Eternal God, our Father, as we bow our heads, come to us with a fresh awareness; as we close our eyes, give us the vision of Thyself and Thy glory. Tear the idols from Thy throne in our hearts that we may worship only Thee. Break the hold of self which we have allowed to grow stronger daily by thoughts, words, and deeds that center in our own welfare and comfort. Bring us to say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ---".
We praise Thee today that we are entering another season when we are called to celebrate the birth of Thy Son and to anchor our hope in His second coming in triumph. Help us to know that His light is still shining in the darkness and that the darkness will never put it out. Enable us, we pray, to hear the songs of angels over the noise and clamor of our world. O Lord, can we be taught to believe that the power of Thy Son's cry in the manger is greater than Herod's murder of the little children? This Christmas season may it be different with us! The world is still the same in our treatment of Him; but help us to know that He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever in His redeeming love and power. We thank Thee that we have this altar, this place of worship where we can come and have our faith renewed--and we thank Thee for that world out yonder which calls us to witness and serve Him in newness of life. May we not miss it again--but know that:
"Tho Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born,
If He is not born in us, our souls are all forlorn."
Hear our prayer for those whose needs are the greatest now: We pray for the sick, the suffering, the burdened, the mourners, the dying. We pray for the lost, the wandering and the seeking. We pray for a sure witness to our faith to the greater glory of God. And we pray that Thou wilt keep our faith alive to the hope of a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwell righteousness. All our prayers we say in His name. Amen
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