Rise within us like the star
And make us restless
Till we journey on
To seek our peace in you
Song “O sing a song of Bethlehem”
A candle is lit.
We light a candle for light, sending
prayers high into the inky heavens and
dreams deep into our human soul.
We light a candle for light. May it light our way.
We say the Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Psalm 68
When you, God, went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
We pray this Christmas time, for people and situations that are on our hearts, for people who cannot afford to heat their homes or buy food, for those on strike, for those on long hospitals waiting lists, for Gaza and Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Hong Kong, China, our governments, for those who are alone and those suffering with depression, for the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees and victims of climate change. May we not fail you though we face great dangers.Give us your peace, your wisdom and your strength. Amen
Take us to Bethlehem
House of bread
Where the empty are filled
The poor find riches
And the rich recognise their poverty
Where all kneel, worship
And are fed.
Pat Nimmo and © Janet Morley adapted
