O Unicorn

Holy One, open our lips:

and we shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;*

as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.  Amen.

PSALMODY

OPENING

O come, O come, thou unicorn,

appearing in our dreams, lovelorn,

expectant, quiv’ring, innocent,

wild messenger with God’s intent.

Rejoice! Rejoice! The Spirit shyThe

shall be one night a new born cry.

From Psalm 9, Confitebor Tibi

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with |my whole heart; * 


I will tell of all your mar-|vellous works.

I will be glad and re-|joice in you; * 


I will sing to your name, |O Most High.

It is you who rules the |world with righteousness; *

you judge the peo-|ples with equity.

It is you who rules the |world with righteousness; * 


you judge the peo-|ples with equity.

You will be a refuge for |the oppressed, * 


a refuge in |time of trouble.

Those who know your name will put their |trust in you, * 


for you never forsake those who seek |you, O Lord.

Sing praise to the Lord who |dwells in Zion; * 


proclaim to the peoples the things |God has done.

For the needy shall not always |be forgotten, * 


and the hope of the poor shall not per-|ish for ever.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*


as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Closing

Reading – John 5.31-40

‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s.

The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

SILENCE

Responsory

There is a longing, deep within us,

to be with you, O God.


We are expectant

of your coming to walk the earth.

BENEDICTUS

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*

for he has come to his people and set them free.


He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*

born of the house of his servant David.


Through his holy prophets he promised of old* 


that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us.


He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*

and to remember his holy covenant.


This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:* 


to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,*


holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.


You my child shall be called the prophet of the Most High,*


for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,


to give his people knowledge of salvation*

by the forgiveness of all their sins.


In the tender compassion of our God*

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,


to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,*
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.


Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*


as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.


Christ, have mercy upon us.


Lord, have mercy upon us.

On this third Sunday in Advent,

we lift into the blessing of God’s compassionate gaze:

those who witness to God’s saving work

in places where this is dangerous;

all who preach;

for all who quietly hold on to a private faith.  Amen.

Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name, 


your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven. 


Give us today our daily bread. 


Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 


Do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from evil. 


For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, 


now and for ever. Amen.

Collect

Gracious God, as we wait in these silent days,

place in our hands the lamps of truth and love and courage,

that we may strive with those powers that rise in the darkness

until the desires of all our hearts are fulfilled in the Presence of Jesus. Amen.

Blessing

As we go from this place,

help us to remember that we are cradled in your loving hand,

developing alongside our brother, Jesus

and gifted with life by your Holy breath. Amen.