Glorious Father, you have revealed your glory, your grace and your truth by sending your only Son to become flesh and dwell among us. Enlighten darkened hearts with this true light that shines on everyone, that all might hear, believe, and receive the right to become children of God; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
O Lord, you have filled this holy night with the brightness of the true Light, Jesus Christ. You have revealed your peace and goodwill through him and have given us blessed hope. Increase our joy with that news that a child is born to us, a Son is given to us; your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
God, loving Father, you sent your one and only Son, have mercy. Jesus Christ, you are the Word who became flesh to save the world, have mercy. Holy Spirit, you connect us to the love and power of God with your Word, have mercy.
Holy Trinity, splendor and majesty are yours. Holy Trinity, glory and strength are yours.
Jesus, promised seed of the woman, our shield and great reward, Bringer of peace, One to whom the scepter belongs, promised Prophet, Son of David, Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Shepherd of your people Israel, from of old, from ancient times, Word who became flesh, Savior, Lord’s anointed, have mercy on us.
Jesus, because you were conceived by the Holy Spirit, because you were born of the virgin Mary, because you became flesh and made your dwelling among us, because you became truly human, like us in every way, except without sin, because you endured every hardship common to humanity, because you suffered under Pontius Pilate, because you were crucified, because you suffered death as the wages of the world’s sin, because you were buried, hear our prayer.
Jesus, because you broke the gates of hell, because you proclaimed your victory in Satan’s realm, because you rose in glory, because you recalled faithless disciples and restored their faith by saying “Peace,” because you ascended on high, because you intercede for us at your Father’s right hand, hear our prayer.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of Mary, have mercy on us. Jesus, Lamb of God, grant us your peace.
To us a child is born. To us a Son is given.
Lord Jesus Christ, Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, give us your blessed hope as we hear again of your first coming. Fill our lives with the glory of your love, and empower us to live to your glory, for you are God’s gift of love, once wrapped in swaddling clothes, now wrapped in the pages of Scripture, no longer in a cattle stall or feeding trough, but living and reigning with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, dwelling in the highest glory, granting peace to your people, now and forever. Amen.
Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation this Christmas with this collection of Prayers from the Evangelical-Lutheran Heritage – Christmas Sampler. This collection draws on the history of the Lutheran Church from Luther to Loehe (1500s-1800s). The whole book can be purchased through Amazon.com at this link: http://amzn.to/2AXqUzi
To preview, download this free pdf of a sampling of the Christmas prayers:
The New Ancient Collects is a revision of the classic Ancient Collects and Other Prayers by Dr. William Bright. These treasures of the ancient Christian church have been refreshed in contemporary English, and the collection is available for purchase through Amazon.com at this link: http://amzn.to/2hFSvNR
To preview, download this free pdf of a sampling of the Christmas prayers:
There are two traditions for the theme of the Last Sunday of the Church Year.
The older tradition is the emphasis of End Time and its transition into Advent. In the Historic Lutheran Lectionary, the Gospel for the Last Sunday of the Church Year was the parable of the ten virgins, with the emphasis on readiness for Christ’s return. Sometimes this was called “Sunday of the Fulfillment.” (See Wikipedia article on Totensonntag.)
The newer tradition is the observance of Christ the King, which is also fitting. Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end of all things. Often Christ the King has a passion emphasis, which shows us that Christ as King is not always what we would expect. The Passion Gospels are an opportunity to proclaim the Theology of the Cross. Even as King, Christ suffered, and he revealed the glory of his love in his suffering. As his loyal subjects, we can expect suffering in the world, too.
Father of heavenly lights
we pray for our nation in the coming election.
As we choose our leaders
guide us by your commandments
and teach us not to put our trust
in mortal men who cannot save,
but to trust you alone
for every good and perfect gift.
Lord Jesus, you are the King of kings
and Lord of lords,
and you live and reign over all.
Bless your church
and move us to use the freedoms our nation grants us
to make your Gospel known in our land.
Spirit of life,
stir our faith in your holy Word so that,
even as we do what we can and as we seek to do your will,
we trust your promise that you are our Refuge and Fortress,
and that you alone can work all things
for the good of your holy people.
Gracious God, rule in our hearts alone—now and forever.
A Collection of Prayers 