Lord, as we remember your coming at Christmas, we’re waiting for Jesus to come to us once more.

“You called, You cried,
you shattered my deafness.

You sparkled, you blazed,
you drove away my blindness.

You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath,
and I pant for you.

I tasted and now I hunger and thirst.

You touched me, and now I burn with longing
for your peace.”

—Confessions by St. Augustine

This cold, broken stable of a world needs you here.

We’re waiting for Jesus to heal us. To deliver us from our sins and enemies. We need your knowledge and truth to renew our minds. Melt away our despair with the warmth of hope and joy. Turn our fear to courage and our grief to rejoicing. Fill us with your Spirit, bearing every kind of fruit so we can love in your name. Come, Jesus, and satisfy the longings of our hearts.

Today we reach for you, yearning for Jesus to enter more fully into our lives, our hearts, and our homes. Give us more of you so we can know your power and love and be changed.

Let us know you as our Emmanuel—God with us in every moment.
Amen.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

…for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
(Psalm 63:1, 7-8)