#MorningPrayer #OOriens Come, Morning Star, heralding the new dawn of your kingdom; shine your guiding light into the darkness of our world and of our ways, that we may be drawn by the hope you set before us, opening our hearts and lives to the refining fire of your love for all.

#MorningPrayer #ORexGentium Come, King of Nations, Creator of the Cosmos, with the peace of your kingdom; still the raging storms of our turbulent world. You form us from the clay; may we be moulded by your will and in your image, that we may shine the light of your love for all.

#MorningPrayer #OEmmanuel Of ourselves, Lord, we cannot attain the heights of holiness, so in your love you emptied yourself to embrace our humanity, that we might be raised to your divinity. Come, Emmanuel, God-with-us, and draw us to your heart, your love, your way, your peace.

#MorningPrayer As we journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, Lord, inspire us to make room in our hearts for you, that you may be born anew in us this Christmas. You were laid in a manger; nourish our souls with your love. Help us work for peace for all, throughout your world.

We invite you to join us today at 4pm for our Crib Service at Christ Church Walmsley 7.30pm: Holy Communion and Buffet at St Andrew’s Church 11.00pm: Midnight Mass at Christ Church Walmsey Christmas Day: 10am: Family Communion at Christ Church Walmsley led by Revd Ian Hepburn

#MorningPrayer Saviour, whose birth we celebrate this day, stir up in us your promise of life, your power of love, and the gift of your peace, now and always. May this Christmas be filled with your glory, Emmanuel, God-with-us; the true light, which the darkness cannot overcome.

#MorningPrayer Inspire us, Lord Jesus, as your disciples and as your church, to seek, to listen for and to follow your guidance and calling upon our life together as your people. May we serve one another, our communities, and the world by shining the light of your love and peace.

#MorningPrayer As we celebrate today, Lord, your apostle John, grant us his dedication to remain with you and faithful to you, as you remain with us and faithful to us. Open our lives to reveal the light of your Spirit, of your love, that all may see your way and be drawn to you.

#MorningPrayer Save us, Lord, from the ways of self-centredness and megalomania which ordered the massacre of the holy innocents in Bethlehem. Wherever self aggrandisement and arrogance arises, in us or in others, help us reject it, and lead us instead to choose your way of love.

#MorningPrayer You call us, Lord, to be your disciples, and you call us to follow where you lead. As we remember this day your servant Thomas Beckett, give us the grace and courage to speak your truth to the powers of this world, to work for the good of all people, and for peace.

#MorningPrayer You raise up your Church, Lord Jesus: your Body, with you as our Head. Keep us always attuned to your presence, your voice, your guidance, your will, your calling upon our lives. Lead us in our ways, our works, and our words, that we may reveal your kingdom to all.

#MorningPrayer Fill us, Lord Jesus, with a love for one another, echoing your love for us. Help us reveal, through who we are, a self-giving, compassionate and caring spirit; building up our neighbours, investing in our communities, deepening our relationships, being your church.

#MorningPrayer Lord Jesus, as we begin a new calendar year may our resolution be to walk more closely with you day by day, to follow your lead in all our ways. May we offer to you a true circumcision of our hearts and spirits, that all we do, say and are may be full of your love.

#MorningPrayer We descend into the waters of baptism, Lord Jesus, that our old nature may die and our new nature be born as a gift of your grace. May we hold fast to you in our journey of faith and life, listening for the voice of your wisdom and following the light of your love.

#MorningPrayer You raise us to your new life, Lord Jesus, and you reveal to us your glory that we may reflect it into the world. Take from us all selfishness, envy, greed, hatred, and our propensity for division and discord; grow in us rather your love for all, for all are yours.

#MorningPrayer Console with your love and presence, Lord Jesus, all who are oppressed or afflicted in the world today. Be with all who cry out for peace, all who work for healing, all who toil to build relationship and reconciliation. May we be led by your star of grace and hope.

#MorningPrayer Inspire us, Lord, to devote ourselves to prayer; not simply to making our own intercession, but to prayer as your church, together in you, rejoicing in our relationship with sisters and brothers around the world. Keep us alert to your leading, attuned to your love.

#MorningPrayer Lord, you led the Magi to worship your Son by the light of a star, that he may be revealed to the nations. Let the light of your love and grace shine in and through us, your disciples and your church, that many may be led to worship, to wonder, to walk in your way.

#MorningPrayer Keep us ready, Lord Jesus, to hear and answer your call upon our lives, whenever it may come, that we may follow faithfully and labour lovingly in the work of your gospel. May our response to your grace help others lift their gaze to your glory, and know your love.

#MorningPrayer Lord Jesus, take from our hearts any preoccupation with our own image, status, position, title, or acclaim. Fill our hearts instead with a longing to know and to follow your will, to engage in your mission of grace and peace, to share your love through all we are.