Holy Family, Refugee Family
Service Prayers for Christmas Season, Year A

This service is based on readings traditionally used in Year A for the Sunday after Christmas.  This year, however, the Sunday after Christmas is New Year’s Day, so these readings are not used.  Because of the relevance of the story of the “Holy Innocents” in this moment of history, we offer the service as a resource to consider for use some time in the Christmas season. 
                     
This story from Matthew’s gospel often strikes a dissonant note in the midst of Christmas celebrations, but it offers an opportunity to reflect on the similarities of the world and the times Jesus was born into, and our own.  Where do we seek the Christ Child today?

Call to Worship  (Psalm 148; translation adapted from Common English Bible)

One:	Praise God!
Many:	Praise God from heaven!
    Praise God on the heights!
Praise God, all you messengers!
    Praise God, all you heavenly forces!
Sun and moon, praise God!
    All of you bright stars, praise God!
God set them in place always and forever.
    God made a law that will not be broken.
Praise God from the earth,
    you sea monsters and all you ocean depths!
 Do the same, you animals—wild or tame—
    you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly!
Do the same, you rulers and every single person,
    you princes and every single ruler on earth!
Do the same, you young ones!—
    and you who are old together with you who are young!
Let all of these praise God’s name
    because only God’s name is high over earth and heaven.
God raised the strength of the people,
    the praise of all the faithful ones….
Praise God !	

Invocation  (Psalm 148; Hebrews 2: 10-18)	
	Creator,
	The world you have made 
is powerful and dangerous, 
diverse and beautiful.
	By praising your goodness in all creation, 
we creatures learn our place and know our strength.
	Open us here to recognize the One you sent
into this complicated world, 
Jesus--Holy One, Human One, Vulnerable Child—
At home wherever 
there is rejoicing, or struggle, or anguish, or hope.
Teach us to follow Jesus 
along the paths of praise and service
which lead to You.

Call to Confession   (Matthew 2: 13-23)
Holy One,
You sent Jesus into a world where 
 	children are at risk; 
where they, Holy Innocents, suffer,
And their parents, like Rachel, weep for them.

	When we forget that
The Holy Family was a poor family:
		Lord, have mercy.

When we forget that
The Holy Family was a refugee family:
		Christ, have mercy.

When we forget that
The Holy Family was an immigrant family:
		Lord, have mercy.

(a moment of silent prayer)

Forgive us, O God, 
and lead us to recognize your Holy Child in the places of greatest need.

Song Suggestion:	Star Child			Sing! Prayer and Praise 174

Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news:  Jesus, savior from sin, is present with us 
		in the painstaking work of the Reign of God  
		opening our hearts and our eyes, rebuilding our relationships, 
restoring our joy.  
Let us celebrate this great grace by offering to one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

Passing the Peace

Call to Offering (Isaiah 63:7)
God is all about abundance:
love that never wavers, 
mercy that never fails. 
Let us offer our gifts generously, 
and in abundant love, 
as a thanksgiving to God.

Prayer of Dedication
	With these gifts, dear God, 
	accept the praise and thanksgiving of our hearts, 
	which rejoice in your goodness and love. 
	Let our gifts point to your presence in the world,
	And do your transforming work 
among all who are vulnerable and in need.                             Amen.
	
Benediction
Let us go forth with eyes to see and ears to hear and voices to proclaim: 
		In the work of justice: Christ!
		In the practice of mercy: Christ!
		In good news for the poor: Christ!
		In the vision of peace: Christ!			Amen! Thanks be to God!

Holy Family, Refugee Family, Service Prayers Christmas Season, Year A, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Faith Formation; Curator for Worship and Liturgical Arts, Local Church Ministries.

Copyright 2013 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.