The Holy Supper prayers

Light the candles and sing “Your Nativity”

O Lord Jesus Christ,You have given us the forty days of Adventthat we might through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and repentanceprepare for the celebration of Your First Coming to us.As we stand at the threshold of this great feast,we gather to partake of this Holy Supper,asking that You Yourself may be present,blessing and strengthening usas we praise the mystery of Your Incarnation.For Yours is the might, the power and the glory,together with Your Father without originand Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit,now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lord our God,gazing upon the holy icon of the feast of the Nativityand recalling the words of the prophet Isaiah,“the ox and the ass know their master’s crib,”we call to mind the animalsthat were present in the cavern in Bethlehem.We also call to mind all the animals, domestic and wild,which You have created.We remember the endangered speciesand ask that You preserve themfrom the excesses and cruelty of fallen humanity.We thank You for the pets that bring us joyand all the animals which serve us.For all of creation praises You, O our God,and to You we send up glory,to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.

Sing “Memory eternal” for the departed you remember, naming them after “Your servants”Grant rest eternal and blessed repose, O Lord,to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep,and make their memory to be eternal.Memory eternal!Three times

Sing “Many years” for everyone at the table and those who are away, naming them after “Your servants”Grant, O Lord, a prosperous and peaceful life,health, salvation, and furtherance in all good thingsto Your servants, and preserve them for many years!God grant them many years!Three times

May God give us the courage to accept the difficulties of lifeover which we are powerless,symbolized by this bitter clove of garlic.A sliver of raw garlic is dipped in honeyMay all these difficulties be overcome by the fruits of the Spirit:love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,symbolized by this sweet honey.And then eaten

Blessed are You, O Lord, King of the universe,Who brings forth bread from the earth!Bless us, O Lord, as we break this bread together in love.May our tables be filled with an abundance of wheat, wine and oil,that we may in turn give to those who are in need.May we continually be mindful of all who are hungry,those who are homeless,those who suffer the ravages of war, terror, disaster,cruelty, injustice, addiction, abuse and loneliness.Finally, as we partake of this food,may we recognize that You are the true Bread of life,the bread which has come down from heaven.May our communion of the Holy Mysteries on this great feastbe for the healing of our souls and bodies,that being united to You and to each other in a bond of loveby partaking of the one bread and cupwhich are Your most pure body and precious blood,we may send up glory, thanksgiving and worship to You,the Only-begotten Son, Whose glorious Nativity in the flesh we celebrate,together with Your Father without originand Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit,now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.The loaf is passed, broken and shared

The poor shall eat and be satisfied.Those who seek the Lord shall praise Him;and their hearts shall live forever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.Lord, have mercy.Three timesChrist our God, bless the food and drink of Your servants,for You are holy always, now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.

After the meal, sing or say the kontakion of Christmas, “Today the Virgin gives birth”, and thenGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.Lord, have mercy.Three timesGod is with us, through His grace and love for mankind,always, now and ever, and for ever and ever. Amen.