Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition

‘The Other Lectionary’ is a suggested ‘southern hemisphere’ Lectionary (with a few Resources added) offered in parallel to, 
or even replacement of, the RCL which is in standard use by many.

A GATHERING LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE

“There is a need for the religious traditions… to appreciate that the primary sacred community
is the universe itself, and that every other community
becomes sacred by participation in this primary community”

25 December 2023. Christmas DayB. (White).

Christmas Day

Acknowledgement of Country/First Peoples
(An act towards reconciliation)

For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked
in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.

We acknowledge the (NN) People or the (NN) Nation, past, present, emerging,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.

First Peoples Statement to the Nation 2017 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both at Affirmations/Manifestoes

And we recognise and give thanks that we humans
are creatures of the Earth living in the ecosystem
—flowers, trees and insects; land, waters and mountain range—
that is unique to (NN).
May we honour one another and honour life itself.

(NN) is a safe place for all people to gather regardless of
race, creed, gender, cultural background or sexual orientation

GATHERING

Gathering Music

Rich and Striking Visuals
        “The function of beauty… is to make us aware of a reality which is richer 
          and deeper and more marvellous than anything we can dream or conceive.” (Henry N. Wieman)
          Artwork OR Floral/Symbols display (cloths, candles, stones, wood, leaves, flowers, earth, water) OR projection of Film/Video 

Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times

May the love and creativity that breathes life
into all humanity
and all of creation
All  Be born in us today.

Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit

On this (Australian) Christmas morning,
let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.

Hymn/Song  The people stand as they are able, to sing
"O Come All Ye Faithful"  (Tune: ‘Adeste Fideles’, Irreg.)                                                  23 FSSC
O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold this child born of Mary.
Refrain:
O come, let us adore them;
O come, let us adore them;
O come let us adore them;
Mother and child.

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all you messenger's of God's holy word.
Glory to God in-carnate, all glory.
Refrain:

Christ-child, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Born of the Woman Mary, glory given;
Word of creation, now in flesh appearing.  (Genia P Haddon/adapt)
Refrain:
People remain standing

OR

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!”  (Tune: Traditional)                                                   60 SiF
Good Christian friends, rejoice, 
with heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News!
All our dreams are born today.
Love has come to lead the way
and will with us forever stay,
Dreams are born today!
Dreams are born today!

Good Christian friends, rejoice, 
with heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy!
Every child was born for this.
Love has opened heaven’s door
and we are blest for evermore.
Joy is born today!
Joy is born today!

Good Christian friends, rejoice, 
with heart and soul and voice!
Wondrous news have we to tell:
Peace! Peace!
Love with us is born to dwell.
Born within, it outward grows
and then to all the world, it flows. 
Love is born today!
Love is born today!  (John Mason Neale, 1853, alt., Gretta Vosper, 2007)

Opening Sentences
On a gentle summer’s breeze, a peaceful Word is whispered,
All  From the mountain tops, a triumphant Word rings out,

From the depths of the ocean comes the roar of a mighty Word,
All  The birds sing out a joyous Word,

All of creation calls out the Word:
All  Jesus the Christ is born today, Hallelujah. (www.mccchurch.org)

Words of Awareness
Life is a gift for which we are grateful.
We gather in community
to celebrate the glories and
the mysteries of this great gift. (MMontgomery/slt)

OR

We pray:
Days of bright sunlight, clear blue skies and sunbaked earth,
colourful birds,
fiery bottle brush,
pastel jacaranda,
the fragrance of each season beneath the Southern Cross...

We offer our praise and thanks,
for Creativity God is in our midst.
May it be so with us.

Hymn/Song "Carol Our Christmas"  (Tune: Reversi)                                                              9 AA
Carol our Christmas,
an upside down Christmas;
snow is not falling and
trees are not bare.
Carol the summer, and
welcome the Christ Child,
warm in our sunshine and
sweetness of air.

Sing of the gold and the
green and the sparkle,
water and river and lure
of the beach.
Sing in the happiness
of open spaces,
sing a nativity summer
can reach!

Shepherds and musterers
move over hillsides,
finding, not angels,
but sheep to be shorn;
wise ones make journeys
whatever the season,
searching for signs of the
truth to be born.

