Opening Prayer

Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.

Scripture

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” -Luke 2:14

Reflection

Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Scripture

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” -Luke 2:14

Prayer

God, truly all glory belongs to you.

This day.

The day we celebrate the arrival of your son.

May we find time to relive the total hush of all creation.

The pregnant pause between Mary’s final cry and Jesus’ first.

The collective breath of the world held for what seems an eternity.

The light that chases away all darkness enters not as a raging fire, but a gentle flickering wick.

Bound in all of humanities frailty.

The cry of a child.

A cry of THE child.

The promised one enters His creation the way of all creation, dirty, hungry, tired.

Truly your ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

As this day progresses, will you bring us back again and again to that moment of silence and awe.

Closing

And may we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.

Amen and Amen.

Opening Prayer

Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.

Scripture

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon

his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

-Isaiah 9:6

Reflection

Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Scripture

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon

his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

-Isaiah 9:6

Prayer

Oh majestic Lord of Hosts, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, we turn our eyes to you.

As prophecy comes into full fruition and you become incarnate we stand in complete awe of you- King Jesus.

To us, you are born; the Great Light piecing the dark, dim, desperate world.

You shatter all darkness replacing it with joy and incomprehensible hope.

A new Kingdom is born! A dominion of perfect peace from the imperfect line of David.

The past of sin, injustice and despair replaced with the increased of righteousness, justice, and redemption.

Stunningly in the humble form of a baby, backed with all power and authority of Heaven.

What an unimaginable miracle to our finite minds!

This Christmas Eve we remember the greatest gift of you, King Jesus.

The salvation, and sacrifice of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

Fix our gaze and affections forever in you.

Receive our praise and deepest admiration, Name Above All Names, Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Closing

Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.

Opening Prayer

Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.

Scripture

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

-Revelation 1:7

Reflection

Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Scripture

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

-Revelation 1:7

Prayer

You Jesus, are not safe.

We long to see your return, yet we tremble.

Each of us finds in our hands the bloodied spear that pierced you.

We lament.

Oh God have mercy on us.

Memories of our shortcomings flash before our eyes in a never ending sequence of shame.

We hide our faces.

We are not worthy to look at the lamb that was slain.

Yet you don’t see us as wretched.

You see us through the eyes of an artist.

The creator who made what he made.

Who turns our imperfections into beauty.

While we hide our faces, you lift our chins.

You took on our guilt.

Our shame was buried with you.

You buried our iniquity in sheol and rose again, the hope of the world.

You revealed I am who I am.

Compassionate and gracious.

Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

Praise be that you Are who you Are.

Closing

Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.