Here is a responsive liturgy/prayer of intercession for Christmas. It was written by Darren and posted on his Planet Telex blog.
On the Way to the Stable: The Down Side of Christmas
Let us think of those for whom life is hard at Christmas. Our response at the end of each sentence will be: "Give us loving hearts...." (allow a long pause between each couplet)
We are reminded of the Herod's of this world -
Give us loving hearts....
We are reminded of the suffering children, such as the orphans of war in Rwanda -
Give us loving hearts....
the starving ones in the Sudan -
Give us loving hearts....
the children of hate in Palestine and Northern Ireland -
Give us loving hearts....
the unwanted ones in affluent Australia -
Give us loving hearts....
Christmas will be a time of sadness for those separated from their loved ones,
such as refugees or visitors to our country -
Give us loving hearts....
children and parents separated through divorce-
Give us loving hearts....
those whose partners, grandparents, children or close friends have died -
Give us loving hearts....
those who are sick and those who care for them -
Give us loving hearts....
Dear God, help us to open our hearts to our neighbour.
Amen.
— from planet telex: musings of a youth worker, practitioner and armchair theologian downunder.
For more worship resources for Advent and Christmas, see the indexes at the top right side of this blog, or click on Advent or Christmas in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