Right side up Christmas 
belongs to the universe, 
 made in the moment 
 a woman gives birth; 
 hope is the Jesus gift, 
 love is the offering, 
 everywhere, anywhere, 
 here on the earth. (Shirley Erena Murray)
People sit

OR

“Troublesome Carol” (Tune: By Colin Gibson)
The Christmas Child is a troublesome child,
as troublesome as the Word
that stirred the waters from the deep
and let God's voice be heard.
The Christmas Child is a spirited child
who questions given rule,
who flouts convention's pious face,
who laughs and plays the fool.

The Christmas Child is a generous child,
extravagant in excess,
who spends the coin of life and hope
to recreate and bless.
The Christmas Child is a dangerous child
when to a prophet grown,
whose vision takes a thorny path,
whose cross may be our own.

The Christmas Child is a troublesome child,
as troublesome as the Word
that stirred the waters from the deep
and let God's voice be heard.
The Christmas Child is a luminous child
whose peace the angels sing,
whose star no darkness overcomes,
whose life lights everything.  (© Shirley Erena Murray, 2011)

Welcome
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering here at (NN) for the first time
or who have returned during this festive season
to be with family and friends.

Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book

OR

A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who may be joining us for a first time.

Your presence enriches this gathering and contributes to 
the creative evolution of community. 
Thanks for the gift of you!  (Central United, Moncton, Canada)

Lighting of the Christmas Candle
v1  As we find ourselves wrapped in the season of wonder and light,
the astonishment that is life ignites our spirits,
and we feel, if merely for a moment,
that we are as we were meant to be.


v2  May we hold fast to this sliver of mystery,
this truth upon which we set the whole of who we are.

v3  May we call ourselves back to it time and again,
until we are filled with the wonder that is our life:
its hope, its peace, its joy, its love.

v4  Infused, then, with all that we are, may our energies
be given to the transformation of this world:
from despair into hope;
from darkness into light;
from fear into love.

May we be bold.
May we be daring.
May we be love.

Light candle

Love lights the world this Christmas. (Gretta Vosper)

OR

Over the past four Sundays we at (NN) have lit our Advent candles.

We light them again and remember...
the ways peace, hope, joy and love
are always brought to birth
in, through, and among, all creation.
Four candles lit

Last night we lit our Christmas Eve candles.
It was a time for memories and remembering.
To wonder and to give thanks…

And of quiet awakening to beauty
that still lives on through the strife of personal griefs
and an economically challenging world.

Now we come to light our Christmas candle.
It is a friendly candle.
It brings light and love
as we celebrate in the warmth of summer.

It is a candle of understanding which drives away fear.
It is a candle of truth.
It will lead one in unknown paths
to learn more about the mysteries of life.
All  Once upon a time a baby was born
who taught us to love and understand one another.
And they called his name, Jesus.
The Christmas Candle is lit

Presentation of the Christmas Bowl
Let us remember that without peace, joy, love, and hope,
people struggle to find their way.
The Bowl is place near the Candle

Hymn/Song  The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“In Every Face…”  (Tune: ‘Northbrook’, 11.10.11.10)
In every face that stares out from the manger,
each person bears the image of our God,
in Christ is human flesh affirmed and honoured,
for God has walked where human feet have trod.

In every face of youth, of age, each baby,
uplifted by the earth life of the Christ:
the stable bed, the cross of common torture,
marked off his life, these markers once sufficed.

And this we show, when we live incarnation,
to make God's presence real for humankind,
the wine we drink, the bread so freely broken
speak of the love of God so richly mined.

And those who live and suffer in this moment,
the dispossessed, oppressed throughout the earth,
are raised beyond frustration and existence,
to know, in living, their uncommon worth.  © Andrew Pratt 28/11/2011

OR

“You Are Born In Us Again”  (Tune: ‘Dunstan’)                                                                  52 COC
You are born in us again
Like the warmth of the summer wind you come,
to melt away the icicles of vanity and pride;
you come to blow the very doors of loving open wide.
Like the warmth of the summer wind you come,
like the warmth of the summer wind you come.

