Still your hearts and minds for a moment and read these few simple words. 

Father God we thank you for all that you have given us. As we prepare for Christmas help us to know your hope and to bring hope to those around us. Amen

O God of all hope and peace, we bring to you the needs of our broken and hurting world.
Our hearts are breaking with images of lives lost and torn apart by grief in Ukraine, in Israel and Palestine. 

The news is filled with events in troubled areas around the world. So we pray for an end to warfare, violence and destruction so that the challenging work of rebuilding may begin. Help us, O Lord, to affirm our common humanity so that in our differences we may build together for justice and peace.
In Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.