Distribution of Holy Communion
to
____________________
from
____________________
of
and
The Episcopal Diocese of
on
Christmas
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One
The Greeting
Visitor: Behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you
is born this day in the city of
Response: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
The Collect for Purity
Visitor: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord.
Together: Amen.
The New Commandments
Visitor: Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Mercy
Visitor: Lord, have mercy upon us.
Response: Christ, have mercy upon us.
Visitor: Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Gloria
Together: Glory be to
God on high,
and on earth peace, good will towards men.
We praise thee, we bless thee, we
worship thee,
We glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son,
Jesus Christ;
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
That takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of
the world,
receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand
of God the Father,
have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only
art the Lord;
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
The Collect for Christmas
Visitor: The Lord be with you.
Response: And with thy spirit.
Visitor: Let us pray.
O God you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit, he lives and reigns one God, in glory everlasting.
Response: Amen.
The Old Testament Lesson for Christmas
Visitor: A
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - On them the light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The Word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm for Christmas
Visitor: Let us say together Psalm 50:1-6
Together: O sing to
the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the
nations,
His marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly
to be praised;
He is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are
idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the lord, O families of
the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due
his name;
Bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
Tremble before him all the earth.
Say among the nations, "The
Lord is king!
The world is firmly established;
it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.
Let the heavens be glad, and let
the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
Let the fields exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the
forest sing for joy before the Lord;
For he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with
righteousness,
And the peoples with his truth.
The Gloria Patri
Together: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
The New Testament Lesson for Christmas
Visitor: A
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
The Word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
A Sequence Hymn for Christmas
Visitor: Let us read hymn 96
Together: Angels we have heard on high,singing sweetly through the night, and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer? What great brightness did you see? What glad tidings did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Come to
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
See him in a manger laid whom the angels praise above; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise our hearts in love.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The Gospel for Christmas
Visitor: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (2:1-20)
Response: Glory be to thee, O Lord.
Visitor: In those
days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was
governor of
Joseph also went from the town of
In that region there were
shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then
the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. But the angel of the Lord said to them, "Do
not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the
people: to you is born this day in the city of
When the angels had left them and
gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to
The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Nicene Creed
Visitor: Let us say together the Nicene Creed
Together: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the
Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the
Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken
through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We
acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
The Prayers of the People
Visitor: __________, Sometimes it is hard to put words to our prayers and remember all our concerns. Know that God is Love and if we open our loving hearts to Him, then our prayers are known and readily received by God.
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church and the world.
Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: Receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers, especially our Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, our Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, and our own Rector of St. Paul's Parish in Maumee, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to __________ and I; that, with meek heart and due reverence, we may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life.
We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and every land especially the Governor of our State of Ohio, and the President of our United States of America, that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor __________'s and my friends and loved ones and all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear especially __________, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of all thy saints, that with all of them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.
Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate
Together: Amen.
The Confession of Sin
Visitor: Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly saying…
Together: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Visitor: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hatch promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Together: Amen.
The Comfortable Words
Visitor:
Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him.
Come unto me, all ye that travail
and are heavy laden,
and I will refresh you.
God so loved the world, that he
gave his only-begotten Son,
to the end that all that believe in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
The Peace
Visitor: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Response: And with thy spirit.
The Great Thanksgiving
(The Visitor prepares the Table)
A Communion Hymn
Visitor: Let us read hymn 306
Come risen Lord, and deign to be our guest; nay, let us be thy guests; the feast is thine; thyself at thine own board make manifest in thine own Sacrament of Bread and Wine.
We meet, as in that upper room they met; thou at the table, blessing, yet dost stand: "This is my Body"; so thou givest yet: faith still receives the cup as from thy hand.
One body we, one Body who partake, one Church united in communion blest; one Name we bear, one Bread of life we break, with all thy saints on earth and saints at rest.
One with each other, Lord, for one in thee, who art one Savior and one living Head; then open thou our eyes, that we may see; be known to us in breaking of the Bread.
The Lord's Prayer
Visitor: Let us pray in the words our Savior Christ hath taught us.
Together: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.
Amen.
Visitor: These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving
__________, This is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
__________, This is the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
__________, You have received the Bread of Heaven and the Cup of Salvation.
Together: Amen.
(The Visitor secures the Elements)
The Post Communion Prayer
Visitor: Let us pray
Together: Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.
A Communion Hymn
Visitor: Let us read hymn 344
Lord dismiss us with thy blessing;
fill our hearts with joy and peace; Let us each, thy love possessing, triumph
in redeeming grace:
O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Thanks we give and adoration for
thy gospel's joyful sound: May the fruits of thy salvation in our hearts and
lives abound:
Ever faithful, ever faithful to thy truth may we be found;
So that when thy love shall call
us, Savior, from the world away, Fear of death shall not appall us, glad thy
summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever reign with thee in endless day.
The Blessing
Visitor: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst us, and remain with us always.
Together: Amen.
The Dismissal
Visitor: Let us bless the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Download and print Distribution of Holy Communion for Christmas.
As a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, I, Dave Watts, celebrated Holy Communion with Alice
Spaulding on a monthly basis from October 20, 1996 to October 19, 2003.
Alice loved the Lord, His church, Holy Scripture and the Hymns. Alice had a
childlike, exuberant, and thankful joy when she celebrated Holy Communion. This
'Distribution of Holy Communion For Christmas' was created for and is dedicated
to dear Alice.
Read by David Watts
Graphics are from my licensed copy of the beautiful ClickArt Christian Graphics Collection. But they are the intellectual property of the T/Maker Company of Broderbund Software. To use the graphics obtain your licensed copy at ClickArt.
This page last updated on 3-24-2024.