You are born in us again
Like the scent of the summer rain you come,
You come to quench the thirsty and to freshen up the land;
you come to clean away the dust that settled in our hand.
Like the scent of the summer rain you come,
like the scent of the summer rain you come.

You are born in us again
Like the light of the summer sun you come,
to ive light to the places that have never seen the Son;
you come now to embrace us, you’re the holy, holy one.
Like the light of the summer sun you come,
like the light of the summer sun you come.  M Wilson

OR

“Each Christmastide…” (Tune: ‘Purerua’)
Musical Score: www.methodist.org.nz/resources/hymns/boundless life
(As six verses this hymn may be sung to ‘Spean’)

Each Christmastide gives us space for a journey,
Journey to places that dwell deep within.
There we find sparkles of night’s silent stillness,
Wombs where re-birthing of spirits begin.
Wombs of our newness hold angels’ sweet voices
Singing the songs that the Cosmos still sings,
Songs of the cattle and all of creation,
Nurturing mangers that Nature still brings.

Hearing the songs hidden deep down inside us
Helps us view wonder through shepherds’ bright eyes,
Sensing God’s presence on Earth as in Heaven;
God of the wonder and God of surprise.
Journeys beyond all our wombs of belonging
Take us to places where Herods still rule.
After our fleeing to needy dependence
Love gives us strength for confronting the cruel.

God was not absent till Mary bore Jesus,
God did not need to be freed from the skies;
Christ came to waken our sense of God’s presence,
Present in laughter and present in cries.
Each day is Christmas for wonder-filled pilgrims,
Each day holds birthing God calls us to choose,
Birthing within the great womb of God’s mystery,
Mystery that points to the Gospel’s good news.  (William L Wallace)
The people sit

CENTERING

Centering Silence
Centering silence has its roots in the earliest of monastic traditions of the ‘desert Fathers (abbas)/Mothers (ammas)’ and the Christian mystic tradition… Relaxing into ‘quietness’ creates the space for deep listening and draws you into yourself

Let us now claim some silence
in the midst of the busyness of our Christmas lives.
(Silence)

Hear and feel your quiet breathing.
Hear and feel the quiet of this place
and this community of people.
(Silence)

As we remember the birth of the one we call Jesus
we see that the love and peace which he spoke of
must be cherished, nurtured and defended
in every generation.

Source of Life and Love,
your presentness among us is a tiny light of hope
which will never be extinguished.  (Adapt.Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
(Silence)

EXPLORING

Wisdoms from the World/Religious Traditions
 “Wisdom is not just special knowledge about something. Wisdom is a way of being, a way of inhabiting the world. 
 The beauty of wisdom is harmony, belonging and illumination of thought, action, heart and mind.” (John O’Donohue)

Reader:  We listen for truth, yet it is elusive - a thought here, a verse there.
All  May we collect it all, write what is worthy on our hearts,
and let the rest spill past our consciousness
leaving us clear and whole.  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

• “Canticle of Hope”
By Robert Charles Howard. Unity Tree/61-62

The whole earth resounds
with the exuberant songs
of nature’s majestic harmony.

And sways to the steady pulse
of all that breathes and roams the land,
that inhabits the rushing brooks
or soars through borderless skies,
of every seedling, flower and chrysalis.

And every newborn calf and golden Field.
all that rise to greet the sun
intone their festal hymns
to nature’s exultant harmony.

The boundless wonders of nature’s realm,
sustain our spirits and illumine our paths
with wisdom taught by the lakes and mountains
and solace sung by the forests and plains.
So with steady and transfigured hearts,
we forge our trails through hallowed land.

When the sun has run its daily course
and when twilight claims the fading light,
we offer thanks for the nascent moon
and the radiant star-jeweled night -
tuning our faith and aspirations
to the music of the spheres.

The whole earth refunds
with the exuberant songs
of nature’s majestic harmony.

• Luke 2: 8-20  (Inclusive Text)

In the countryside close by there were shepherds
who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch
their flocks during the night.

The angel of God appeared to them and the glory of God
shone around them. They were terrified, but the angel said ,
'Do not be afraid.  Listen, I bring you news of great joy,
a joy to be shared by the whole people.
Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you who is the Christ.

