A blessed Christmas to you all.
Opening prayer
Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen. –Robert Louis Stevenson
Prayers of response
Dear Lord, this year our Christmas has been a Christmas like none we have ever witnessed before. It has been filled with anxiety, uncertainty and lots of confusion. Teach us, just like Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Magi, to worship you despite what it happening around us. You make all the difference Jesus. You are what we have been waiting our whole lives for.
We pray for those of us who are separated from our loved ones this year – not by choice, but by circumstances. We pray for those who have lost loved ones during the course of 2020 and for those of us who hold the beloved memory of our closest family and friends deep in our hearts. Christmas may not always be filled with laughter and celebration, but it can still be filled with Joy, Peace, Faith, Hope and Love.
Jesus Christ, you are Immanuel,
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Amen.
ommon Lectionary)
Benediction prayer
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God,
And the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us,
Now and forever more. Amen.