When I write prayers I try and think in terms of poetry (lines, rhythms etc) but this one sort of just came out more prose than poetic, but heart felt.
Well God , Christmas must be close
The pace seems to be quickening and there is so much more to be done
Our mail boxes groan under the weight of all those flash catalogues trying to sell us something
There is a definite edge about making sure we get to that car park first
We’ve got to work out whose place were going to on the day
And book in summer holidays
Yet in the midst of that God we want to stop and give thanks to you
Christmas is about you and your love for us
It’s about you and Your love for us
It’s beyond our ability to comprehend
A mystery in the true sense of the word
That while we were yet sinners in Jesus Christ you stepped into our world
You pitched your tent in our neighbourhood
You came as a light in the dark
The word become flesh
So that all who believe in you would be given the right to become children of the most high God
WE beheld you as grace and truth came in your son Jesus.
We give you thanks
It’s about you and Your love for us
You became one of us and experienced what we experience
You were known as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
We know that you celebrated the good things in lives like a wedding at Canna and good friends and festivals
We know you healed the sick and cared for the poor spoke for justice and proclaimed good news that through you the kingdom of God was coming near
And there it is like a shadow over the Christmas narrative the sword that Anna saw would pierce Mary’s heart
That you gave you life on the cross so our sins could be forgiven
We thank you
It’s about You and Your love for us
We can know new life because Christ was raised from the dead and is alive
New life because you have sent your spirit to dwell with us
Not just in our neighbourhood but filling us making us more like Jesus
New life because you have given us a new family you church in the world full of brothers and sisters fathers and mothers in Christ.
New life because the old has gone and the new has come
New life because you have forgiven us and wiped the slate clean
New life because you call us to follow you and witness to your great love
We Thank you
Seeing your mercy and grace
We come today and confess our sins
Forgive us for losing sight of you in the midst of this Christmas rush and even in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives
Help us to fix our eyes on you, the author and perfecter of our faith
Forgive us for living graceless lives when we have received such grace from you
Help us to love and forgive, serve and love as you have and do
Forgive us that we have left undone all the good you call us to do
Forgive us lord we are sorry
There it is again the hope and good news that came at Christmas
That through Christ if we confess our sins you are faithful and just and forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness
Today and this Christmas season may we capture afresh a vision of your great love and your son Jesus Christ
May we be filled a fresh with your spirit to be Christmas people
Seeing Jesus break into our world through our words and deeds
Allowing your grace and love your justice to be our pursuit
To the glory of God Father, Son and Spirit
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