A Word from Pastor Lisa: A Christmas Prayer

O holy Child of Bethlehem,

descend to us, we pray,

cast out our sin and enter in,

be born in us today.

We greet your arrival with wonder, Loving God, that you would humble yourself and come to us as a child.

This year has humbled us with grief, loneliness, exhaustion, and anxiety.

Shine your light in our darkness and illumine our path with your presence.

Open our eyes to the blessings you’ve given us in our warm homes, our virtual connection with family and friends, the presents under the tree, and the food on our tables.

Make us mindful of those who are without loved ones, those battling illness, poverty, oppression, and despair, and those who long for hope.

We pray for those infected and affected by COVID-19, that you would surround them with compassion.

Until we can be together in person again, to hug and sing and worship and feast,

we hear the Christmas angels,

the great glad tidings tell:

O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” vs. 4, UMH #20