For those who will be leading worship over the coming weeks during this special time of year, a prayer of thanksgiving from my book Prayers for All Seasons.
Loving God,
we thank you for this glad time of year,
this Advent season that reminds us of so much,
and that reveals so wonderfully the extent of your love.
For your coming and coming again in Christ,
we thank you.
This is a time for looking back
and remembering the birth of your Son,
light into our darkness;
a time for looking forward and anticipating his coming again,
as he returns to establish your kingdom and rule in your name;
but above all a time for the present moment,
for examining our lives, searching our hearts,
exploring your word, and renewing our faith;
a time for recognising more fully
that Jesus is with us each moment of every day, now and always.
For your coming and coming again in Christ,
we thank you.
Loving God,
you came to our world in humility,
born of Mary in a stable.
You will come once more in glory,
through the risen and ascended Christ.
You are with us now even as we speak,
here through your Holy Spirit making Jesus real!
We praise you the great truth of Advent.
For your coming and coming again in Christ,
we thank you.
In his name.
Amen.