Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 66

An Epiphany Collect

Lord Jesus, whom wise men sought out in ages past, may we likewise seek you with fervency, desiring to see you in both your glory and your humanity that when we find you, we would be so overwhelmed with joy that we would think nothing of laying at your feet our greatest gifts, through you who now reigns with everlasting love and power with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.' - Matthew 2:9-11

A Collect to be Free from Fear of Death

Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the keys to death and Hades, you have freed us from the power of death through your sacrifice on the cross. Help us to let go of our fears of death that we might serve you and your children in freedom, through you who with the Father and Holy Spirit loved us to the end. Amen.

'Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.' - Hebrews 2:14-15

A Collect of Thanks for Jesus' Solidarity with Us

Lord Jesus Christ, beloved firstborn son of the Father, we are grateful and humbled by your willingness to take on our nature and share in our flesh and blood. Help us to hold fast to your solidarity with us and the love you hold out, that our hearts would be confident and secure in you with us, through you who is alive and crowned ruler of all with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things.' - Hebrews 2:14

A Collect of Thanks for God's Adoption of Us

Gracious Father, who has taken us into your family as your own, we thank you for your goodness to us in adopting us and cleansing us. Help us to live up to the name you have given us, that we would bring honor to you and so prove to the world your goodness, through Jesus Christ our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit enjoy perfect harmony, world without end. Amen.

'For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.' - Hebrews 2:11

A Collect to Remember Jesus in our Suffering

Lord Jesus, who endured suffering and difficulty for our sake, teach us when we struggle and suffer and endure difficulty along our way to turn to you and remember your work of pain, that we might know solidarity with you and recall your great love for us and so discover such great good even in the struggle, through you who now reigns in heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit, king of glory forever. Amen.

'It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.' - Hebrews 2:10

A Collect for the New Year

God who was and is and is to come, give us wisdom as we look back and hope as we look forward that in such times of transition we might discover where you are working and so join you in the marvelous things you are about, through Jesus Christ our Lord who with you and the Holy Spirit loved us from before time began and will bring us into your eternal glory forever. Amen.

A Christmas Collect of Thanks for God's Giving of Himself

Bestower of great gifts, who is the source of all good things and the one who knows our greatest needs, you gave us yourself and made us recipients of all the benefits of your rulership and authority. May we accept your reign with gladness and willing trust, becoming subjects of a kingdom that begets wisdom and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

'For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' - Isaiah 9:6

A Collect of Rescue from Oppression

Shield of the weak, who cares for those who cannot save themselves, rescue us from those who oppress, from those who bind and whip and enslave us for their own pleasures, that we would sing your praises and be free to bless as you have blessed us, grateful for you power wielded on our behalf, through Jesus Christ our Lord, whose kingdom shall stand forever by you with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.' - Isaiah 9:4

A Collect for God's Light to Shine on Us

God of glory, source of all brightness, shine your light on us, we who live in a land of darkness, that truth might be revealed and our way made clear and that our eyes would be opened to the goodness that you perform among us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. 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.' - Isaiah 9:2

A Collect to Treasure What God Gives

Eternal God, who was and is and is to come, Teach us to hold on to those moments you have given us, that we might be enlivened and comforted by them and would grow to understand them more and more and we grow in our faith and love for you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who came in vulnerability, trusting in you through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.' - Luke 2:19