An opening prayer

Almighty God,We have all travelled to be at this service.Some may have come from a distanceIn order to spend Christmas with family or

friends.Others may be here from the local

community;Still others have come because this is their

regular place of worship.

An opening prayer

This evening we will hear of many journeys;Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem;The shepherds running to see the baby;the wise men coming from afar with gifts;The holy family fleeing to Egypt.

An opening prayer

As we hear again about these journeys,Give us a deeper understandingOf what it must have meant To play a part in this story.

An opening prayer

But let us not lose sight of the greatest journey of all;

That of Jesus, who though He could claim the highest place by right,

Laid His glory aside, and came to be one of us,

Born in a stable to an ordinary couple.

An opening prayer

Even as we rejoice in the birth of this child,May we bow down in worship before Him;For He is the one who lived, died and was

raised,So that just as He shared in our poverty,So we may share in His glory.Amen

An opening prayer