THREE INVITATIONS, or CHALLENGES, FOR DECEMBER:

1: Reflect: during this month, dedicate a time to reflect on the ways in which faith is transmitted in your community, the language and methods used and in particular how it is received by younger people.

2: Accept the challenge of helping others in your family, and parish community, to prepare for Christmas, meditating on the Word of God, devoting time to prayer and to the central theme of this liturgical time; how can you adapt your language to touch them with the good news that does not change?

3: Make a point of spending time with family and friends to talk and reflect about the meaning of Christmas, the meaning of the manger and the presence of Jesus in everyone's life, especially at home. It can so easily get lost in the rush of these December weeks.

Prayers for December

The Angelus

Traditionally said three times a day: 6am, 12noon and 6pm.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, 

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. 

Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary.

V. And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray;

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, 

thy grace into our hearts; 

that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son, 

was made known by the message of an angel, 

may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. 

Through the same Christ, our Lord. 

Amen

We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God.

Despise not our petitions in our necessities,

but deliver us always from all dangers

O glorious and blessed Virgin.

This prayer, first found in c. 300, is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin.

Prayer to Holy Michael, Archangel

Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. 

Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. 

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; 

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, 

by the power of God cast into hell Satan 

and all the evil spirits 

who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The Great ‘O Antiphons’

17th December

O WISDOM you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong but gentle manner. Come and teach us the way of truth

18th December

O ADONAI and Leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave the Law on Sinai. O Come and save us with your mighty power.

19th December

O STOCK OF JESSE, you stand as a signal for the nations. Kings fall silent before you whom the people acclaim. O Come, deliver us and do not delay.

20th December

O KEY OF DAVID and sceptre of Israel what you open no-one can close again: what you close no one can open. Come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

21st December

O RISING SUN, you are the splendour of eternal light and the Sun of Justice. O Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

22nd December

O KING whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone that makes all one. O Come and save mankind whom you have made of clay.

23rd December

O EMMANUEL, you are our King and Judge, the one whom the peoples await and their Saviour. O Come and save us, Lord our God.

As we begin our preparations to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, we take a moment of reflection to think about Liz Jones & her family, as they prepare to say their final goodbyes this week! May the Hope Candle, lit today, give them all hope for the future! Luv from Mrs F 💕💕