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Presider’s Page for 4 January (Second Sunday of Christmas)

We gather to celebrate the first Sunday of 2026, with thankfulness for the year and the decade just finished. We ask God for continuing care and protection as face this New Year, not knowing what it will bring.

Penitential Rite
Confident that God’s mercy has no end, we remember our sins: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father: Lord, have mercy

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God most high,
your only Son embraced the weakness of our flesh
to give us the power to become your children;
your eternal Word chose to dwell among us,
that we might live in your presence.
Grant us a spirit of wisdom
to know how rich is the glory you have made our own,
and how great the hope to which we are called
in Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendour of eternal light,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Ecclesiasticus 24: 1-2, 8-12 — Wisdom will pitch her tent among the chosen people, predicts the author of Ecclesiasticus. This saying came true when the Word became flesh in Jesus. We are reminded of this in the response to the psalm which follows.
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 — As God’s children, we are chosen to share in divine wisdom, a wisdom that reached its fullness in Christ.
John 1:1-18 — The Gospel of Christmas Day is repeated, to reinforce the simple yet profound message: The Word became flesh

BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to God, who in Jesus was made flesh.

  1. That all men and women of goodwill may see the full beauty of God, revealed in Jesus (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. That dialogue among people of different faiths may produce peace and justice (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. That those who claim the name of Christian may accept the mystery of Jesus, human and divine (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. That this New Year may bring peace to the nations of the Middle East (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. That refugees and all homeless people may be protected from danger (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. That in this 2,026th year of our Saviour, all of us may have the grace and courage to make a new start together (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For those who have died (especially N and N), that perpetual light may shine on them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, your Word reveals your care and compassion: receive the prayers we make, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
as we recall the birth of your only Son,
make holy the gifts we bring,
for his coming shows us the way of truth
and promises life in the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

PREFACE: Christmas II
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the great mystery of his birth,
the God we cannot see
has now appeared in human form.
The one begotten before all ages
begins to live in time.
He has come to raise the fallen world,
to make creation whole again,
and to lead humanity from exile
back to your heavenly kingdom.
And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise: Holy, holy, holy.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (from 1998 ICEL Missal, with interpolation for Sunday morning)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
[In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:]
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ

Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..

Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with LEO our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.

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

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord our God,
let the workings of this holy mystery
rid us of all that is evil
and bring to fulfilment
those things for which we rightly yearn.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING: Beginning of the New Year
May God, the source of every blessing,
grant you the fullness of grace
and keep you safe throughout the coming year.
R. Amen.
May God safeguard the purity of your faith,
give you an unwavering hope
and a love that patiently endures to the end.
R. Amen.
May God order your works and days in peace,
listen to your every prayer,
and lead you safely to eternal life.
R. Amen.
A May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.

Suggested Songs  Christmas Carols, ‘Christ be our Light’.

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