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.