ADVENT DAY 20: PRAYER OF EXPECTATION

Coming Lord Jesus,

We are excited. The anticipation for Christmas has been full of wonder and excitement, but we confess that we have so often taken the season of celebration and made it a season of selfishness and sentiment. Forgive us for the time when we have loved gifts over your grace. We have loved ourselves and our families more than we have loved you. We need you, Jesus, to be the center of our celebration; be the reason we celebrate.

As we celebrate, Lord Jesus, we long for you to come again as you promised you would. We pray that we would be ready for your coming, and I pray that as we prepare for Christmas, that you would prepare our hearts for the day when you will return. Thank you for coming a lowly baby to associate with us; we now long for your coming as a reigning king to rule over us in perfect justice and peace. Come, Lord Jesus. O Come, O Come Immanuel.

We pray that you would give us grace this Christmas as we gather with family. We pray for those we hold dear who do not know you. We ask that you would make yourself and your gift of grace known to them this Christmas. Give us grace as we grieve those who are not with us this Christmas. Give us wisdom as we finish another year and begin a new one. Give us peace as we face turmoil and confusion in the world around.

Lord Jesus, give us your joy as celebrate you this Christmas. AMEN.