Lord, We pray for our country Lord.Please open people’s hearts to your word, and help them to understand everything happening in this country Lord. Amen

God our Father, walk through my house.

Take away all my worries and illnesses.

Please watch over and heal my family

in Jesus name,

Amen. 

20+C+M+B+12

God of Bethlehem and Cana,

God of Jordan’s leaping waters,

in baptism you bring us

into your family.

You wed us and embrace us

as your beloved.

May we fill this place

with kindness to one another,

with hospitality to guests,

and with abundant care

for every stranger.

By the gentle light of a star,

you guide home all who seek you

on paths of faith, hope, and love.

Then we will join the angels in

proclaiming your praise.

Glory in heaven and peace on earth,

now and forever.  Amen

The gospel tells us that the magi found Christ “on entering the house.” The door to your home is a holy threshold. You can bless those who come in and go out by inscribing above the door in chalk the first two numbers of the year (20) + C + M + B + (12) the last two numbers of the year. Tradition tells us that the letters stand for the names of the magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Adolph Adam points out that it may also mean “Christus mansionem benedicat” or “May Christ bless this dwelling.” It is appropriate to bless your door in January—janua means “door” and the first month is the door to the new year.

From Father Greg of the Saint Anthony Community

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‘Lord,

I love you and I need you,

come into my heart, and bless me,

my family, my home, and my friends,

in Jesus’ name.

Amen.’             

Bishop T.D. Jakes

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We prepare your way, Lord Jesus Christ!

Let us hold you in our hearts,

as did Mary, your mother.

Come, Emmanuel!

We prepare your way, Lord Jesus Christ!

Let us care for your children in the world

as Saint Joseph cared for you.

Come Emmanuel!

We prepare your way, Lord Jesus Christ!

Let us sing joyfully of your glory

as did your angels in Bethlehem.

Come, Emmanuel!

We prepare your way, Lord Jesus Christ!

May we kneel to adore you

as did the lowly shepherds.

Come, Emmanuel!

We prepare your way, Lord Jesus Christ!

You are the Morningstar,

who guided the magi, guiding us still.

Come, Emmanuel!

We prepare your way, O Christ child,

God’s Word in our human flesh,

through the power of the Holy Spirit

God among us, forever and ever.  Amen

On this Advent night,

hear my prayer, O God.

Forgive me for my failings and

strengthen me to serve you

in the days to come.  Amen

I lift my soul to you,

Prince of Peace,

on this day, your gift to me.

I lift my soul to you,

Light From Light.

Guide my every word and deed.

I lift my soul to you,

God among us.

Bless me today and every day

forever and ever.  Amen

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With the dawning day,

I rise to praise you, O Lord.

As I watch and wait  for the coming

of your Son, our Savior,

help me to be a faithful servant

in these Advent days.  Amen

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I cannot tell why there should come to me

A thought of some one miles and years away,

In swift insistence on the memory,

Unless there be a need that I should pray.

Old Friends are far away: we seldom meet

To talk of Christ or changes day by day,

Of pain or pleasure, triumph or defeat,

Or special reasons why ’tis time to pray.

We are too busy even to spend thought

For days together of some friends away;

Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought

To read His signal as a call to pray.

Perhaps my friend just then has fiercer fight,

A more appalling weakness or decay,

Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right

And so, in case you need my prayer I pray.

Friend, do the same for me. If I intrude

Unmasked upon you on some crowded day,

Give me a moment’s prayer as interlude;

Be sure I need it, therefore pray.

—–Marianne Farmington

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild

Look upon a little child!

Make me gentle as thou art,

Take my childish hand in Thine,

Guide these little feet of mine.

So shall all my happy days

Sing their pleasant song of praise,

And the world shall always see

Christ, the Holy Child, in me.