Holy God:
We have journeyed with you to Bethlehem. We are tired from the journey. We have longed to see the Christ child. With searching hearts we follow the star, we peer into the manger.
The preparations for the season have distracted our hearts from our purpose. There are still many things yet to be done. You have spoken to our hearts and we have made preparations for your coming to our lives, as well. Many of the paths upon which you have led us have not been easy paths. Repentance, expectation, and longing have taken their toll.
And now we near the end of the Advent journey. We wonder if your visitation is a fairy tale. We hear the words that you are coming again, that you are visiting us with your son and your salvation, we hear these words like Christmas songs we will soon pack up until next year.
As we look for your visitation, may we be surprised. Surprised to find that you have been with us all along. You have never abandoned your people. You have been hard to find. But you have been best seen by those who allowed you to reveal yourself.
You are with us in our sicknesses and you are with us in our strength. You are with us in our failures and you are with us in our triumphs. You are with us in our families, in our grieving, in our fears. You are with us in our decisions. You are with us in our addictions. You are with us in our confusion, in wisdom and folly. You are with us in every attempt at a new start, every faltering act of love, every trembling beginning of reconciliation, every gift, every sleepless night, every dream deferred.
You have been with us all along. Help us to see you, to recognize you.
Help us to find salvation in you. In every way that we can be saved, save us. Amen.
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