Away in a manger,
No crib for his bed.
Advent Jesus,
Our hearts break for those who are displaced due to war, violence, oppression, or persecution, who have nowhere to lay their weary heads.
Our souls ache for the homeless who are facing winter weather and have no place to stay warm.
And our spirits cry out for those who find that the place they once called home is no longer safe or healthy for them to remain in.
Currently in the United States the unemployment rate has risen to a four year high as of November. And the fall out can result in depression, low self-esteem, and feeling defeated, as well as the physical repercussions. We pray against the powers that assuage us toward consumerism and economic pressures associated with this season. May we instead, remember, that the focus of this season ought to be on hope, peace, joy, and love.
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Christmas Jesus,
We pray for areas in our world that are affected by war and all that comes with armed conflict.
This week we specifically lift up Ukraine and Russia, Cambodia and Thailand, Sudan, Nigeria, Ivory Coast (Republic of Côte d’Ivoire), Benin, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, for India and Pakistan, for Eritrea and Ethiopia.
We also lift up other major world religions celebrating at this time of year. Our prayers specifically go out to those targeted in the Bondi Beach (Australia) Hannukah attack and those who are living in fear. We give thanks for those who stepped in to offer their support in very tangible ways, especially to Ahmed al Ahmed (originally from Syria) who put himself in harms way that others’ lives might be spared. And for the Sydney residents who gave blood en masse following the attack.
We pray for Narges Mohammadi (Iran) a Nobel Laureate who was taken to hospital following beatings. Mohammadi received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her activism against female oppression in Iran and promoting human rights and has since faced backlash and threats.
And we ask for the safe return of Father Ssekabira, of the Catholic Diocese of Maska (Uganda) whose suspicious kidnapping following accusations of “violent subversive activities” is currently being investigated by human rights groups who have noted an increase in enforced disappearances and prolonged detentions without trials.
Peace on earth,
And mercy mild.
God and sinners reconciled.
We give thanks for acts of reconciliation around the globe. We especially lift up South Africa who celebrated their reconciliation day on December 16. This annual commemoration established in 1995 seeks to foster national unity, healing, and forgiveness following apartheid by acknowledging the country’s past divisions and promoting a vision of a shared and inclusive future. This day offers an opportunity to reflect on historical wounds, address deep-seated inequalities, and renew commitment to building a democratic nation through mutual understanding and amends.
We give thanks for the 123 prisoners freed from Belarus following the United States agreeing to lift sanctions on potash.
We pray that tensions may be eased between Belarus and Lithuania regarding balloons from Belarus carrying crates of cheap cigarettes causing shutdowns in Lithuania.
And we pray for the strained relations between Japan and China resulting in twin pandas being returned to Beijing and Japan being without a panda for the first time in half a century.
Silent Night,
Holy Night,
All is calm.
All is bright.
Even in the midst of the heaviness and chaos of the world,
There is still reason to hope and to rejoice,
As we see glimmers of the Christ light breaking through.
We rejoice that Lagos, Nigeria, hosted their first street art festival and for all the ways that the arts transform us and our communities.
For the more than 7,000 people who signed an open letter pressuring the Church of England to practice genuine inclusion of members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
For Annie Ernaux (France) who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 and gives her life to advocate against the dangers of illegal abortion after she nearly died from one 62 years ago. We pray for areas where abortion is still illegal or restricted including the United States and Poland leading some women to make unsafe choices.
And for Umar Nawaz (originally from Pakistan and now living in the United Kingdom) who was able to return home for the first time in November, since fleeing at the age of 7, to play an international football match against Syria. We give thanks for the ways sports and culture can bring us closer together and remind us of our shared earth.
Yet in thy dark street shineth,
An everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years,
Are met in thee tonight.
We give thanks for the work of International Justice Mission as they host their annual Dressember event – a global opportunity to dress up and raise much needed awareness and funds against human and sex trafficking.
And we give thanks for many other organizations – both big and small, both secular and faith-based that offer support and practical aid to those most in need at this time of year.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels,
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!
Amen.
(Christmas Carol References: Away in a Manger, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Hark the Herald Angel Sing, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem)
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