Call to Worship

People of God, arise, shine, for your light has come!
The light of Christ has come into the world.
Immanuel.
God with us.
So arise, shine, for your light has come!
And we will follow the light–
when it shines brightly in the night sky
when it glows dimly on the horizon.
We will follow the light–
when it leads down familiar paths to expected destinations
when the road is unfamiliar and the star rests above a dubious-looking home.
We will lift up our eyes and look around.
And when we see the Christ child,
may our hearts be overwhelmed with joy.
When we are in the presence of Immanuel,
may our knees bend in worship.
When our journey brings us, finally, to the heart of God,
May our hands open in generous sharing;
May our mouths open in generous praise.

Blessing (from Isaiah 60)

Arise, shine, for your light has come. So lift up your eyes and look around. May you see and be radiant. May your heart thrill and rejoice at the abundance of love poured upon you through God’s gift of Jesus. Amen.

See also this Prayer for the New Year.