Prayers for the Coming of Christ

1 Advent: The coming of the Lord

God of hope, when Christ your Son appears may he not find us asleep or idle, but active in his service and ready.

2 Advent: The hope of Israel

God of Israel old and new, write in our hearts the lessons of your law; prepare our minds to receive the gospel made visible in your Son Jesus Christ.

3 Advent: The forerunner

God for whom we wait and watch, you sent John the Baptist to prepare for the coming of your Son; give us courage to speak the truth even to the point of suffering.

4 Advent: A God near at hand
Praise and honour to you living God; your coming will be like a thief in the night, like lightning flashing across the sky. Grant that we may be ready, and our hearts answer, Come Lord Jesus.

Christmas: God with us
Son of God, Child of Mary, born in the stable at Bethlehem, be born again in us this day that through us the world may know the wonder of your love.