donohue)
Reader: With wonder we watch
the world unfold before us each day.
All Prisms of light dance our dreams beyond our grasp
and we awake to a world bursting with promise.
Ordinary, simple things, bring awe and wonder to our everyday.
All And we find blessing all about us.
May our minds ever ponder the subtle textures of life,
All And as these words and stories settle into our minds,
may we feel them stir and lift our hearts. (Adapt. Gretta Vosper/hb)
• Isaiah 9:2-7 (Inclusive Text)
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater,
you have made their joy increase;
they rejoice in your presence
as harvesters rejoice at harvest time,
as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.
For the yoke of Israel's burden,
and the staff for its shoulder, the rod of its oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For there is a child born for us.
An heir given to us upon whose shoulder government will rest.
They will name this one:
Wonder-Counselor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
This dominion - and this peace - will grow without end,
on David's judgement seat and over David's realm,
established and made secure in justice and integrity,
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of our God of hosts will do this.
OR
• “Christmas is…”
By Jim Burklo. Musings. 17 December 2020
The mythic story of a true turning point
In the natural history of consciousness,
Celebrating the birth of unconditional compassion.
The turn away from an eye for an eye,
The passing of supernatural, superpower God;
The rising of God with no power but love.
A story of hope for the peaceable kin-dom,
Activation for the foundation
Of a heavenly city on earth.
Poor shepherds and rich wise men
Brought to their knees in holy awe
Made equals in eyes of divine love.
Seeing the universe in a grain of sand,
Finding the cosmos in a baby’s hand,
Straining to listen to the angel band…
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Christmas Is Real” (Tune: ‘Spean’, 11.10.11.10D)
Christmas is real when the cost that we measure
reaches the manger and touches the skies,
shop fronts give way to divine revelation,
God is among us and selfishness dies.
Christmas is real when the gifts that are given
mirror the love of this God upon earth,
God who is known in self-giving and loving
crowning our poverty, coming to birth.
Christmas still echoed when screams of the children,
slaughtered by Herod inflamed people's fear.
Christmas remains when the trees and the tinsel
make way for news that we'd rather not hear.
Christmas is real when we enter the squalor
mirrored in Bethlehem so long ago;
off'ring the love that was seen in the God head,
total self-giving not baubles and show. © Andrew Pratt 2006
OR
“Angels We Have Heard on High” (Tune: ‘Gloria’, 7.7.7.7 with Refrain) 231 SLT
Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o’er the plains
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Glo-ri-a
in ex-cel-sis De-o
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tidings did you hear?
Refrain:
See him in a manger laid
whom the angels praise above,
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while we raise our hearts in love. (Earl Bowman Marlatt)
Refrain:
• Luke 2:8-20 (Inclusive Text)
In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields
and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night.
The angel of God appeared to them and the glory of God
shone around them. They were terrified, but the angel said,
'Do not be afraid.
Listen, I bring you news of great joy,
a joy to be shared by the whole people.
Today in the town of David
a saviour has been born to you who is the Christ.
'And here is a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.'
And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host,
praising God and singing,
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace to all who enjoy God's favour'.
Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened
which God has made known to us."
So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in the manger.
When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,
and everyone who heard it
was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.
As for Mary, she treasured all these things
and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen.
It was exactly as they had been told.
OR
John 1:1-5 (Modern Paraphrase)
By Lloyd Geering
In the beginning there were no words and no names
and the world was without shape, and void.
But the human species developed words,
and that gave rise to thoughts, and to imagination.
Humans named the world;
and wondered how they and the world had come into being.
They sensed a hidden power, for which they had many names.
They believed the hidden power brought all things into being.
And then the hidden power revealed itself to a man, Jesus,
full of grace and truth... (Ephesus Liturgy)
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Christmas Litany
People stand as they are able
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the fragrant eucalypt,
the song of the cicada,
and the soft flicker of candles...
All To them shall come memories of love and happiness.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the Christmas star...
All Their lives may ever reflect its light and beauty.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the age-old story of a child born in a stable and laid in a manger...
All To them a little child will always mean
hope and promise in a troubled world.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the joy of gifts sent lovingly to others...
All They shall share the gladness and joy
of the shepherds and sages of old.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the message of Jesus of Nazareth...
All They shall ever strive to help bring peace on earth,
good will to all. (Adapt.Celebrating Christmas/52)
OR
Colours of Christmas
v1 We come to acknowledge the many colours of Christmas…
v2 Colours of red in the shining ornaments
and rosy glow of merriment
Red cloth/steamer brought forward
All A time for meeting our memories and
honouring favourite traditions…
v2 Colours of green in the trees and
the streets of Christmas lights
Green cloth/steamer brought forward
All A time for seeing signs of new life and celebration…
v2 Colours of yellow in bright summer sun and
neighbourhood barbeques
Yellow cloth/steamer brought forward
All A time to celebrate the warmth and care of each other
as days grow longer...
v2 Colours of blue in the deep, cool waters of the sea
Blue cloth/steamer brought forward
All A time when barmy evenings caress us and
beach-side walks relax us...
v1 We gather in this time to find hope
All We come to open our spirits to the courage of living
amid all the colours of this summer season. (Adapt. Faith Works)
Sharing of ‘The Peace’
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
May a heart of peace rest with you.
All And also with you. (David Galston/q)
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
OR
Namaste
Facing the person with right hand on your heart and a slight bow of the head…
The Divine in me honours the Divine in you.
OR
The Light in me recognises the Light in you.
OR
The spirit within me sees the spirit within you.
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
"Christmas Bowl" (Tune: 'Winchester Old', 86.86)
An empty bowl, uplifted hands:
a challenge there we see,
to share with neighbours in all lands
our one humanity.
An empty bowl, uplifted hands:
may our commitment be
that peace and justice in all lands
shall be reality.
An empty bowl, uplifted hands:
to set the captives free
and joining people in all lands
in one community.
A cup of wine, uplifted hands:
O Christ, lead us to be
your body broken for all lands,
now and eternity. Robert Faser
Offerings
Presentation
The generosity of life is around us.
Even in difficult times
we can discover the spirit of generosity.
May we receive this generosity for our growing enrichment,
and may we give to this generosity
for the world's growing compassion. Francis Macnab/h
Conversation with the Children
Children gather on the conversation mat
Conversation:
In Solidarity
Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared
Focused Thoughts:
Listening Response:
We turn to Life, to that vast creativity
All that empowers the universe
as the ocean animates the wave,
seeking to let go of that which blocks our healing.
All May we open ourselves even now
to the wonder of Life.
And so we take this flame and light our special care candle...
The Care Candle is lit
For ourselves, for those named or remembered,
and in solidarity with those
who have not the freedom
to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation.
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presence of the sacred among us,
and to see new possibilities of the now.
The 'Abba’ Prayer: (Optional)
You are invited to pray the Abba/Lord's Prayer in your original language, as that is appropriate.
All Our Mother, whose body is the Earth,
Sacred is thy being. Thy gardens grow.
Thy will be done in our cities,
as it is in nature.
Thanks be this day
for food, and air, and water.
Forgive us our sins against Earth,
as we are learning to forgive one another.
And surrender us not unto extinction,
but deliver us from our folly.
For thine is the beauty, and the power,
and all life, from birth to death,
from beginning to end. Amen.
So be it.
Forever.
Blessed be. (Henry Horton/lp)
PARTING
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Star-Child, Earth-Child” 40(ii) COC
Star-Child, earth-Child
go-between of God,
love Child, Christ Child,
heaven's lightning rod,
Refrain:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Street child, beat child
no place left to go,
hurt child, used child,
no one wants to know,
Refrain:
Grown child, old child,
mem'ry full of years,
sad child, lost child,
story told in tears,
Refrain:
Remain standing
Parting Words
Mysterious God, confounding our expectations
meeting us where we least expect to find you...
All Stay with us now.
Child of the manger,
healing our pain, sharing our weakness...
All Stay with us now.
Source of life,
birth of God within our own experience...
All Stay with us now.
Stay with us in our frailty
stay with us on our journey...
All Walk beside us, live within us,
lead us to glory, lead us home. (cfc/Iona)
Words of Blessing
And may the God of Christmas fill your hearts
with all joy and peace in believing!
All May it be so!
The blessing of the manger, God's creation all around.
The blessing of the shepherds, God's people with feet on the ground.
The blessing of the angels, good news for all, and peace for the world...
Be with you all now and for ever.
All Amen. May it be so!
OR
May this Christmas be for each of us, a time of moving
beyond reason to wonder,
beyond grasping to letting go,
and beyond competition to co-operation,
In the power of the Babe of Bethlehem. (William L Wallace/wob)
All Amen. May it be so.
Hymn/Song (Cont.) “Star-Child, Earth-Child” 40(ii) COC
Spared child, spoiled child,
having, wanting more,
wise child, faith child
knowing joy in store,
Refrain:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Hope-for-peace Child,
God's stupendous sign,
down-to-earth Child,
star of stars that shine,
Refrain: Shirley Erena Murray
The people sit after the hymn
Recessional Music
You are invited to keep this copy of the liturgy and take it home with you
to share with another member of your family, or with a friend
Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate
Some of the Resources used in Shaping this Liturgy:
(AA) Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and Songs for all Churches. Raumati: New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1993.
(COC) Carol our Christmas. A Book of New Zealand Carols. Raumati: New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1996.
Duncan, G. (ed). A World of Blessing. Benedictions From Every Continent and Many Cultures. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2000.
(FSSC) Haddon, G. P. Feminist Sacred Songs for Christmas. Scotland: Plus Publications, 1994.
Harris, J. & I. (ed). The Ephesus Liturgies. Vol. 2. Eastbourne: Makaro Press, 2015.
Holmes, R. H. The Bob Holmes Worship Materials. Vol 1. Little Falls. Self published, 1972.
Inclusive Readings. Year C. Brisbane: Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2006.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond: Spectrum Publications, 1996.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Life Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Blessings, and Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey. New York. HarperCollins, 1996.
Seaburg, C. (ed). Celebrating Christmas. An Anthology. Boston: UUMA, 1983.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston: UUA, 1993.
(SNS2) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 2. Toronto: G Stuart, 2009.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney: HarperCollins Religious, 1999.
Vosper, G. Holy Breath. Prayers for Worship and Reflection. New & Revised edition. Brisbane: The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2004/2010.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
(FACC) Wheeler, J. Five Australian Christmas Carols. London: Chappell & Co. 1948
Wild Goose Worship Group. Cloth for the Cradle. Worship Resources and Readings for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany. Glasgow: Iona Community, 1997.
Web sites/Other:
Hill, Killoran. UUA Worship Web. Boston. http://uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/index.php
Andrew Pratt "Christmas is Real". Andrew Pratt Hymns and Words blog site. UK. <http://hymnsandbooks.blogspot.com/>
Robert Faser. "Christmas Bowl". 2003. In circulation direct from the author.
Faith Works. Boston: UUA. John Storey. “Around the Crib” in Celebrating Christmas in Song. Thirteen New Carols. Boston. UUA, 1983
Jim Burklo. “Christmas is…” Musings. 17 December 2020