Oakwood Church Fresh Start Women's Devotional Encouragement for Today Hartland Delafield

The Christmas Prayer
By Lexi Ellis

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NIV)

Because I have a typical evangelical Protestant background, liturgies were not a common experience for me. While studying abroad in Scotland, I came to love the timeless, powerful words that have been written for the traditional liturgies. There is something powerful about the church speaking as one voice about the eternal truths of our God - - especially around Christmastime. Today, may this be our timeless prayer:

“Wonder of wonders, God has to come to us!
Not as a judge, but a Savior.
Not in power, but as a servant.

Wonder of wonders, God has come to us!
Not in silence, but in the Word made flesh.
Not in the shadows, but bringing Light.

Wonder of wonders, God is with us!

Angels sang their anthems at the midnight hour to awaken a sleeping creation;
Shepherds came to worship you, and went away rejoicing;
Wise ones gave their hearts to you, so they could dwell in yours.
O Emmanuel, we adore You.

You came as a baby, to hold us in Your grace;
You came to us in a stable, so we would have no trouble finding you;
You came to us in poverty, to enrich our lives.
O Beautiful Messenger of Peace, we adore You...

God became one of us, so that we could
see the face of love,
hear the voice of peace,
be touched by the hand of grace,
know the heart of mercy…

Child of Bethlehem, be born in us today:
forgive us,
heal us,
make us new;
We will join the angels in singing your praise this Christmas day and all the days to come. Amen.” (1)

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a place you can be alone today for a moment to read this aloud as a prayer to our God? Better yet, can you share it with someone else?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 2

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

(1) Thom M. Shuman. Christmas day liturgy, Year B. Revised Common Lectionary.