Almighty God, creator of everything that exists, you are all knowing, infinitely powerful, ultimately holy and perfectly just.
You declared to Moses that you are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7).
So, how can it be that we, knowing our guilt, can dare to approach you in prayer? It is only because you sent that newborn king whom the angels heralded – Jesus! He came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Heavenly Father, we who have been saved praise you for your two great gifts. The first is that you so loved the world, that you gave your only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). The second is that through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, you gave us the gift of faith in your son. We joyfully say with the Apostle Paul, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
Lord Jesus, today we mark the beginning of the season of advent, a remembrance of your coming. We celebrate your coming into this world and your coming into the heart of every believer. Each Christian here is eternally grateful that you came not to be served but to serve, and to give your life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). With profound joy, each of us declares, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
All these glorious truths we celebrate this season. Lord, we rejoice, too, in the sweet bonds of family and fellowship and in the heart-warming traditions of Christmas feasts, exchanging gifts, and worshiping together.
Lord, you know our hearts thoroughly. You know that Christmas is an emotional season for each of us, and while mostly joyful, those emotions sometimes include sorrow. Some of us lament relationships with parents, siblings, children or friends that are no more because of death or sin. Some of us ache because distance separates us from those we love. Lord, we plead for your comfort on all those dealing with such sorrows. May we be part of that comfort. Holy Spirit, please help us to abundantly love those around us who are dealing with such sorrows. May we listen to them well and understand their feelings. Please enable us to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Help us, Lord God, to point them to Christ. May we share the promise that all those who surrender to Jesus as Lord will one day have every tear wiped away, death will be no more (Revelation 21:4), and all of God’s children will be filled with eternal pleasures at his right hand (Psalms 16:11).
Finally, Heavenly Father, please haste the day when Jesus’ second advent will occur and all will be made right. Come again, Lord Jesus, come! (Revelation 22:20)
We pray all this for your glory and the good of your people. Amen.
Celebrate Advent With Us
To help prepare your hearts this season, join us at 11 a.m. on Sundays at Covenant Hope Church. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at Legacy Church at North East Park (3737 1st St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33704).
Looking for resources to celebrate the coming of Christ? You can also read our recent blog post on our recommended 2023 Advent resources:
2023 Advent Resources to Help You Celebrate the Christmas Season