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Peace be with you - in these so different times. We'd like to wish you a blessed and peaceful Christmas season. May the light of the Holy Three (like Elizabeth of the Trinity used to call God) in the birth of Jesus give you comfort and joy.

Facing still restrictions on gatherings and singing in public we thought you might want to have a collection of Christmas songs published by OCP (the publisher of our hymnal Glory and Praise). Thankfully, OCP set up a song list on youtube, so everybody is able to listen to and sing along some songs.

Playlist Christmas

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When we take into prayer what we see, what we know, what remains hidden from us, we put everything in God's hands.

We keep silence after every intention.

We ask God:

Today, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, we think of the children.

They get to know a world that we would love to spare them and ourselves.

But their laughter is so contagious that the shadows that lurk over our days flee.

- Silence.

Today we think of the elderly in the homes.

They have to accept restrictions.

Sometimes even visits are scary.

A great deal of uncertainty is spreading.

But when they smile, the carers are happy too.

Today we think of the people who work in intensive care units.

They fight death for others.

They suffer particularly when they can no longer help.

They have to hide their friendliness behind masks.

 - Silence.

Today we think of the politicians.

Many expectations rest on them.

They cannot meet them.

There is also criticism from all sides.

You mustn't make mistakes.

They always have to be friendly.

- Silence.

Today we think of business people and innkeepers.

The lockdown is troubling them and their employees.

Many are afraid of not making it.

Many a life's work is in danger.

Nevertheless, they even encourage others.

- Silence.

Today, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, we command you all people, their stories, worries, and pains.

And we also command our lives to you, our families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

Let the light grow between us.

Like the light on our Advent wreaths.

Give us the kind of joy that we can share.

In Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

Jesus Christ calls on his disciples to be vigilant.

In Advent we prepare for his arrival

and take care of people

who particularly need our company and support.

We want to pay close attention to them.

Intentions:

We pray for the families, the young and the old,

who open their hearts to one another in Advent

and for the people they meet.

For this we pray: Lord hear our prayer

For the many people who are sick with Covid19;

for those suffering from the harshness of lockdown;

for the workers in clinics, nursing homes and health authorities,

who go to the limits of their resilience in action for those in need.

For this we pray: Lord hear our prayer

We pray for all people who are fleeing war and persecution

risk their lives

for all who drowned in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic;

for the men, women and children in the camps,

who hope for a peaceful and secure future.

For this we pray: Lord hear our prayer

We pray for the people who have suffered sexual violence

in families, in church or elsewhere;

for those who respectfully listen to those affected;

and for everyone who advocates transparency and investigation of crimes.

For this we pray: Lord hear our prayer

For those who have died from the pandemic and all the dead,

for their families and all who mourn them;

for everyone who is afraid of the loneliness during Advent

and hope for attention.

For this we pray: Lord hear our prayer

We pray for the people on the fringes of our society

who lack a roof over their heads and a hot meal;

for those who want their home

lost due to tropical storms or other natural disasters.

For this we pray: Lord hear our prayer

 

Closing prayer:

Lord, we don't know the day and hour when you are coming;

let's not freeze in fear of the many problems

but recognize the signs of the times with your help

and act lovingly, now in Advent and always. Amen.

Cf: https://www.bistum-trier.de  -- Fürbitten zum 1. Advent