Praying To Find and Express Joy During this 2020 Christmas Season

This is the Third week of Advent and really it’s like the time of the countdown isn’t it.  This is the 14^th of December and so we don’t even have the 12 days before Christmas left. 

It’s high time we took time to really welcome this precious celebration of the coming of the Lord Jesus to capture our hearts and fill us with wonder – don’t you think?

Let’s respond to the invitation in this prayer:

Come Lord Jesus

King of justice, light of truth, friend of all – both old and youth.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, Lord Jesus

Prince of Peace, make our love for all increase.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, Lord Jesus

Emmanuel. When you are with us, all is well.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, Lord Jesus

God the Son. Warm the hearts of everyone.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, Lord Jesus

Saviour, Lord. May your joy be our reward.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Heavenly Father, as once again we prepare for Christmas, help us to find time in our upside down lives in 2020 for quiet and thought and prayer, that we may reflect upon the wonder of your love and allow the story of the Saviour’s birth to penetrate our hearts and minds. Help our joy to be deeper, our worship more heartfelt, and our lives more in tune with Your will and all that You long to do in our lives that sent Jesus to earth to come and be our Saviour, Emmanuel, God with us.  Amen

Yesterday in my mother’s church in Orillia they had some kids come and play the drums (well, they were buckets actually but it was lovely).  During this socially distant time of the pandemic they are not able to sing in churches in Ontario but it was lovely to see the kids playing.  The theme of the song “The Little Drummer Boy” seems really appropriate to me for all of us in 2020.  What can we do this Christmas to honour Jesus?  Well, as the song tells us, the little drummer boy didn’t know what he could do but he asked if he could play his drum.  He played his drum, played his best and then the line of the song that touches my heart the most, “Then He smiled at me … me and my drum.”  Whatever we can do, we should do.  However, we can  celebrate and share we should celebrate and share and honestly, in God’s eyes it will not be less than previous years.  In fact, in many ways it will probably be more Christ centered and less the self-centered busy party-gift sharing, holiday events agenda of many years.  Maybe, just maybe, the joy of this Christmas can be more than other years. Maybe this is the year when our simple offerings of worship and kindness and generosity will most touch the heart of God and fill us with joy.  Maybe this will be our best Christmas yet.  I think it can – if we will let it. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Psalm 51:11

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; Psalm 98:4

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.  Isaiah 35:10

We pray for joy in our hearts, hope in our God, love to forgive, and peace upon the earth. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray your blessings on all people. May there be bread for the hungry, love for the unlovable, healing for the sick, protection for our children, and wisdom for our youth. We pray for the forgiveness of sinners and abundant life in Christ. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love and power. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

–Rev. Lia Icaza Willetts

Let’s find some way to celebrate the Lord Jesus today with joy.