Lord God
we come today
to worship you
to lay our lives before you
to sing your praises
to hear your Word
to offer our prayers
we come
in this time of Advent
in pregnant anticipation
that all that you have promised
from generation to generation
will be fulfilled
as we look to the cradle
and recall the wonder and depth of your love
such divine love, we cannot fully comprehend
for you are a God
slow to anger,
abounding in patience, mercy and love
a day for you is like a thousand years,
a thousand years,
but a day
as you patiently do all you can to ensure everyone can come to repentance
and knowledge of you, and your abounding love
revealed in Jesus
that one we prepare for
in our hearts and minds
in our celebrations and cards
in our decorations and parties
the same Jesus
who came to bring comfort to those who longed to know it
and the baptism of the Holy Spirit
that we are blessed to know
may that same spirit descend on us anew today and this Advent season
that we may prepare
properly prepare
our hearts and minds and lives for the coming of The Son
as we prepare ourselves
we ask the paths we journey on are made straight
that our sins are taken away and our iniquity removed
May you know the comfort and peace of the forgiveness God gives you again today
that you may continue to prepare the Way for the Son of Man to come
Amen