'And here is a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'

And suddenly with the angel
there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing,
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace to all who enjoy God's favour'.

Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
‘Let us go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened
which God has made known to us.’

So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in the manger.
When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,
and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.
As for Mary, she treasured all these things
and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen.
It was exactly as they had been told.

OR

• “Wonder… And the Earliest Christian Gospel”
By Sam Keen. Apology for Wonder/39

In a radically demythologized form the earliest Christian gospel may be stated in the following manner:
        “Look! Attend! Listen! A child is born, a new being, a new era,
        a new existential possibility has emerged

        “Novelty has entered history, and therefore you may be free of the binding illusion
        that your fate is written in the stars, that you are victims of an order
        that is determined with no regard for your freedom or care for your being.

        “The fault lies not in your stars but in your own refusal
        to accept the gracious gift of human freedom.

        "The ground out of which history springs is alive and gracious;
        therefore anything is possible.
        "Live in openness, wonder, and gratitude, accepting the
        mysterious gift of the ability to create, act, and forgive!”

This gospel pointed out and gave status to a new manner of being in the world that

became visible in the theophany of the person of Jesus. 
Its miraculous character was the new world it created for believers, 
the total reorientation (conversion, in religious language) it effected.

OR

• “Joy to the World”
By Rexford J. Styzens. Celebrating Christmas/169

Joy to the world!
But what is joy?
        Is it colourful? Is it expensive?
        Can it be gift-wrapped?
No, it is none of these.
        Is it happiness? Is it excitement?
        Is it blessedness?
Yes, it is these and more, much more.

Joy is for now.
It is completeness. It is consummation. It is holy.

Joy is that painting on that day at that time in that place.
Joy is that poem the umpteenth time through.
Joy is that smile exchanged that day.

And joy is the story of a babe and kings and angels and shepherds and stars.
It is not fact. It cannot be proved. But it is truth.

In that story is completeness and consummation.
        Because
In that life was completeness and consummation and holiness.

Joy to the world!
May this Christmas season bring you joy.

Contemporary Exploration
From Matthew Fox...
“To me, and to many people before me, Christmas is not so much about the birth of the baby Jesus as it is about a birth going on in us. Hopefully. A birth of the Christ in us… That is the Coming we wait for. That is the happening we hope for. Meister Eckhart put it this way seven centuries ago: ‘What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the son of God and I don’t give birth to the son of God in my person and my time and my culture?’”

Silence for Private Reflection

CELEBRATING

A Litany (Optional)
People stand as they are able

Southern Christmas Colours...
v1  We come to acknowledge the many colours of Christmas…
v2  Colours of red in the shining ornaments
and rosy glow of merriment
Red cloth/steamers brought forward and put in place

All  A time for meeting our memories and
honouring favourite traditions…

v3  Colours of green in the trees and
the streets of Christmas lights
Green cloth/steamers brought forward and put in place

All  A time for seeing signs of life and celebration…

v4  Colours of yellow in bright summer sun and
neighbourhood bbqs
Yellow cloth/steamers brought forward and put in place

All  A time to celebrate the warmth and care of each other
as days grow longer...

v5  Colours of blue in the deep, cool waters of the sea
Blue cloth/steamers brought forward and put in place

All  A time when barmy evenings caress us and
beach-side walks relax us...

v1  We gather in this time to find hope
All We come to open our spirits to the courage of living
amid all the colours of this southern summer season.

OR

A Christmas Litany (Optional)
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the fragrant eucalypt,
the song of the cicada,
and the soft flicker of candles…
All   To them shall come memories 
of love and happiness.

Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the Christmas star…
All   Their lives may ever reflect its light and beauty.

Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the age-old story
of a child born in a stable and laid in a manger…
All   To them a little child will always mean
hope and promise in a troubled world.

Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the joy of gifts sent lovingly to others...
All   They shall share the gladness and joy
of the shepherds and sages of old.

Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the message of Jesus of Nazareth…
All   They shall ever strive to help bring
peace on earth, good will to all.  (Adapt.UFBurlington/cc)

Sharing 'The Peace'
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
May a heart of peace rest with you. (David Galston/q)
All  And also with you.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours

OR

Namaste
Facing the person with right hand on your heart and a slight bow of the head…

The Divine in me honours the Divine in you.
OR

The Light in me recognises the Light in you.
OR

The spirit within me sees the spirit within you.

Hymn/Song   People stand as they are able, to sing 
"Carol of the Birds”                                                                                                               1 FACC 
 Out on the plains the Brolgas are dancing 
 Lifting their feet like war-horses prancing: 
 Up to the sun the wood-larks go winging 
 Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing - 
 Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.

Down where the tree-ferns grow by the river,
There where the waters sparkle and quiver,
Deep in the gullies bell-birds are chiming
Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.

Friar-birds sip the nectar of flowers
Currawongs chant in wattle-tree bowers;
In the blue ranges Lorikeets calling
Carols of bushbirds are rising and falling -
Orana! Orana! Orana! to Christmas Day.  John Wheeler.

OR

“The Spirit that Breathed” (Tune: ‘Montgomery’ OR ‘Normandy Carol’, 11.11.11.11)
The spirit that breathed on the waves of the sea,
is wonder, is wisdom, a cause to be free.
Before all creation, her glory was known,
with earth as a footstool and heaven her throne.

This spirit, this wisdom, then took human flesh,
divested of glory, a manger for rest.
This Word would appear in the form of a man
contained by the limits of life's human span.

Thus rooted, our lives are both honoured and raised,
through wisdom, in Jesus. When all things seem crazed
that spirit still lives as a sign of God's grace,
still hoping for freedom in each person 's face.  © Andrew Pratt 8/12/2011

OR

"The Hands That First Held Mary's Child” (Tune: 86.86D)
The hands that first held Mary's child
Were hard from working wood.
From boards they sawed and planed and filed
And splinters they with-stood.
This day they gripped no tool of steel.
They drove no iron nail,
But cradled from the head to heel
The One, new born and frail.

When Joseph marvelled at the size
Of that small breathing frame
And gazed upon those bright new eyes
And spoke the infant's name.
The angel's words he once had dreamed
Poured down from heaven's height,
And like the host of stars that beamed
Blessed earth with welcome light.

"This child shall be Emmanuel,
Not God upon the throne,
But God with us, Emmanuel,
As close as blood and bone.”
The tiny form in Joseph's palms
Confirmed what he had heard,
And from his heart rose hymns and psalms
For heaven's human word.

The tools which Joseph laid aside
A mob would later lift
And use with anger, fear and pride
To crucify God's gift.
Let us, O Lord, not only hold
The child who's born today,
But charged with faith may we be bold
To follow in his way. (Thomas Troeger/Adapted) 
People sit

Conversation with the Children
Children gather on the conversation mat

AFFIRMING

The Offering

Presentation
We rejoice in the new world God is creating around us and with us.
May our gifts proclaim the way of Jesus
and strengthen a faithful people.

In Solidarity
May we be blessed and healed for we come in love and in trust.
May we be blessed and healed for we come in love expectant hope.
(Silence)

Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared

Focused Thoughts:

Listening Response:
Each day brims over with possibility.

All  In every second lie choices, chances,

in numbers too great for us to comprehend.


May we ever strive to see beyond our limitations,

choose beyond our immediate needs,

All  and live into each day,

the fullness of its opportunity.  (Gretta Vosper/hb)

And so we take this flame and light our special care candle...
The Care Candle is lit

For ourselves, for those named or remembered, and in solidarity with those
who have not the freedom to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation.

In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of the sacred among us,
and to see new possibilities of the now.

The 'Abba’ Prayer:  (Optional)
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Abba/Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as that is appropriate

All  Most compassionate Life-giver,
may we honour and praise you: 
may we work with you to establish 
your new order of justice, peace and love.

Give us what we need for growth,
and help us, through forgiving others,
to accept forgiveness.

Strengthen us in the time of testing,
that we may resist all evil.

For all the tenderness, strength and love are yours, 
now and forever. Amen.  (William L Wallace)

SCATTERING

Hymn/Song  The people stand as they are able, to sing
"God’s Surprise" (Tune: 'Scarlet Ribbons')                                                                          46(v1-2) HSNW
Who would think that what was needed
To transform and save the earth
Might not be a plan or army,
Proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
That a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
Coming here on Christmas Day.

