Glory be to God on high,

and on earth peace,

peace among those of good will.

We praise you, we bless you,

we give thanks for your great glory,

holy God, tender God, God our beloved creator.

 

Christ our desire 

only embodiment of God,

bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh,

foolishness of God, greater than human wisdom,

emptiness of God, full of redemption,

bearing away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Holy one, bearing away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Beloved one, bearing away the sin of the world,

receive our prayer.

 

For you alone are holy,

you alone our desire.

You alone, O Christ,

with the comforter of fire,

are radiant with the grace and glory of God most high.

 

Janet Morely, British poet and theologian

 

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For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.