A Prayer for Christmas

“We should make a dwelling place within ourselves where God can stay.” – St. Francis of Assisi

God With Us

Jesus – our Emmanuel,

praise is on our lips, 

for you are born 

here and now again 

in our hearts.

As we gather at the manger 

your hope fills us, 

your peace comforts us, 

your joy stirs us, 

your love meets us. 

May we carry these gifts into the days ahead 

and share them with all those we meet, 

especially those who do not know your

hope - peace - joy - love.

As we celebrate your birth among us,

we sing with the angels, 

we pause with the shepherds, 

we adore with the magi, 

we draw near with the animals, 

for we trust,

we even dare to believe

you do truly 

dwell among us.

As we share gifts, 

gather at table, 

greet friends and neighbors, 

and celebrate the season,

remind us you were born in a manger

-  simple and humble. 

May this simplicity and humility 

help us to see you 

in all which is now Christmas time.

From the manger 

we are awakened 

to our call as your people 

to bring good news, 

bind up broken hearts, 

proclaim liberty, 

comfort mourners, 

and declare 

your hope - peace - joy and love

this season and in all seasons. 

From the manger 

to our everyday 

may we be witnesses 

of you among us. 

Amen.

Photo Credit: Mustafa Turhan

A Prayer For Advent Week 4

 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.” 

- Luke 1.41

God of Love,

This season of Advent is slipping away 

and we are once again at the threshold of

celebrating the light of your love Jesus

- our Emmanuel and Savior born for us.

In these limited Advent days 

may we be attentive 

to how your love 

meets us, encourages us, 

restores us and heals us.

When the darkness seems too much

meet us with the light of your love. 

When the hurts of past try to rob us 

meet us with the light of your love. 

When the imperfections and incomplete 

are made known in the days ahead 

meet us with the light of your love. 

When the expectations and demands 

leave us drained 

meet us with the light of your love. 

When the voices around us are not kind 

or do not know the true gift of this season 

meet us with the light of your love.

When we come to the manger 

with the simple gift of who we are 

meet us with the light of your love,

and lead us to share 

the light of your love with others.

Amen.

Photo Credit: Jan Hruska

A Prayer For Advent Week 3

 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor."

- Luke 4.18

God of Joy, 

Our hearts are lifted up 

as the Advent days grow shorter, 

for we know you are so near. 

Your joy is bigger than smiles shared, 

gifts given and homes decorated. 

Your joy is the depth of the heart.

Your joy sustains us in trials and struggles. 

Your joy is the rejoicing of the good and holy.

Your joy reminds us of your delight in us.

As we journey in this Advent week, 

we trust your joy will meet us no matter the journey. 

We trust your joy is transforming our hearts, 

allowing us to let go of false expectations and gimmicks. 

We trust your joy is at work in us, 

in our tasks, our duties 

and gatherings with others. 

Your joy is echoed in the words of Mary, 

as she declares your goodness in hearing 

the invitation to do your will. 

May we be attentive to your invitations this week. 

May we also declare:

“my soul magnifies”

and “my spirit rejoices,” 

trusting this will guide us 

to the true joy 

at the Bethlehem Manger.

Amen.

A Prayer for Advent Week 2

 “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.    

The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth,

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” – Luke 3.5-6

God of Peace,

Our world is so topsy-turvy

it always has been,

and yet you promise us

peace which is everlasting.

Our hearts may feel anything but peaceful

during this Advent time.

We have things to do, 

people to see,

gifts to wrap, 

and cookies to bake.

When our to do list grows too big

gently remind us 

you came among us 

to be our peace. 

Your peace

is the deepest longing

in our heart.

Your peace

is what settles

our worries and fears.

Your peace

is always present

even when we do not know it.

As we settle into this season

may we be aware of those

who do not know peace and your peace:

those who are at war

and those who live in war zones,

those who are restless and disturbed

and those who feel helpless,

those who are isolated and alone

and those who are on the edge,

those who are hungry and homeless

and those who are seeking community.

Fill our hearts with your peace

so we may be messengers of peace

in our actions and in our words

in this season and beyond.

Your invitation to peace is the instrument

shaping our Advent path to the manger

where we meet the Prince of Peace.

Amen.

Photo Credit: Joanna Kosinska