Good morning.
Today is Sunday,
December 27th,
2020,
The third day of Christmas.
Oh Lord,
Let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to God,
The three in one,
Creator,
Redeemer,
And sustainer.
As it was in the beginning,
Is now,
And will be forever.
Amen.
Come let us sing together.
Let us worship and adore Christ the Lord.
Remind yourself that you are in God's presence.
Notice how God may be speaking to you this morning.
Let yourself dwell on any word or phrase that catches your attention and let your heart respond to God in prayer.
Please repeat these words.
We glorify and praise the Lord.
For all we have seen and heard.
Our reading today is Luke two verses 15 through 20.
When the angels had returned to heaven,
The shepherds said to one another,
Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see this event that God has made known to us.
They hurried and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger.
Once they saw this,
They reported what they had been told concerning the child.
All who heard about it were astonished at the report given by the shepherds.
Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.
The shepherds went away glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
Just as they had been told.
Please repeat these words.
We glorify and praise the Lord.
For all we have seen and heard.
I invite you now to hold someone before the Lord this morning.
Anyone that the Spirit of God leads your mind to rest on.
Lift that person up before God.
As we reflect together,
Led by the words of Ann Weems,
Mary,
Nazareth girl.
Mary,
Nazareth girl.
What did you know of a ethereal beings with messengers from God?
What did you know of men when you found yourself with child?
What did you know of babies?
You barely out of childhood yourself.
God chosen girl.
What did you know of God that brought you to this stable?
Most blessed among women.
Could it be that you had been ready,
Waiting,
Listening for the footsteps of an angel?
Could it be that there are messages for us if we have the faith to listen?
We pray together in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray.
Our Father which art in heaven.
Eternal God,
Earth maker,
Pain bearer,
Life giver.
Source of all that is and all that shall be.
Not only Father but Mother of us all.
May the hallowing of your name echo through the universe.
May the way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world.
May your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
May your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another,
Forgive us.
In times of temptation and test,
Strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure,
Spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil,
Free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love now and forever.
Amen.
And now my friends let us go from this place.
Proclaiming that we have seen the glory of God.
Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkest shadows.
A brightness that will never be overcome.
And may the love of the creator,
The joy of the spirit and the peace of the Christ child be with you this Christmas and forevermore.
Amen.
Go in peace.
