With expectation we come, Lord God
drawing closer to the day where we will great you
drawing closer to Christmas
the great feast of your arrival with us
God incarnate
blessed deity
As we draw closer to that time
prepare our hearts, thoughts and minds to fully receive you in our lives anew
to be open to the wonder, delight and surprise of Christmas
to be willing to see Christ with us in our celebrations, plans, arrangements
release us this hour from the busyness and pressures which mount upon us this month
that we can rest truly in you and your love for us
Lord God
Mysterious God
open up the wonder of you to us anew this Advent
show us how we can make way for you in our lives
teach us how we can live our lives, our ordinary lives justly, humbly, graciously, lovingly
that your light may shine through all we do
Light bearing Christ
send your light to us, we pray
may it blaze as holy fire in us
burning all the chaff away within us which is not Holy, is not honourable, is not loving, is not just
Justice Seeking One
you’re deepest desire is justice and mercy would reign on earth as in heaven
yet through where we shop, workers are oppressed and abused
yet through giving gifts to those with much, we fail to give to those with nothing
yet through being too busy in December, we fail to prepare for Christ-coming to be with us
forgive us, we pray
teach us how we can repent of all the ways where your will is not done
teach us how, in our ordinary lives
we can be worthy to be disciples of Christ
in whose name we pray
Amen