Praying with Creation: the
Seasons of Advent & Christmas
First Sunday of Advent through the First Sunday of Christmas
Year B
by Dennis Ormseth (The prayers are related to the texts noted)
Second Sunday of Advent:
Isaiah
40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8
Spirit of wildness, in you is the salvation of all creation. You
restore to life the withered grass and faded flower. In the winter of our faith
we look to you to revive our love for your earth.
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah
61:1-4, 8-11
God of Earth, from seed to sheave you empower new life and growth.
Help us to wait watchfully for signs of new life springing up in the garden of
your creation. Ready us to serve and preserve your wondrous works of love.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel
7:1-11, Luke 1:26-38
God of new beginnings, you are beyond being housed in all your
magnificent cosmos. And yet you deign to enter into the smallest, darkest
spaces, like a mother’s womb. Give us the eyes of Mary and Elizabeth, so that
we, too, might behold your glorious presence, hidden within every aspect of
your creation.
First Sunday of Christmas:
Psalm
148, Luke 2:25-40.
Jesus, hope of all creation, sun and moon, shining stars sing
songs of joy at your coming. Sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snowy
frost and stormy winds bow down to greet you. Form in us grateful hearts, so
that with Simeon, we might attend faithfully to the working out of your
promises for all times and places.