Isaiah 9:2
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned”.

Gracious God of wonder and mystery we wait in anticipation and expectation to celebrate the coming of Your Son, Jesus, into our world, Emmanuel, God with us. On the eve of this Holy Night, may we draw closer to the child who was born not into wealth and power, but into poverty and weakness. May we draw closer to the child who grew to be a man, who taught us to love one another, who taught us that all are valued in Your sight. Lord God, we thank you for the night in which love shone down. In the name of the child in the manger we pray, Amen.