Shape us in this season of Advent in readiness for the Word made flesh. Through the grace of hope we pledge ourselves to confront injustice.

That day the eyes of the blind will see

Entrance antiphon

Behold, the Lord will comedescending with splendour to visit his people with peace, and he will bestow on them eternal life.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: AmenWe Gather

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And with your spirit. We Gather

Christ is with us, as He promised—present in the assembly of His people, in the proclamation of God’s Word, and in the Communion

of His Body and Blood. Let us reflect on the Word together then share in Christ’s Body and Blood.

You raised the dead to life in the spirit, Lord have mercy

All:Lord have mercyPenitential act

You bring pardon and peace to sinners, Christ have mercy.

All: Christ have mercyPenitential act

You bring light to those in darkness, Lord have mercy

All:Lord have mercy

Penitential act

Collect

Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come, that with you to protect us,we may find rescue from the pressing dangers of our sins, and with you to set us free, we may be found worthy of salvation. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

The First Reading

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 29:17-24

The Lord says this:In a short time, a very short time, shall not Lebanon

become fertile landand fertile land turn into forest? The deaf, that day, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.

But the lowly will rejoice in the Lord even more and the poorest exult in the Holy One of Israel; for tyrants shall be no more, and scoffers vanish,and all be destroyed who are

disposed to do evil: those who gossip to incriminate others,those who try at the gate to trip the arbitrator and get the upright man’s case dismissed for groundless reasons.

Therefore the Lord speaks,the God of the House of Jacob,Abraham’s redeemer: No longer shall Jacob be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale, for he shall

see what my hands have done in his midst, he shall hold my name holy. They will hallow the Holy One of Jacob, stand in awe of the God of Israel.Erring spirits will learn

Wisdom and murmurers accept instruction.

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

The Lord is my light and my help.

The Psalm

The Lord is my light and my help;whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?

The Psalm

The Lord is my light and my help.

The Psalm

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.

The Psalm

The Lord is my light and my help.

The Psalm

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.Hope in the Lord!

The Psalm

The Lord is my light and my help.

The Psalm

Alleluia, alleluia!Send victory like a dew, you heavens, and let the clouds rain it down. Let the earth open and bring forth the saviour. Alleluia! Gospel Acclamation

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit. A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:27-31

Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel

As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he

said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight

returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside.

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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 thosewho trespass

against us.

And lead us not into

temptation,but deliver us

from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,

and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen

Let us offer each other the sign of peace

We Share God’s Peace

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

Fraction of the Bread

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.

Invitation to Communion

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Invitation to Communion

Prayer for the earthGod of love, teach us to care for this world, our common home. Inspire government leaders as they gather in Paris:

to listen to and heed the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor; to be united in heart and mind in responding courageously; to seek the common good and protect

the beautiful earthly garden you have created for us, for all our brothers and sisters, for all generations to come. Amen

Complete within us, Lord, the healing work of your mercy, and that we who have been nourished by the Bread from Heaven, may be one in heart and mind. Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

All: AmenFinal Blessing

May almighty God bless you,the Father, and the Son,and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.Final Blessing

Let us go in peace, glorifying the Lord by our lives.

All: Thanks be to God.Dismissal