Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 35

A Collect to Make Secrets Known

Lord Jesus, who knows what is in all of our hearts, bring to light those buried and secret thoughts of the ones who wield and seek power, that the people might know the truth and choose for themselves what is good, through you who was born to overturn systems of oppression and bring to earth your Father's heavenly kingdom through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."' - Luke 2:34-35

A Collect for God's Revelation to Us

Master of all things, who spoke, and all that is rose into being, reveal yourself and your wisdom to us who have been grafted into your chosen people, that we might know you more fully and so rejoice and join in what you are about in the world, through Jesus Christ our savoir, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." - Luke 2:29-32

A Collect for Rescue and Salvation

Great and mighty Lord, who wields power to save, grant that we might see your salvation, the rescue of those you love, that we would not linger in suffering forever and would praise you for your goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, the author of salvation who rules with you and the Holy Spirit in glory forever and ever. Amen.

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation." - Luke 2:29-30

A Collect to Hear the Spirit's Promptings

Holy Spirit of Truth, wonderful counselor and blessed gift of the Father, give us ears to hear your guidance, that, recognizing your promptings, we would obey what you ask of us and so be led into wondrous things, through Jesus Christ our redeemer, who listened to whatever the Father said through your presence and power. Amen.

'Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple.' - Luke 2:27

A Collect to be Righteous and Devout

Spirit of God, our wisdom and power to live according to what is good, rest on us and grant to us a desire for your will and your ways, that we might earn a reputation for being righteous and devout and would point others always towards you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Father, one God in perfect unity. Amen.

'Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.' - Luke 2:25

A Collect for Light in the Darkness of the World

Almighty God, source of all good things, shine light into the darkness of our world, that we would find hope in our trouble, love amidst the hate, and goodness within the corruption and vice of our days so that we would yet hold on until you appear, through Jesus Christ our Lord who is our light and life and who shall bring justice according to the Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined." - Isa. 9:2

A Collect to Listen to the Outcast

God Almighty, who has spoken your message to the outcast and the questionable of the world, grant us humility that we might listen to their words and so bring together all of your children and be edified by one another, receiving joyous news for everyone, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who humbled himself for our sake and was exalted to your right hand in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people."' - Luke 2:8-10

A Collect to Notice the Small and Supposedly Insignificant

Loving Messiah, who was born in obscurity, your cradle a feeding trough for livestock, open our eyes to see greatness in small things, that we could behold the wonderful amidst the insignificant, your goodness among the things the world casts off, and we would thus recognize your nature as a God who tends first to those in greatest need, through you who reigns in compassion with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.' - Luke 2:6-7

A Collect for Christmas

Lord Jesus Christ, who came to us in the form of an innocent and helpless child, we praise you for your humility and goodness to us. May we take on vulnerability as you did, that in your way of peace, we might further your work of bringing joy to all people, through you who reigns in glory forever and ever with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger.' - Luke 2:6-7

A Collect for Zeal for Justice

Lord God Almighty, from whose nature is virtue and goodness, incline our hearts toward justice, that we would share your zeal for righting the wrongs of the world and upending the corrupt systems that oppress the needy and broken so that your goodness would fill the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

'For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.' - Isa. 61:8