SHORES OF THE UTMOST WEST

Sunday 20th December 2026 — Advent 4b

• Hills of the North, Rejoice — A&M 39; HOAN 209
• Congregational reading with named parts (see booklet below)
  • Luke
  • Angel
  • Zechariah
  • Elizabeth
  • Mary
• Bless the Lord, my soul (Taize) — A&M 600; HOAN 61
• Tell Out My Soul — A&M 394; HOAN 467
• The Lord is my Light (Taize) — HOAN 486
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel — A&M 45; HOAN 358
• Intercessions (please use the outline below)
• The Eucharistic prayer with Israeli Sanctus (said or sung)
• The Agnus Dei (said or sung)
• Communion is shared in silence
• It Came Upon a Midnight Clear — A&M 70; HOAN 253

GOSPEL OF THE NATIVITY SERVICE BOOKLET

Intercessions for Today’s Service

Hills of the North, rejoice,
river and mountain-spring,
hark to the advent voice;
valley and lowland, sing.
Christ comes in righteousness and love,
he brings salvation from above.

God of righteousness and love, we pray for your Church throughout the world. As once the angels carried good news and the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem, make us bearers of the news that Christ has come among us. Let every hill and valley, every city and village, every church and home hear again the Advent voice and rejoice.

Silence

Living God:
let your kingdom come.

Isles of the southern seas,
sing to the listening earth,
carry on every breeze
hope of a world’s new birth:
in Christ shall all be made anew,
his word is sure, his promise true.

God of new beginnings, we pray for your world: for nations at war, people driven from their homes, communities divided by hatred, and all who hunger for justice and peace. Let the song of the angels be heard above the noise of violence, and give to this listening earth the hope of a world made new.

Silence

Living God:
let your kingdom come.

Lands of the East, arise,
he is your brightest morn,
greet him with joyous eyes,
praise shall his path adorn:
Your seers have longed to know their Lord;
to you he comes, the final word.

God of light, we pray for those with whom we will share these Christmas days: our families and friends, our neighbours and communities, those we welcome and those we miss. Open our eyes to recognise Christ in one another, and let kindness, generosity, laughter and praise brighten our homes.

Silence

Living God:
let your kingdom come.

Shores of the utmost West,
lands of the setting sun,
welcome the heavenly guest
in whom the dawn has come:
He brings a never-ending light
who triumphed o’er our darkest night.

God who comes into the darkness, we pray for those for whom Christmas is difficult: those who are ill, anxious, lonely or afraid; those facing an empty chair or an uncertain future; those for whom the night feels long. Come close to them with the tenderness of the child of Bethlehem, and kindle your never-ending light in their darkness.

Silence

Living God:
let your kingdom come.

Shout, as you journey home,
songs be in every mouth,
lo, from the North they come,
from East and West and South:
In Jesus all shall find their rest,
in him the universe be blest.

God who gathers us home, we remember those who have died, especially those whose absence will be felt this Christmas. Gather them into your everlasting rest. Gather us, with people of every nation and generation, around the child of Bethlehem, until the whole creation finds its home in Christ and the song begun by angels is sung by all the earth.

Silence

Living God:
let your kingdom come.

God of all the earth, from North and South, from East and West, you call your children home. We thank you for Jesus Christ: our heavenly guest, our brightest morning, our hope of new birth, our light in the darkness, and our everlasting home.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.