December 25th, 2004. The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas, mastering the day.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of

him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation,

and saying to Zion, Your God is king. Hark, your sentinels raise a cry. Together they shout for joy,

for they see directly before their eyes the Lord restoring Zion.

Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem.

For the Lord comforts his people.

He redeems Jerusalem.

The Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations.

All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

The Word of the Lord.

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

His right hand has won victory for him, his holy all. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

The Lord has made his salvation known. In the sight of the nations, he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the saving power of God.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord,

all you lands break into song, sing praise.

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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