Lover of the world,
it’s so close!

Advent is almost over,
Christmas is almost here.

The aroma has filled the kitchen
and the world is about to sit down for Your feast.

Let us come to Your table
with open hearts,
with anticipation of a celebratory meal.

We’ve dined on the bread of tears,
we’ve drunk tears in full measure.
But we pray those past experiences
will not dull our taste buds
on Christmas morning.

Instead, let us drink deep,
let us savor Your goodness,
and revel in Your love.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lover of each of us,
You call the little guys!
You came to Bethlehem,
the "B” team,
the backwoods,
and You called it blessed.

Let us begin to grasp
Your love for us
a little more deeply.
Our souls magnify You, that You would choose us
to carry Your light to our world.

Thank You for looking upon us with favor,
for Your mercy, Your strength, Your memory.

Let us keep Your love
always before our eyes.

That we may gain
a brighter picture of Your love for us.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lover of Your Church,
You’re almost here,
and we have work to do!

For the times when we’ve thought
that our sacrifices and offerings
were the things that would get it done,
we repent.

It is our desire as a Sanctuary body
to do Your work,
but we pray You would define
that word ‘work’ for us.
Let us not get trapped in our own limitations,
but let us follow Your way of work.

Guide us to this Christmas season.
Speak to our hearts,
using whatever it takes
to get Your message across.
We’re all ears,
and we will keep saying ‘Yes.’

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.