Loving God, we, like the shepherds of the night watch, have come to give thanks for the
good-tidings-of-great-joy-child, the child born in the city of David, the messiah, the Lord. We have come to embrace him anew as we commemorate the night of his birth. In anticipation of his birth we cant’ wait to adorn our homes and our evergreens with bright lights that shine out into the night. We are eager to see how people dress up their homes and yards welcoming the Christ child. Remind us too, most gracious God, that the lights not only welcome Jesus, they are symbols of his everlasting light, for Jesus came to be the light that shines in the darkness, the light that cannot be overcome by the darkness. We embrace your light and humbly repeat the prayer Jesus taught us. Dearest Abba Father, in heaven, we hallow your name offering our thanks and praise. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We ask no more than our daily bread and that you forgive our faults and trespasses, empowering us to forgive the faults and trespasses of others. Let us not be overcome by the temptations of the world, and deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
BRINGING OUR GIFTS
As God has given us the gift of the Christ Child, so too we honor him by offering our treasures to help the helpless and to shine Christ’s light in their darkness as we work to heal our broken world. Our Christmas offering is designated to help save children from death by malaria and to insure the strong faith foundation of our children. Let our generosity proclaim Gods profound message of goodwill to all throughout the earth born in us tonight.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous God, giver of the greatest, most wonderful gift of all; bless the treasures 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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