God, help us to look deeper this Advent and Christmas and to not let us get caught in a surface-deep understanding of Christmas.
It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth good will to men
From Heaven’s all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
Alpha and Omega, help us in solemn stillness to hear your angels’ songs once again and to contemplate the truths and reality of your Advent.
And ye beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing
Lord God, as we contemplate an “upside down Christmas,” may we lessen the burden for those crushed, toiling, taking slow and painful steps, whose hope seems to be faint.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed. (Isa. 61:1-2 NLT)
Sovereign Lord, may we be anointed by your Spirit to proclaim freedom and rescue to a world in need.
For lo the days are hastening on
By prophet bards foretold
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.
King of the Universe, may your return be soon and may peace flood the earth so that all the earth reflects your glory. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Amen.