Eighth Day of Christmas
O God,
We praise you because your fullness
was pleased to dwell in Jesus Christ.
We praise you because you dwell as
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your Church.
Help us as your Church to live out your
presence in us in the same ways that
Jesus lived out your presence in him.
Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day of his life.
Thank you for Mary and Joseph’s dedication to their
faith and to their child that led them to undertake
that act that identified him as one of his people.
It was their decision, not his.
Thank you that, many years later, Jesus
submitted to the baptism of John, thereby
identifying himself with all of sinful humanity.
Thank you that, a few years after that, Jesus
submitted himself to death on the cross,
thereby dying for the sins of all humanity.
Lead us to identify with our people, with all
of our sisters and brothers who worship you
and who have followed Jesus in baptism.
Help us to live in light of the grace, love, hope,
faith, peace, and Spirit that bind us together.
Lead us to identify with all people, with all
of humanity that is broken and struggling.
Help us to do what we can to alleviate as
much suffering as we can. Make us willing
to give ourselves up for others’ sake.
Amen.
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