Alternate Prayers for the Season of Christmas

© 2015 — Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org)

These alternate prayers are provided for those who would like to use liturgical petitions and responses specific to the season of Christmas. Permission is granted to active subscribers of the Sola Online Worship Resource Site to print, cut and paste, and reproduce these prayers for local congregational use.

Confession and Forgiveness
P:	We are gathered in the name of the Father, and of the Son +, and of the Holy Spirit.
C:	Amen.
P: 	Calling to mind our need for God’s mercy and grace, let us confess our sin to the One who walks with us 		through our human life.
(Silence for self-reflection and examination)
P:	God of life and light,
C:	You join us in our humanity through your Son Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, and you know our 		frailties and failings. Pardon our selfishness, release us from captivity to all that leads us away from 		you, center our lives on the manger and the cross,  and restore us to a right relationship with you. 
P:	God who is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love, forgives you all your sins in the name of 		the Father, and of the Son +, and of the Holy Spirit. May he strengthen you to live and serve as his 		faithful people in the world. 
C:	Amen.

Greeting
P:	May the light of Christ which shatters the darkness of sin and death enlighten your days. The grace of our 	Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 
C:	And also with you.

Offertory Prayer
P:	Holy God, you gave your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate gift to the world. Just as he was 		in the cradle of Bethlehem, may Christ be present with us now as you promised long ago. Receive our 		gifts as the first-fruit of what you have first given us - new life, new beginnings, renewed hearts. 
C:	Amen.

Post-Communion Prayer
P:	Father, we thank you for nourishing us at your holy supper. Through the body and blood of Christ we 		have been united with him in his life, death and resurrection. Strengthen us with your grace so that we 		may serve the world in the name of Emmanuel - God with us.
C:	Amen.

Blessing & Dismissal
P:	As you go from here refreshed for the journey of faith, hear God’s blessing: May almighty God, Father, 		Son + and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
C:	Amen.
P:	Go in peace. Share the good news.
C:	Thanks be to God!