O God, creator of the universe and giver of all good gifts to your children – Why are you so good to us? On this Christmas Sunday, we thank you that you have not forgotten us, abandoned us, or rejected us, despite all that speaks against us.  We thank you that you have come to us, Jesus Christ.

Today we gather to celebrate your gift of hope and peace. We praise you that you have invited us to your table of mercy and grace. Because we have learned to trust you, we bring to you all that troubles us: our mistakes and failings, our sorrows and cares, our rebellion and bitterness, and our whole heart and life.  All that is better known to you than to ourselves.

This morning we offer ourselves to you just as we are and we pray for strength in our weaknesses and for help to be responsible with the abundance of your goodness.  We thank you for the music of the season that reminds us of your love that embraces us at the time we need it the way we need it the most.

This morning we are reminded that you desire for us to learn to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you and that your offer of peace on earth begins in our hearts before it gets lived out in the world. Give us the wisdom and insight needed to become instruments of your love and peace.

We pray that you be born in our hearts today so that we may have a clear and courageous witness to your love.

O God, on this Christmas Sunday, we offer ourselves to you in the same spirit in which you have offered yourself to us. We offer ourselves in the name of Jesus the Christ who taught us to pray saying:  “Our Father, who art in heaven…Amen”