Readings (Click the links to see the readings)

Isaiah 40.1-11 | Ps 96.7-13 | Matthew 18.12-14

The stable
Sr. M. Chrysostom, OSB

The winds were scornful,
Passing by;
And gathering Angels
Wondered why A burdened Mother
Did not mind
That only animals
Were kind. For who in all the world
Could guess
That God would search out
Loneliness.
— in Robert, Cyril. Mary Immaculate: God's Mother and Mine. New York: Marist Press, 1946.

Prayer

O God
Who by a star
guided the wise men to the worship of your Son
we pray you to lead to yourself
the wise and great of every land
that unto you every knee may bow,
and every thought be brought into captivity
to Jesus Christ our Lord.

Justice, mercy and peace

The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change is a multi-faith, member-based organisation of people from around Australia who are committed to taking action on climate change. While celebrating the uniqueness of our different traditions, members stand together in working for an ecologically and socially sustainable future.

Carol of the birds
Lyrics by John Wheeler, music by William G. James, 1948
Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir

Out on the plains the brolgas are dancing
Lifting their feet like war horses prancing,
up to the sun the woodlarks 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 the wattle tree bowers.
In the blue ranges lorikeets calling;
Carols of bushbirds rising and falling:
Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day.