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.