I have the joy of serving as liturgist for a conference at Massanetta Springs this week, and tomorrow in worship, we will hear the Christmas story. Turns out the song of the angels was just what I needed on a steamy July week, and I hope it sings to you as well.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on the earth God loves.
That was the prayer of the angels, O Lord,
and that is our prayer as well.
Glory to you in the highest heaven,
and peace on the earth you love.
We pray for peace indeed, O Lord,
peace that is not the absence of conflict
but the presence of justice and love;
Peace that is not bound by our attempts at compromise
but is stretched across the world in the fabric of your love.
Glory to you in the highest heaven,
and peace on the earth you love.
We give you thanks for that earth, O Lord,
and for all the good things in it:
For the mountains which hint at the beauty of your reign;
For the waters which carry the message of your grace;
For the fruits which teach us the sweetness of your love;
For the animals which show us what it is to be joyful;
We give you thanks, O Lord,
For friends and family united by blood or spirit;
For the church seeking to be your body;
For your spirit, guiding us all along the way.
Glory to you in the highest heaven,
and peace on the earth you love.
Peace, we pray, O Lord, for the earth and all people in it.
Where there is strife, make peace rain with the waters.
Where there is violence, show us how to start again.
Where there racism, convict us, challenge us,
forgive us, and transform us.
Wherever we are broken, love us into wholeness.
Glory to you in the highest heaven,
and peace on the earth you love.
We pray all these things boldly in love,
in the name of the one who was Love for us. Amen.
And also with you. 