Heavenly Father,
Our hearts unite in anticipation of the coming of our Savior, in the perfect and beautiful form of a baby. We praise you for seeing our need and answering in the most wonderful, unimaginable, and appropriate way. We prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, offering you worship in spirit and truth.
Let these days of anticipation be spent in communion with you, Lord. Open our hearts and minds to a discipline of prayer, praise, study, and fellowship. Remind us to prioritize appropriately, turning aside from crass commercialism and toward You and the coming Baby King. Let all of our actions be pleasing in your sight.
We pray the words of the hymn writer, claiming them as our own in devotion to our Savior:
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Amen.
© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010
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