Shepherds watch and wise men wonder,
Monarchs scorn and angels sing;
Such a place as none would reckon
Hosts a holy helpless thing;
Stable beasts and by-passed stranger
Watch a baby laid in hay:
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Remain standing

OR

"Child of Christmas Story”  (Tune: ‘Incarnation')                                                            12(v1-2) AA 
Child of Christmas story,
stable straw and star,
small and sweet and gentle:
tell us who you are.

Child whose baby finger
round our own is curled,
come to melt our hearts, and
come to change the world.

Parting Words
The God we worship is never confined to this holy place.

So go and travel with the God
who is found in ordinary and surprising places.
All  And may we leave this place seeking
an uncharted and freely chosen way to wholeness,
knowing we have companions along the way.  Barry Wienecke

OR

"The Work of Christmas”
By Howard Thurman, (Adapted). The Mood of Christmas.

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the [wise women and men] are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
     To find the lost,
     To heal the broken,
     To feed the hungry,
     To release the prisoner,
     To rebuild the nations,
     To bring peace among [all peoples],
     To make music in the heart.

Words of Blessing
Go in peace to claim the life of Christ within our midst:
and may the earth be warm under your feet,
the rain bring the gentle flowers
of the bush bright around you,
and the wind blows as the breath of the Spirit before you.
All  Amen. May it be so.

Song  (Cont) "God’s Surprise"  (Tune: 'Scarlet Ribbons')                                                      46(v3) HSNW
Centuries of skill and science
Span the past from which we move,
Yet experience questions whether,
Wth such progress, we improve.
While the human lot we ponder,
Lest our hopes and humour fray,
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day. © Iona Community

OR

"Child of Christmas Story”  (Cont.) (Tune: ‘Incarnation')                                                 12(v3-4) AA 
Child of Jew and Gentile,
child of white and black -
teach us how to love you,
teach us what we lack.

Child of Mary's courage
birthed in human pain,
tell us what your name is -
be our hope again.   (Shirley Erena Murray)

Recessional Music

You are invited to keep this copy of the liturgy and take it home with you
to share with another member of your family, or with a friend

Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate

Some Resources that have helped shape this Liturgy.
(AA) Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and Songs for All Churches. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1993.
(HSNW) Bell, J. & G. Maule. Heaven Shall Not Wait. Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1. Revised edition. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 1989.
Burgess, R. A Book of Blessings. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
(COC) Carol our Christmas. A Book of New Zealand Carols. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1996.
(FSSC) Haddon, G. P. Feminist Sacred Songs for Christmas. Scotland. Plus Publications, 1994.
Inclusive Readings. Year A. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2006.
McRae-McMahon, D. ‘Christmas Day liturgy’. Special resources. UCA. 2005.
(SLT) Singing The Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
(SiF) Kearns, S. (ed). Sing it Forward. Traditional Hymns Recast and Rewritten for Non-Exclusive Communities. In circulation from the author, 2009.
Keen, S. Apology for Wonder. New York. Harper & Row, 1969
Seaburg, C. (ed). Celebrating Christmas. An Anthology. Boston. UUMA, 1983.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the way we Live is more Important than What we Believe. Canada. Toronto. HarperCollins, 2008.
Vosper, G. Holy Breath. Prayers for Worship and Reflection. New & Revised Edition. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2004/2010.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Wallace, W. L. Something to Sing About. Hymns and Reflections in Search of a Contemporary Spirituality. Melbourne. JBCE. 1981.
(FACC) Wheeler, J. Five Australian Christmas Carols. London. Chappell & Co., 1948.

Web sites/Other:
Wienecke. UUA Worship Web. Boston. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Metropolitan City Churches. 2008. <www.mccchurch.org/Resources/Worship>
Shirley E Murray. "Troublesome Carol". Direct from the author.
Andrew Pratt. "The Spirit that Breathed” and “In Every Face…". Direct from the author.
Gretta Vosper.  Candle Lighting. ProgressiveChristianity.Org web site