17-Dec-23 (John 1:6-8)

John the Baptizer knew he was not Elijah.  Yet he took up the role that Jewish tradition said Elijah would take:  He announced and prepared the people for the coming of the Lord.  We aren't Elijah either, nor John, but we too can take up the mantle and prepare the way and announce the Lord's coming.  One way we do that is here and now at the Table.  We remember Jesus; his life, his death, and all that he means to us and when we've remembered, we take that news out to the world waiting to hear it.
Let us pray.

Prayer:

God, who loves us so much, that you gave us the gift of your Son, we thank you for Jesus.  We thank you that his life set the example for us.  We thank you that his death opened the way to peace with you and with each other.  We thank you for these symbols before us, the bread and cup, that remind us of all of that.  Now we pray that you would fill us with your Spirit, that we might carry the Good News of your love into our lives and into your world.
In the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN