CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, on this wondrous night we have made our way, amid all the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping and preparation, to this beautiful sanctuary. We have come to ponder your promise of peace and receive the Christ Child into our hearts once more. We confess our need to be reminded, each day, why we decorate, dress up and celebrate in December. We get caught up in the Santa tradition and fail to talk about Jesus. Remind us that it is the birth of Jesus that makes the season holy, not the mission of Santa Claus. Open our mouths to give thanks for the precious gift of Jesus. Carry us back to that chilly night. Let us, with Mary and Joseph, marvel at the newborn babe, who has come to us, to abide with us, our Emmanuel. We stand with the shepherds in humbled silence looking upon the face of innocence, awed that this tiny child is the one the angels call Messiah. Our hearts rejoice. Tonight and through all our tomorrows, we give thanks, for the wondrous Gift of you, Our Abba Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
As God has given us the gift of the Christ Child, so too we honor God, offering our gifts so that people throughout the earth will have the opportunity to hear what we have heard, to know what we have come to know and receive the blessings and assurance we have received.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous God, giver of the greatest gift of all; bless the gifts we have brought to your service. May they help to transform lives and brighten the hearts of all the people we seek to serve throughout the world. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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