Christmas Day | Saturday, 25 December 2021

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Christmas Day 2021

A Beginning
“To us, watchful and waiting, a gift has been slipped into our midst. A tiny child, born in a manger. A gift of peace to troubled souls and dangerous streets.  A gift of joy to sad hearts and cautious lives. A gift of hope to wearied brows and oppressed peoples.  A tiny baby.  A gift from God meant for us.  Open your hearts, raise your voices, give thanks to the Giver, welcome the Gift!”

 An Invocation
“Wondrous God, open our hearts and minds so we may hear once again the angels' song and know that Christ is born for us and for all. Touch the world with joy this holy day and fill us with peace and childlike wonder. Surprise us and bless us with the simple miracle of the birth of the Christ child. Amen.”

PRAYER
“Wondrous God, take us into your story. Let us be filled with wonder like the shepherds, be as loving as Mary and Joseph and sing with joy like the angels.  Take us to Bethlehem and fill us with peace and surprise us with joy.

Holy God, we thank you for Christmas joy - for gifts and family gatherings, for renewed friendships and splendid meals. We thank you for lighted candles, carols sung, and faith put into action. We thank you for hope kindled, peace restored and visions of a new world. God of Christmas blessings, we thank you. Amen.”

 “Joy has come to the world; peace has come on earth; we need worry no more.

Immanuel, God be with us, we have prayed for so long, and now God is here.  In the serendipity and surprise of a Child, in the wonder of two young parents, in the wisdom of sages and the humility of shepherds, in innkeepers who make room when there is no room, in all these narratives and more, we know your presence among us.

Let us not forget, as gorgeous papers and ribbons clutter our living rooms, what we know here and now. The ultimate gift is your Son: Christ is born in Bethlehem, wrapped in the normal blankets of a normal child, yet containing deep within the genetics of joy, the seeds of peace, the DNA of salvation.

Bless our own gift giving that it, too, be marked with joy and filled with peace. Let our gratitude to others show, and let it come straight from our gratitude for you. In the name of the Child. Amen.”

 BLESSING
“May Jesus, wonderful Counselor, grant you wisdom;  May Jesus, mighty God, establish and uphold you in righteousness; May Jesus, Prince of Peace, sustain you in love from this day forward.”  Amen

 MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DOUG AND JUDY