With excitement, Great God, we, like the Shepherds, look for your glory to be revealed in the birth of Jesus. May our proclamation be filled with joy and promise. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Watchword for the Week:

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The mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is His name.

Luke 1:49

Today’s Watchword:

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For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.

Isaiah 60:2

Doctrinal Text:

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When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Luke 2:15

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Responsive Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-38

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Covenant prayer:

Faithful and True, I want to be more of you, though there are changes in me, but not yet fully reflecting your image. Forgive me for my unwillingness to change and the failure to recognize the needs of others and using my freedom to bless others that they too can join me in bringing glory to your Holy Name.

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God desires that we get rid of all our idols:

Lord, I renounce them all: my racism, my ethnocentrism, my sexism, and every other way that I have pretended to be good. Empower me to use every gift I have received to intentionally use for your salvation plan for the world.

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God invites us to become one with Christ and one with each other.

I do not want the world to see me, but Christ in me. As I forgive, may others experience Christ’s forgiveness. As I show mercy, may others experience Christ’s mercy. As I work to restore the lives of those who have been traumatized, they will experience Christ’s restorative justice.

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Grace is the only way to a liberating relationship with God.

Jesus, I accept your unmerited favor given sacrificially to me, a sinner. For the lives that I have harmed through my selfish actions, with my words, and with my thoughts. As your servant, help me to listen to others, accepting that this life is about all of us in you.

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You need to be aware that there will be suffering.

As coworkers with Christ, help me join in solidarity with all who suffer injustice and oppression. I will be present with all who suffer, to support those who grieve and to be the voice so that the voiceless can be heard.

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God has given us love as the rule of your life.

As God is love, make me to love too with all my heart, all of my soul, all of my mind and all of my strength. Through me, let your unmerited favor be extended to everybody with no one left out nor left behind.

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God knows and searches your life.

Immanuel is His Name – God with us. Because you are always with me, you know when I have failed you and others. You also celebrate when I have done what is pleasing in your sight. You are patient when I am maturing in Christ, even if it seems slow. God, I want to grow deeper in your love and to be more committed in my service. Thank you for your love and sacred embrace. Thank you for your wisdom, fellowship and Word. May these promises and intention I declare bring forth fruit of righteousness to your glory now and forever more, this I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen