Thank you that your love falls down like snow, covering everything.
We need your love now, more than ever.
We confess that we hate some people:
people who have hurt us,
people who think differently than us,
people who look differently than us.
And we are careless enough to let hatred grow,
underestimating its power in our world.
God, we need a Saviour who can save us from ourselves.
Thank you for your love that covers our world like oceans.
Thank you for deep love that will help us care for those who are sick,
and be faithful companions to those who are grieving.
We think especially of….
Forgive us when we make idols of screens,
turning to them instead of to you,
neglecting those we are called to love truly and deeply.
Thank you for your love that moves us, like the wind,
pushing us to where your love is needed, giving us energy to be generous.
Thank you that love is a natural resource, all around us every day.
Thank you for the gift of an ordered society, clean water, health care:
These come to us from people who cared,
who worked to make the world a better place.
We pray today for societies that are breaking down,
like Venezuela, or where people are oppressed, like Gaza and North Korea.
Thank you for the gift of the Prince of Peace
who is born again in the hearts of all who work for peace.
You slip into our world in mysterious ways.
This Christmas we want our church community and our homes
to be filled with love,
we want to be opening our doors not just to those who are dear to us,
but to those who are on the edges.
Behold you stand at the door and knock.
Lord Jesus, come in!
Amen.
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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.