Praying with Creation:
the Season of Advent & Christmas
First Sunday of Advent
through the First Sunday of Christmas
Year C
by Dennis Ormseth
First Sunday of Advent
Jer
33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thes 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
God of Advent, as we
enter the season of rest for our land, we await the coming of the righteous
Branch of David, who promises to bring justice to our land and to all
creatures. May our footprints upon the earth be small and light, a worthy
legacy for future generations.
Second Sunday of Advent
Malachi
3:1-4 or Baruch 5:1-9; Luke 1:68-79; Phil 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
God of the wilderness,
all the wild areas of the earth cry out for restoration and preservation. May
we be mindful of the creatures of the deserts, the oceans and the forests, that
the habitat you have given them will survive and prosper, so that they may live
in abundance and in peace with all of their neighbors.
Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah
3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
God of light, the
daylight shortens as the winter solstice approaches. We await the coming of the
Savoir whose light will never darken. Grant us during this Advent and winter
nourishing rains and peaceful snowfalls to replenish the earth’s aquifers,
lakes and rivers. Restore the land so it will produce bountiful harvests for
all your creatures. Then rushing rivers, glaciers and waterfalls will join in
praising your name at the coming of spring.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah
5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7; Heb 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
Saving God, our time of
waiting is nearly over. Fill our hearts and minds with love for your earth,
that we may work diligently to reverse global warming, for the salvation of all
your creatures. Save us from the desecration of our air, land and water. May
the whole universe continuously praise your saving grace forever.
Nativity of Our Lord
Isaiah
9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
Lord of the cosmos, you
set the star of Bethlehem in the sky to guide us to the infant savior, Jesus
Christ. Now please guide the nations to care for the heavens through peaceable
communication and cooperative exploration. May we rid your universe of space
debris, spy satellites and military weapons.
Christmas Day
Isaiah
52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
Generous God, you have
bestowed onus grace upon grace through our Savior Jesus Christ. We have been
created to live in mutual interdependence with all creatures on your beloved
earth. Show us how to live sustainably so that all being are able to live with
sufficiency.
First Sunday of Christmas
1
Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Col 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
God of all ages, you
have brought us to the beginning a new year, and have promised to make all
things new. May we in hope rejoice in all the seasons of creation in years to
come.