We believe in GOD, the divine beginner and imaginative creator of all things good and precious.
The earth and all the creatures who dwell upon it, are GOD’S labor of love,
and we are the appointed stewards.
We believe GOD so loved us that in time GOD came to us in human form;
birthed like us, an infant boy tiny and helpless, our Emmanuel.
We believe in the healing and redeeming power of JESUS’ name and claim him as our savior.
We believe he claimed us when he gave his life for us on a cross.
We believe the GOD of would not abandon JESUS, the beloved.
GOD raised JESUS from the dead, inviting us all to embrace the promise of eternal life in Christ.
We believe in the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, who is always with us,
helping us to walk the path of righteousness and genuineness.
As Christ’s body in the world, we believe, no matter what happens in the world,
we are to love one another as GOD has loved us, in Christ JESUS our LORD. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Our Loving ABBA Father, when Christmas falls on Sunday, we become even more aware that this day was meant to be a day of gratitude and pondering the meaning of your most precious gift. We all have traditions that we follow on Christmas day. Some of us spend the whole day in our PJs. Some of us open our stockings before breakfast and the-under-the-tree-presents after breakfast. Some of us stay home and some of us travel over the river and through the woods to see children and grandchildren, singing our favorite carols on the journey. However, as we spend hours celebrating with loved ones and friends, we will also take that most important moment celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. We will think about why the babe has come to us, to abide with us. And, in the midst of the gleeful cheers and excitement , going on all around us, we will ponder how this Christmas Day is meant to change our lives for the better. Thank you. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
It’s Christmas morning. How do you go about opening your gifts? Do you open them in any certain order? Do you open them according to the name of the giver? When I was growing up there were always gifts under the tree from our pets— my father called them our 4-legged brothers and sisters— a sweater from our goldens, Exit and Minnie, or mittens from the 3 legged black lab, Joshua. We received fun and funny gifts and always one, seriously, special gift from Mom and Dad. It was something we had longed for, and often something that took my breath away. The gift of the Christ child is that longed for gift, so exquisite, so precious that it takes our breath for a moment, until we catch it once again and breathe him in.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, the arrival of the Christ child is always in the nick of time and reminds us that life is more than the sum of our possessions. What you have given us in person of Jesus, is beyond measure. Accept the gifts we set before you today as a gesture of our love and reverence. We offer them with full and grateful hearts proclaiming our belief that all things are possible with you. Pour out your blessing upon us and this offering. We offer ourselves in service, seeking always, to do your work and will, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
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