God of power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived. God of majesty, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head, we call on you. You see our thoughts and read our hearts yet love us beyond measure, sending your one and only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him. We turn to you in thanks and praise for sustaining us, holding us close, and drawing us together in unity with You and with each other.
God of hope, who brought love into this world in your Son, be the love that dwells between us. Cause us to love our neighbor as you have loved us, by sacrifice and the word of forgiveness.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world in your Son, be the peace that dwells between us. Cause us to declare peace, and to live it, in the midst of the world’s demand for unceasing and unyielding conflict and competition.
God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be our firm foundation, anchoring us in the Good News.
The good news, that in the lowly manger in the stable, in the victorious humility of the cross, in the triumph of the empty tomb, there is hope for the hopeless.
The good news that in beautiful slavery to Christ, there is liberty from the bondage of sin.
The good news that in a world full of condemnation, in the advent of our Lord, there is grace for the sinner.
Anoint us with the oil of joy, poured out in the precious blood of the Anointed One, the Word made flesh, come into the world to save it.
AMEN.