There are lots of things that I love about this time of year and one of those things is Christmas music. It may be an unpopular opinion - I understand that there’s only so many times you can hear ‘I wish it could be Christmas everyday’ during a supermarket shop before going a little crazy - BUT there’s something about it that I quite like!;
Part of that joy for me over the last 15 years of having children and teenagers living in our home has been listening to their renditions of these songs. I can’t hear ‘Rudolph’ without remembering my cute red curly haired boy singing it at the top of his lungs at his nursery Christmas play - a distant memory from the tweenager he is now.
This year I have most enjoyed hearing my 5-year-old wrestling with the lyrics of ‘The 12 days of Christmas’. Like so many of us, the only bit that he knows confidently is ‘FIVE GOLD RINGS’ which he belts out at the appropriate moment!
So, with that as our inspiration, here are ‘5 Home for Good things’ (to be sung to the tune of ‘5 gold rings) to pray with us, this Christmas.
For the miracle of incarnation. God with us. For the difference that His coming has made to our lives and for the example it sets us; that God did not remain remote or distant but instead draws near – let's thank Him.
John 1 v 14 (The Message version) says:
‘The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood.’
Out of our gratitude, let’s pray for a closeness to Jesus this Christmas, especially for families who love and are raising children and young people who have had a difficult start in life.
Thank God for children and young people – their uniqueness, energy, passion and potential.
Thank God that each and every child (and each of you reading this) is described as God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2 v 10) – His work of art. Let’s pray that each child and young person can step in to all that God has made them for, in all its fullness.
Let’s pray for fostering, adoptive and hosting families this Christmas as they navigate the joys and challenges of what the season brings.;
Let’s pray for wisdom for grown-ups as they lead and love the children and young people in their homes and for pockets of great joy and hope this Christmas time.
Let’s pray for churches across the UK as they welcome people this Christmas. Let’s pray that many families would experience the love, welcome and presence of Jesus because of the encouragement and connection they have with Christians in churches and their communities this year.
As we look ahead to 2024, let’s dare to dream that this year would be characterised by more people opening their homes to children and young people who need them.
As we rest, work, play and spend time together this Christmas, let’s allow God to stir our hope and dreams for what’s to come in 2024.
Join us as we pray for more brilliant homes to be found around the UK, especially for those children who wait the longest, as the Church plays her part to meet this need.
And, as you make all kinds of preparations ahead of this Christmas season, may you also create moments to make Him room, that His presence, joy and peace will rest on you and those you love this Christmas.
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