Ever living, always acting God, as the days grow shorter and the darkness deepens, we bow before you uncertain how to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. How do we make ready for the Savior of world to come to earth? No matter how hard we pray or how much we study, despite our earnest confessions and our desire to repent, we recognize our unworthiness to be in your presence, let alone have you dwell within our hearts. And yet, you make a way for us. You prepare a place for us. You refuse to abandon us. You relentlessly pursue us with your goodness and mercy. You set the table of grace in the presence of our enemies. You invite us to put down our burdens and come to your banquet. You are mindful of us even when we neglect you and one another. Such mercy is too wonderful for us.
God of abundant life and loving kindness, during this Advent season, we bow down before you, stunned that you come to us, awed by your annunciation to Mary, hoping to say along with her, “Let it be with us according to your will.” Let it be with us according to your will as we await with anticipation both the birth and return of Jesus Christ. Let it be with us according to your will as we serve the least of your children, knowing that when we do we serve our Savior. Let it be with us according to your will as we confront evil and hold fast to that which is good, trusting that the victory won for us in Christ cannot be undone, defeated or thwarted. Let it be with us according to your will as we worship and rest, weep, mourn and praise, rejoice and lament, feeling the unbreakable union we have with Christ and through Christ with each member of his body, the church. Let it be with the world according to your will as we work toward the vision of your kingdom where all are welcomed, loved, clothed and fed, every tear wiped away, all tribes and nations together, gathered around the throne of the lamb, the One for whom we wait. Amen.
