Opening Prayer: O Lord, the time has
almost come. Just a few more hours and
we will once again celebrate your coming into this dark and broken
world. Soon the light will dawn, our
hearts will be enlarged, and our joy will be increased. We wait, O Lord, in silence and wonder and
hope for your arrival among us and within us.
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. (Watch
and Wait by Jim Branch)
Scripture: Isaiah
9:1-7
Journal: What
words about the coming of Jesus stir something to life within you today? Why?
Which name for Jesus seems most fitting for where you are in your
journey these days? Why?
Reflection: At
times we drift in our lives. Amid the
uncertainty and suspense of not knowing or the sheer tedium of things remaining
the same, we can learn to keep our eyes wide open, scanning the horizon of our
experience. Like Noah we may have to do
this for a long time until at least some green sprig signals, “There’s land
ahead.” Signs may beckon through
something as ordinary as a phone call, as intimate as a touch of a child’s
hand, or as subtle as an inner urge whispering, “This is where you need to
go!” Like Paul and his near-sinking
boatload, we would be wise to feast ourselves again and again on signs of
promise and hope even as we are tossed about on the sea of not knowing. (The Way of Discernment by Stephen V.
Doughty and Marjorie J. Thompson)
Prayer
Closing Prayer: Gracious, loving and
merciful God, on this Christmas Eve, as the light of your Word penetrates our
hearts, as we are reminded of the gift of life and faith, as the glories of the
heavenly hosts are echoed in our church, we open ourselves up to your Spirit
and give you thanks. We are grateful,
Lord Jesus, that your story has become our story, and we celebrate your
birth.
Continue, we pray, to instill in us a
profound sense of your abiding presence, and help us to take to heart the
wonder of your love, that we may walk in your ways and delight in your will.
Help us, Lord God, to be the faithful,
gracious, loving, giving and forgiving people you would have us be.
~Rev.
Dr. Sean B. Murray
Beautifully said, Amen!
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