Advent Day 24: Welcome

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Matthew 25:35;
Luke 8:40;
Romans 15:7;
Hebrews13:2;



Prayer is a moment of incarnation God with us. God involved in the details of our lives.”
― Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life 
We have been waiting to celebrate the coming of Christ and that day is almost—almost—here. It’s time to put the finishing touches on our hospitality (which is especially important considering Jesus’ previous experience):
· “He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.” John 1:11
· “...there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

So let’s change the story this time.  Let’s get ready to roll out the welcome mat in prayer:

Welcome Christ

IS Christ welcome? IS there room for God in your life? Where? When?

Be specific. Think about where you typically go.
Where you spend your time.
Welcome Christ into those spaces…
(here’s an example to get you started) 
Jesus, you are welcome here.
I invite you…
Into my heart. Into my life. Into my netflix account. Into my addiction to pringles. Into my home. Into my car and my driving. Into my marriage and my friendships. I invite you into my work space.
I invite you. Lord, Come. Come and dwell.
Come open my eyes to the ways in which you're already there...because I want you here. Amen.

Welcome Others

Christmas eve is the perfect time to welcome guests to worship.
Is there anyone who could sit with you? Anyone you could invite? What about guests invited by others or those who simply come—how can we welcome them?

Lord, you said that whatever we do to others, we do to you, so fill us—fill our church—with a spirit of warm welcome.
Prepare us to pay attention beyond our own families. Prepare us to give up seats and to sit close to strangers. Send us to worship tomorrow night not only seeking you, but also serving.
In Your name, may we welcome all.
All who come regularly. All who come rarely.
All who believe and all who doubt. All who live in holiness and all who live in sin. In your name, we especially welcome all who otherwise might not feel welcome in the church, because worship is yours and not ours. Amen.




Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
 
...So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God,
Welcome to our world

Tomorrow’s word: Glory →

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