Once, it was foretold that your son would be conceived of a virgin.
Come, Lord Jesus.
God was silent, for four hundred years, before the birth of your son.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amid the struggles of desolation and loneliness, Mary kept the faith.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We wait humbly, patiently, in reverence for you this Christmas season.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We wait for you to come again.
Come, Lord Jesus.
reading based on Isaiah 7:14
Like Mary this Christmas season, the Lord has come upon us.
We are highly favored.
Like Mary, sometimes we are troubled at Your words. Yet so unlike she, we hesitate to unabashedly follow You.
You are highly favored.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, may we find time to be quieted and humbled enough in Your presence to listen to the promptings of Your Spirit.
You are highly favored.
reading based on Luke 1:26-38
Lord, you direct us in the ways we should go, as servants for Your word.
Lord, seat us humbly at your feet.
Lord, you wear the crown of the coming King, yet we are usurpers to your throne.
Lord, seat us in Your courts.
Lord, You are the bread of life, and we are hungry for You.
Lord, seat us at Your table.
reading based on Luke 1:46-56
Lord, like Mary, we travel as outcasts both unfamiliar and unwelcome in this world, country, city, home, and self.
Lord, we look to You to make straight our paths in the wilderness as we prepare the way for the coming of Christ.
Our feet are swollen from walking paths You have not called for us to walk.
We await Christ’s birth.
Our minds are clouded with fears, doubts, and worry.
We await Christ’s birth.
Our backs are stooped and broken, carrying the burdens we were not meant to carry.
We await Christ’s birth.
Our bellies crave that which appetites cannot suffice.
We await Christ’s birth.
Lord, we are pregnant with dreams and desires, thanks, and praise that belong only unto You.
We await with faith and hope the coming of the Christ-child who will be our salvation
reading based on Luke 2:1-7
Gabriel brings the news
Joseph takes on Mary and the baby blues
We treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts
She carries the baby on the donkey’s back
animals offer up shelter, it’s an inn that they lack
We treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts
heavenly hosts’ light show — do you see this?
shepherds open hearts to witness
We treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts
wise men bringing gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh
let them know Herod’s sniffing ’round, got to get out of here
Christmas is not about the cacophony.
It’s about Jesus, about clarity.
Help me to see thee.
reading based on Luke 2:19
What began at the garden
to the book of Revelation
and all points in between
beginning and the end
on the cross, and up to Canaan
and all points in between
the birth and the death
all in his hands so you can rest
and all points in between
reading based on Luke 2:7, John 19:26-27