God
of Light and Darkness,
you
are present in both the shadows and the brightness.
On
this Christmas night may we hear your voice both
in
the laughter and singing and
in
the still silence.
Source
of Hope,
in
a world where many live with despair,
a
world where so many struggle to get by,
remind
us of the Hope for a world renewed and reborn.
As
we hear again the story of a baby in a manger,
strengthen
our souls with hope for what the future will bring
May
all those who have lost hope hear your voice bringing Good News.
Builder
of Peace,
sometimes
it seems that peace and justice are just words,
not
a reality.
Tonight,
as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace,
reawaken
in us a commitment to be people of peace,
to
join you in the creation of a new world.
Share
with us a vision of a time when all live together peacefully,
and
all have what they need for abundant life.
Wellspring
of Joy,
grant
us the joy that goes deep into our souls,
joy
that is more than happiness,
joy
that comes from the knowledge that You are with us
whatever
life might bring us.
In
the dips and low times of our lives,
when
laughter and song are distant memories,
may
we feel your presence to comfort and support us,
leading
us back to the singing.
This
Christmas season we pray with all those who find joy difficult.
May
they all feel your comfort and support.
Giver
of Love,
tonight
love shines from a feed trough,
tonight
love takes flesh as a new-born baby.
We
need love to live, to thrive, to be who you created us to be.
Sadly,
some of us forget that we are loved,
some
of us try to meet other people’s standards so that they will love
us,
God
who is Love, remind us that we are all a part of the world that you
love.
In
Jesus you call us to love each other as you love us.
As
we sing with angels and wonder with shepherds,
move
us to act with love for all we meet – all year long,
may
those who feel alone and unloved tonight
feel
themselves wrapped in a love that will never let them go.
Proclaimer
of Good News,
the
angel’s words echo through the centuries.
In
this world where bad news gets the front page,
where
we hear about all that goes wrong,
help
us to not be disheartened.
Give
us ears to hear and eyes to see
the
places where you are at work in the world.
Help
us to hear the great Good News of a Saviour.
Fill
us with Hope, Peace Joy and Love
and
move us to share the Good News with the world around us.
We
pray in the name of the baby who comes to change the world,
Jesus,
the one we call Christ the Lord.
Glory
in the highest.
Hallelujah!
Amen.
