Author: Robin.Kyd

Eternal God, who by the shining of a star led the wise men to worship the Christ child:
guide us in this new year by the light of your Word,
that we may seek him with humble hearts and find in him the fullness of grace and truth.
Grant us wisdom to follow where he leads, courage to proclaim his glory,
and love to serve him in all whom we meet.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Almighty God, who on this day broke into our world as a child in Bethlehem,
grant that the light which dawned in that stable may shine ever more brightly in our hearts
and in all the world.
As we have beheld your glory in the face of the infant Jesus, strengthen our hope in his promised return,
when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord.
Until that day, make us faithful witnesses of your Kingdom,
living as people of hope who know that the One who came will surely come again.
Amen

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to take our nature upon him and to be born of a virgin:
Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the same Spirit be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Amen

Almighty God, you spoke through prophets and fulfilled your word through the birth of your Son.
As we await the celebration of his coming, stir in us the faith of Joseph,
who trusted Your promises even when they defied understanding.
Help us to recognize Your presence in unexpected places and to welcome Emmanuel, God with us,
into every corner of our lives.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.
Amen

Eternal God, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of your Son.
Grant us the wisdom to see your purpose and openness to hear your will,
that we too may prepare the way for Christ who is coming in power and glory
to establish his kingdom of peace and justice; through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever.
Amen

God of all hope and expectation,
as we journey through this season of Advent, teach us the discipline of waiting.
When the world rushes past, slow our hearts to watch and listen for your coming.
When despair threatens to overwhelm, remind us of your promises that never fail.
Grant us the courage of John the Baptist to speak truth and call others to repentance.
Give us eyes to see the tender shoot growing from Jesse’s stump,
even when the world looks like a barren wilderness,
for we ask in the name of Who was, and is, and is to come.
Amen