God
of Hope,
where
despair rages, where things seem lost, you make us a promise.
When
we are tempted to give up, when we decide the world is falling
apart, you hold up a vision of what could be.
Into
the world as it is, with all the drama and the hurt and the pain, you
insert a bit of hope,
you
show us a glimpse of the Kingdom of God,
you
remind us that things are not always going to be as bad as they seem.
This
Christmas season, re-make us into people of hope, make us those who
have hope for a better world even against all the evidence.
Help
us carry hope for the present and the future into a world where
despair and resignation seem to be winning. And so we remember those
places in our lives and around the world where hope is most needed
...time
of silence...
God
of Peace,
we
live in a world where peace is so seldom a reality.
Our
news sources share stories of bombs around the world, of people shot
by those called to serve and protect, of people shooting those called
to serve and protect, of militants killing all who get in their way,
of schoolgirls kidnapped and presumed to be sold off in marriage
against their will.
Where
does peace fit in?
Tonight
we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, tonight we hear again
the angel song “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to
all of goodwill”.
As we
celebrate, may we be so filled with Christ's Peace that we carry it
with us wherever we go, bringing peace in our own way to the world
that we touch.
And
so we pray that Peace would be more than just a word, we pray for
those places where it's reality is most urgently needed
...time
of silence...
God
of Joy,
in
churches and houses and village squares around the globe tonight the
sounds of joy ring out.
And
also in churches and houses and village squares around the globe
tonight there are those whose hearts are heavy or whose life is a
struggle that leaves little room for joy.
Tonight
as we sing the carols and hear the old story, we hold in our hearts
those who are lonely this night, and those who have an empty space at
the table, and those who lie in hospital beds or sit beside those
beds, and those who struggle to find basics like food and shelter.
Sometimes
life is not what we want it to be.
On
this night, on every night, we pray with and for all those who
struggle
may
they know that they are not alone, may they hear the word of promise
and joy and love
...time
of silence...
God
of Love,
love,
they say, is what makes the world go round
love
is the power that makes life possible.
In
love you continue to break into our lives, to break into our world.
You
remind us that we are loved, you call us to be people who love
others.
This
Christmas season, and throughout the year that is to come, fill our
hearts to overflowing with love.
And
may we, having experienced Your boundless, unlimited, passionate
love, pass it on to all we meet.
May
love become the watchword and guidepost of our lives and the lives of
all Your children.
And
in this season of love, we pause to remember all our loved ones
...time
of silence...
God
of Light,
in
the beginning there was darkness. And you called forth the light.
Throughout
recorded time there has been darkness, and you called out the light.
In
our world today there is darkness, help us to find the light.
The
Christmas story reminds us of your love and care for your created,
how you will never abandon us to the dark.
In
the face of the darkness help us choose to be people of the light.
As we
stand in the glow of starlight and angel song and a babe with his
mother may we always remember that though the light shines in the
darkness the darkness has not, will not, and can not over come it.
For
the shadowed places of the world that that cry for light we pray
...time
of silence...
God
of Birth,
tonight
we gather to celebrate a birth that happened long ago,
the
birth of a child laid in a manger because there was no place for his
family in the inn.
But
tonight we also celebrate births that happen everyday:
we
sing praises for hope born anew in the midst of despair,
we
watch as peace is born in the middle of violence and struggle and
disparity,
we
listen as joy is born afresh in the broken-hearted,
we
are overcome with emotion as love is born time and time again,
overcoming fear and distrust and hatred,
we
stand in the glow as tiny sparks give birth to a light that warms and
illuminates the wonders of life.
For
all the births we celebrate this night we offer prayers of
thanksgiving and praise
...time
of silence...
Amen.
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