“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish…. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9 v1a,2a,6

A Prayer for Christmas

Gracious God, who revealed yourself to us through the word made flesh, we know you are with us in the anxieties, uncertainty, and perplexity, that surrounds us as we approach Christmas and the New Year. In moments of such anxieties and uncertainties, caused by Covid 19, nothing sounds more reassuring than this Christmas story as foretold by Isaiah, that gloom and anguish do not have the final word.

So, God as we go about our celebrations and festivities this Christmas season, as we share happiness and good times with families and friends, we pray for those in our communities who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones and for whom Christmas will never be the same again. We pray for homes where there will be loneliness, tension and difficulties for everyone to get on together. We pray for people who have fallen into hard times, are depressed, without a job; all these leaving many homes in untold turmoil. Where many people can’t pay their mortgage and jobless families cannot feed themselves or lead dignified lives, as the prices at the grocery store go up. As a result, this year, Christmas is going to be hard for lots of people. God, show us these people this Christmas, and help us to love them, bless them, and let them know that you care.

We thank you for all our churches in the London Methodist District, and for the gallant army of church members and ministers who maintain and sustain them.
We give thanks for the work of so many who ensure that those who came to church follow Covid guidelines to protect each other and make worship safe.
We thank you for those who encouraged others who could not return immediately and enabled them to join virtually; and offered pastoral care, especially to those who fell on hard times.

Indeed, the Child born to us, Jesus Christ our Saviour, has remained the one whose reign we continue to fall under in the knowledge that He has great plans for us; plans to prosper us even when we can only say so by faith, because all around us seems to say otherwise. And even in those times where doubts and anguish creep in, as it was bound to, since we are after all just humans, the Wonderful counsellor has been quite active in our lives and has and will continue to guide us to peace. And for this, we give you thanks, God.

So, as we stand at the end of this year and the beginning a new year God, we seek your presence and Your guidance as we face the future. Amid life's uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.

May your love, peace, hope, and joy be with us in the year ahead.

Amen.