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A Prayer for Christmas
Wednesday December 17 2014
O God of light and love,
Who finds us out in the darkest of nights,
Shine in our darkness.
Come with warmth to comfort us in the frost and star filled sky,
Through the old story of birth and love that is ever new.
Awaken our sense of anticipation as the aroma of firs and food wafts over us
Open our eyes to the simplicity and truthfulness of the nativity play, and
Touch our spirits through the enthusiastic excitement of children.
With hearts filled with expectation, The world awaits on tip toe
Forgive us for turning this season into the festival of conspicuous consumption.
Teach us to see beyond the tinsel and the tawdry to the event of mysterious love in action.
Rekindle within us a desire to enjoy
those whose presence we often take for granted.
Propel us beyond the superficial bonhomie and ornaments of sentimentality which characterise so much of our routine celebration.
Challenge us to rediscover the thrill of expectation
Make us the vehicles of the Word whichawakens and renews the conscience of our world, gives joy and contentment
to the elderly and lonely, and encourages those starting out on life’s adventure.
Empower us to scatter the seeds of reconciliation and goodwill across this quarrelsome world.
Engage us in the making of a new world where famine and hunger are historical events;
Where justice for the poor, the voiceless and the alienated has become a reality In the power of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem,
Who came and who comes, and in whose name we pray.
