Opening Responses
(These could be accompanied by some ritual – or a series of images on screen)
 

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,
Wonderful is your counsel and great is your wisdom.

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,
Come and show your people the way to salvation.

O Adonai, O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
you judge the poor with justice.              

O Adonai, O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

O Flower of Jesse’s stem, raised up as a sign for all peoples.
From the root of the stump of Jesse, a shoot has sprung
and from his roots a bud has blossomed.              

O Flower of Jesse’s stem, raised up as a sign for all peoples
come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

O Key of David, all that you open remains open,
all that you close remains closed.

O Key of David, come, break down the prison walls
and lead your captive people into freedom.

O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice,
your light shines upon the lands of gloom.

O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice,
come, shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.

O King of all the nations, the keystone which makes all of us one,
the stone rejected by the builder who has become the cornerstone.

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations,
Saviour of all people.

shine this night on those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death.

a young woman with child will bear a son
and she will name him Emmanuel –
and all generations will call her blessed,
for the almighty works marvels.
and holy is god’s name.

© 2007 Wellspring