Gloria Ssali (Dinka people) The Annunciation — Our Lady of the South Sudan.

The Sussex carol, first published in 1684 by Luke Wadding, an Irish bishop; rediscovered and written down by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who heard it being sung a lady in Sussex. Played by Allan Alexander.

On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear what news those angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our Saviour King's own birth.

Reflection

All you big things, bless the Lord
Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria
The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain
Fat baobabs and shady mango trees
All eucalyptus and tamarind trees
Bless the Lord
Praise and extol him for ever and ever.
All you tiny things, bless the Lord
Busy black ants and hopping fleas
Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae
Flying locusts and water drops
Pollen dust and tsetse flies
Millet seeds and dried dagaa
Bless the Lord
Praise and extol him for ever and ever. —An African canticle, quoted in 2000 Years of Prayer, compiled by Michael Counsell. Morehouse Publishing, 1999.

Prayer

Almighty God and Father of light, a child is born to us an a Son is given to us. Your eternal Word leapt down from heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearness of God. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
—International Committee on English in the Liturgy