We who were in darkness and shadow have found the truth

"Our Savior the dayspring of the East has visited us from on high; and we who were in darkness and shadow have found the truth, for the Lord is born of a Virgin."


The Exapostilarion of the Nativity of Christ

Jonathans favourite song

Always gets smiles and dancing

Taize Christmas

Jesus, Son of the living God, splendor of the Father, eternal light.
—Lord, we praise you!

Jesus, King of glory, Sun of justice, son of the Virgin Mary.
—Lord, we praise you!

Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Lord, Prince of Peace.
—Lord, we praise you!

Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, our help and our refuge.
—Lord, we praise you!

Jesus, God of peace, friend of all, source of life and of holiness.
—Lord, we praise you!

Jesus, brother of the poor, goodness without measure, inexhaustible wisdom.
—Lord, we praise you!

Jesus, good shepherd, true light, our way and our life.
—Lord, we praise you!

Karl Barth Christmas prayer

Dear heavenly Father, because we are here with one another in order to rejoice over the fact that your dear Son for us became a human and our brother, we earnestly beg of you to tell us your self what great grace, well being, and help you have prepared for all of us in him.
Open our ears and our understanding, in order that we may grasp that in him there is forgiveness for all our sins, the seed and strength of a new life, comfort and admonition in life and in death, and hope for the whole world! Create in us the good spirit of freedom humbly and bravely to come to your Son, who comes to us!
Do this today in all of Christendom and in the world, that there may be many who break through all of the vain externalities of these festive days and celebrate a good Christmas with us. Amen

Karl Barth, Fifty Prayers

O Come and ransom

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

On this day the virgin bears the transcendent

On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcedent in Essence, to the Unapproachable the earth doth offer a small cave. Angel join in choiring with shepherds in giving glory, with a star the Magi travel upon their journey, for our sakes is born a young Child, He that existed before the ages as God.

Taize Christmas

O Christ, the prophets foretold your coming, the poor longed to see you.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

The heavens celebrated your birth; the apostles, the martyrs and the faithful down through the ages repeated the song of the angels.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

Your Church praises you in every human language, for she has seen your salvation.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

Son of God, you humbled yourself and became a servant, raising us up to share in your glory.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

We were in darkness and you have given us light and strength, peace and joy.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

Lead us according to your loving will; make us a people who follow you in holiness.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

Give us generous hearts to hear your Word and produce in us abundant fruit.
—Our heart finds joy in God.

(From the Taize website)