These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Christmas without the Crazy.” The bolded words are spoken by the congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”
Week 1: “Releasing Frustration, Finding Hope”
Hope is a light cresting over the horizon
to show a world made new.
Hope is a meal shared among friends,
a covenant of faith sealed in bread and wine.
Hope is a promise that the worst can never quite come,
when the Spirit dwells in our hearts.
Come to us, Lord Jesus!
Refresh us with your hope.
Week 2: “Releasing Anxiety, Finding Peace“
The angel said: “Be not afraid.” The angels sang: “peace on earth!”
But the prophet worried, hearing “peace, peace, when there is no peace.”
Jesus said: “peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.”
Yet peace can feel so out of reach.
Come to us, Lord Jesus!
Refresh us with your peace.
Week 3: “Releasing Control, Finding Joy“
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Isaiah said, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my whole being shall exult in my God.”
Paul said, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
We say, “Come, Lord Jesus! Refresh us with your joy.”
Week 4: “Releasing Perfection, Finding Love“
(from Love Came Down at Christmas by Christina Rossetti)
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus, but what will be our sacred sign?
Love shall be our token, love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and others, love for plea and gift and sign.
Christmas Eve:
Come in from the dark
and see the light of the Christ child
Come away from sorrow
and rejoice with the shepherds
Come as you are
because this gift of Christmas is for us
Come to the miracle
We worship the infant king!
Deep Well Worship 