Be ready for Baby Jesus

We three Kings of Orient Are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem plain, Gold I bring to crown him again, King for ever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign. O Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a deity nigh, Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship him, God most high. O Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in a stone-cold tomb. O Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light

Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and sacrifice; Alleluia, alleluia, Earth to heaven replies. O Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light

THE INTRODUCTORY RITE In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The priest greets the people: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

The Penitential Act I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my most grievous fault: Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, All the Angels and Saints, And you, my brothers and sisters, To pray for me to the Lord our God

Lord, have mercy Lord have mercy Christ, have mercy Christ have mercy

The First Reading – Isaiah 40:3 THE LITURGY OF THE WORD The First Reading – Isaiah 40:3 At the end of the first Reading: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Responsorial Psalm – 122: 1-2, 3-4 , 4-5 Response Jesus, our Lord, we will be ready for you

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia Someone is coming after me and he is much more important than I am. Alleluia

THE GOSPEL The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Matthew 1 18:21 A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew Glory to you, O Lord. At the end of the Gospel The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

THE BIDDING PRAYERS The response to each of the prayers is: Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Prayers At the end of the prayers, we say together: Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST  The Offertory Children will bring an apple, a star, a lion, a lily and a saw as symbols of the ancestry of Jesus. The bread and wine are prepared on the altar Pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just.

The priest says the Preface Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The mystery of faith We proclaim your Death, O Lord, And profess your Resurrection Until you come again

Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever. AMEN

THE RITE OF COMMUNION The priest invites all to say the Lord's Prayer. 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.

The priest continues. Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, .... our Saviour, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.

The Peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit. Let us offer each other the sign of peace. We greet one another in the peace of Christ

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

The priest shows the host - the body of Christ - to us and says: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion Music

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. Thanks be to God.

Closing Hymn Away in a Manger Away in a manger, No crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus Laid down his sweet head, The stars in the bright sky Looked down where he lay, Asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, The baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus No crying he makes, I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my side Until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever, And love me I pray. Bless all the dear children In thy tender care, And fit us for heaven To live with you there.