God, the message of the angels of Bethlehem was true.
Good news of great joy came with Jesus’ birth,
with his life, with his sacrifice for us,
and with his glorious resurrection, also announced by angels.
We wait so hopefully for great joy.
Open our eyes to the angels who walk among us,
caring for the sick, comforting the brokenhearted,
standing up for those whose voices are silenced,
doing the hard and holy work of bringing your peace on earth.
Thank you that you have never stopped sending angels.
Help us to be angels, heralds of love,
believing in your power to bring down the mighty,
believing that truth will triumph over lies,
and that hatred will never have the last word.
Help us this week to resist the power of lies,
the ones we tell ourselves,
and especially the ones we tell our loved ones.
Lying is so easy and simple to do, and so devastating.
We pray especially today for the peace of Jerusalem.
A holy city for so many, it is torn by tension,
and just as when Jesus was born,
giant empires dictate its rise and fall.
Raise up peacemakers who can speak truth to power,
and unmask violence of every type.
Thank you for the way you are entering into our world
every day, being born again in the humblest of places,
wherever love shines.
Come, Lord Jesus.
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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.