However, I often find it helpful to introduce an occasional liturgy of confession into our corporate worship schedule.
The following prayer was incorporated into our worship setting today as a moment of 'reflection' after the reading of Galatians 4:4-7.
Forgive us, O God, if we are glad that Christmas Day is over for another year.
Forgive us for shaping Christmas into a commercially driven spending spree - in contrast to what happened at Bethlehem in such simple and humble surroundings.
Forgive us when we forget that simplicity as we strive for bigger and better.
Forgive us, O God and grasp us anew with the wonder and the joy of the birth of Christ and help us to understand that the most precious gifts of all are not those which are credit card-costly but those which arise from Christ-centred lives.
Forgive us for shaping Christmas into a commercially driven spending spree - in contrast to what happened at Bethlehem in such simple and humble surroundings.
Forgive us when we forget that simplicity as we strive for bigger and better.
Forgive us, O God and grasp us anew with the wonder and the joy of the birth of Christ and help us to understand that the most precious gifts of all are not those which are credit card-costly but those which arise from Christ-centred lives.
(Pause for Personal Silent Reflection)
Lord God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world not to judge us, but to save us. Your Son, our Saviour, is truly the ‘Reason for the Christmas season’.
The great good news is this: In Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
AMEN
The great good news is this: In Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
AMEN
