the stations of the rib · 2020. 12. 17. · the stations of the rib organized by michelle...

The Stations of the Crib

Organized by Michelle Valcourt. Scripture from the USCCB website. Artwork from various online sites. Prayers from Stations of the Nativity, written by Lawrence Boadt.

Check out www.evangelizeme.org for more talks and resources on initiatives throughout the state of Maine.

What is Advent?

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation. “Ad” means “to” and “vieno” means “on your way”.

So Advent means “on your way to Christ”. As we wait patiently for Christ’s coming, we pray. Leader: Father, to You belong the seasons and the ages.

All: You are the beginning and the end of all things.

Leader: Let us pray. Father, today we look at the words of the prophets of old and how they foretold the coming of your son, Jesus Christ. You continue to search for your sheep and bring them back to you. May we keep our hearts always in Advent, looking for the coming of Christ in our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

Leader: O Emmanuel, Savior of Israel, you are God’s Son among us:

All: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Leader: O Wisdom of the Most High God, You rule with gentle might:

All: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Leader: O Lord of Israel, You gave us the Law on Sinai:

All: Come with your power to redeem us.

Leader: O Flower of Jesse’s stem, You are the sign of salvation:

All: Come and deliver us; do not delay.

Leader: O Key of David, You open and close by Your power:

All: Come and free us from darkness and death.

Leader: O Daystar, You are the eternal light, the sun of justice:

All: Come and cheer us; dispel the darkness.

Leader: O Desired One of the nations, You are the King of peace:

All: Come and make us one.

Leader: Lord, hurry and come to us. May Your light shine in our lives so that we may be freed from sin. Protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for Your coming as our Savior.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we praise you All: Because by your incarnation you have given us new birth

Reading In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26- 38) Old Testament Verse All: But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. (Isaiah 10:1-4)

Prayer Leader: Lord God, you who do miracles for those who love you, help each of us to cooperate with your grace in our lives and to give our will to you. All: Amen

Refrain All: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

First Station - The Annunciation

Second Station - The Visitation


Reading During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1: 39-46)

Old Testament Verse All: Our soul waits for the Lord who is our help and our shield. Our hearts will rejoice in him because we have trusted in his holy name. (Ps 33:20-21)

Prayer Leader: O God, teach me the joy and happiness of doing your will always, and seeing your love and goodness in everyone whom I meet. All: Amen.


Third Station - The Magnificat


Reading My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. ( Luke 1:46-56)

Old Testament Verse All: Hannah prayed and said, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord; my mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy as the Lord; there is none beside you; there is no rock like our God” (1 Sam 2:1-2)

Prayer Leader: Through the help of Mary, our Mother, may God make the sick well, the troubled calm and the wounded healed. All: Amen.


Fourth Station - The Birth of John the Baptist


Reading When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. (Luke 1:57-66)

Old Testament Verse All: Now I am sending my messenger-he will prepare the way before me; And the Lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple; The messenger of the covenant whom you desire-see, he is coming! says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand firm when he appears? ...he will purify the Levites, Refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the LORD in righteousness. (Mal. 3:1-3)

Prayer Leader: Father, you sent John the Baptist before your Son to prepare the way. May we recognize Jesus when he comes into our lives and welcome his love into our hearts. All: Amen.


Fifth Station - The Prophecy of Zechariah


Reading Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:67-80)

Psalm Verse All: I will sing the mercies of the Lord forever; I will make known your faithfulness to all generations…And the heavens shall praise your wonders, O Lord; your faithfulness in the assembly of the saints. (Ps 89:1, 5)

Prayer Leader: O God, who sent John the Baptist to remind us of your mercy, grant that we turn from our sins and treat one another with love and respect, always. All: Amen.



Reading Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but be-fore they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21)

Old Testament Verse All: In you, O Lord, I put my trust; never let me be left confused; rescue me in your justice and let me escape. Incline your ear to me and save me. (Ps 71: 1-2)

Prayer Leader: God our Father, help us to imitate the faith and trust of Joseph and to seek your help in all our troubles. All: Amen.


Sixth Station - Joseph’s Dream

Seventh Station - Joseph Takes Mary into his Home


Reading When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus. (Matt 1:24-25)

Old Testament Verse All: How lovely your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and flesh cry out for the living God. As the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest to settle her young, My home is by your altars, LORD of hosts, my king and my God! Blessed are those who dwell in your house! They never cease to praise you. (Psalm 84:2-5)

Prayer Leader: O Loving Father, you sent your son Jesus to live with us on earth that we might live with him forever in heaven. Grant that we may stay close to him all the days of our lives. All: Amen


Eighth Station - The Journey to Bethlehem


Reading In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (Luke 2:1-5)

Old Testament Verse All: But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathaha, least among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, Then the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall take his place as shepherd by the strength of the LORD, by the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall dwell securely, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth: He shall be peace. (Micah 5:1-3)

Prayer Leader: O Lord, give us the courage to accept hardships in our lives. Let us serve you as faithfully as did Mary and Joseph. All: Amen.



Reading And so it was, that while they were there, her days were completed so that she was to give birth. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

Old Testament Verse All: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! (Isaiah 9:1-6)

Prayer Leader: O God of all love and mercy, look upon us with kindness when we are most in need. Help to treat others with the love and kindness of Jesus. All: Amen.


Ninth Station - The Birth of Jesus

Tenth Station - The Announcement of the Angels


Reading Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

Old Testament Verse All: Bless the Lord, O my soul…How many are your works, O Lord; and in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Prayer Leader: O Lord our God, help us to give you thanks and praise always and to see your loving hand in our lives. All: Amen



Reading The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. (Luke 2: 15-20)

Old Testament Verse All: Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him…For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Ps 33: 1, 4)

Prayer Leader: O Lord, open my ears to everyone who speaks your name, and loosen my tongue at every chance to praise you. All: Amen.


Eleventh Station - The Shepherds Share the Good News

Twelfth Station - The Presentation at the Temple


Reading When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. (Luke 2:22-25)

Old Testament Verse All: You who dwell in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust…With his feathers he will cover you; under his wings you shall take refuge.” (Ps 91: 1,2,4)

Prayer Leader: Lord God, keep us close to you as part of your family. Help each of us to act as a child of God in everything that we do. All: Amen.



Reading Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:28-32)

Old Testament Verse All: Your faithfulness and your salvation I have made known [O Lord], I have not kept secret your kindness and your truth in the whole community. Do not keep your mercy from me, but may your kindness and your truth always protect me. (Ps 39: 11-12)

Prayer Leader: Oh God of all love, help me to see your face in the faces of my friends and enemies alike, and to treat every human being with love. All: Amen.


Thirteenth Station - The Blessing of Simeon

Fourteenth Station - The Wise Men Come from the East


Reading When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” Herod sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. (Matt 2: 1-2, 8-12)

Psalm Verse All: All kings shall bow down before him, all nations shall serve him; for he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the humble person when he has no one to help him. (Ps 72: 11-12)

Prayer Leader: O Great God, bless your children everywhere, and help all people to love one another and live in peace with one another. All: Amen.


Final Blessing

the stations of the rib · 2020. 12. 17. · the stations of the rib organized by michelle...

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