O Lord, our King, and our Saviour!
Let us celebrate this festival without false ideas,
but with our hearts open to receive
your Word,
your promise,
your commandment.
Our grumbles and doubts,
our errors and mistakes,
our stubbornness and defiance,
should trouble us even during these days of joy,
because they trouble you.
But as we rejoice at your birth in the world,
we ask you to accept us and uplift us as we are.
And we pray that, in your strength,
we shall be willing to be counted
amongst the poor and the humble,
as you counted yourself.
Karl Barth, 1886 – 1968, Swiss Reformed theologian
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And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
prayer & verse 