God of grace, thank you for this season of waiting.
Thank you for the beauty of the sleeping earth
waiting for spring’s new life.
Thank you for the joy of children
waiting for the excitement of gift giving.
Thank you for the gift of familiar carols,
whose joyful music touches waiting hearts.
Thank you for far-flung family and friends
that we can’t wait to see this season.
Thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ;
we have been waiting for a Saviour.
We pray for all who are waiting this morning;
people who are waiting for an end to violence
because they have known too much war;
people who are waiting for healing
because they live with sickness and pain;
people who are waiting for good news
because they are weighed down with sorrow.
We pray for all of the earth that is waiting–
creatures who are waiting for protection
because their environment has been destroyed;
waterways that are waiting for renewal
because they have been contaminated;
lands that are waiting to be redeemed from pollution
because we have forgotten that God called the
land good.
Throughout the world, in and on and under it,
waiting happens, waiting grows and gathers,
the earth is pregnant waiting for redemption.
In eager expectation we wait for the revelation of the Son of God.
“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts, the blessings of his heaven,
no ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Lord enters in.”
Philip Brooks, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.