Day Seven — 31 December

The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us. O come, let us worship. Alleluia

John Wyclif, translator of the Bible (d. 1384)

Readings (Click the links to see the readings)

1 John 2.18-21 | Psalm 96.10-13 | John 1.1-18

New Year's Eve Ecclesiastes 3.1-13 | Psalm 46 or Psalm 62 | James 3.13-18 | Luke 12.35-40 |

Manger Square

Manger Square, Bethlehem, separated from its land behind the wall.

Wall

The story of the birth of Jesus told by the people of Bethlehem. Made by St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand. The music is an instrumental version of Fink's Sort Of Revolution.

Let the just rejoice
Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-440)

Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

Prayer

God of all time,
who makes all things new,
we bring before you the year now ending.
For life full and good,
for opportunities recognized and taken,
for love known and shared,
we thank You.
Where we have fallen short,
forgive us.
When we worry over what is past,
free us.
As we begin again
and take our first few steps into the future,
where nothing is safe and certain,
except you,
we ask for the courage of the wise men
who simply went and followed a star.
We ask for their wisdom,
in choosing to pursue the deepest truth,
not knowing where they would be led
In the year to come, God of all time,
be our help and company.
Hold our hands as we journey onwards
and may your dream of shalom,
where all will be at Peace,
be our guiding star.
—Francis Brienen

May the Lord, who has called out of darkness into his marvellous light, bless us and fill us with peace. Amen.

St Philip's Anglican Church,
cnr Moorhouse and Macpherson Streets, O'Connor, ACT 2602.