To live with honour

Romans 13:11–14 

confession 

we confess we do not always live honourably  –

we are unkind, we are selfish,

we are greedy, we are jealous,

we make arguments not peace

Holy One, forgive us 

Holy One, forgive us 

we confess we do not alway pay attention – 

we forget to pray,

we make no time for your Story,

we do not listen to the poor, the vulnerable,

we do not stop to feel the sun or the breeze,

to smell the fresh-mown grass, or linger

on the tastes of our food 

Holy One, forgive us

Holy One, forgive us 

we confess that we rush a lot,

we buy a lot,

we do a lot – 

so here, now, we pause,

these weeks of Advent we wait,

let the story unfold slowly,

so that we can pay attention,

and remember the life of honour

you showed us how to live. 

Holy One, forgive us

Holy One, forgive us 

grace 

wake now from your sleep

and pay attention – 

Jesus will be born again

within us and among us 

and between us, because Holy One

does forgive, and came to Earth

so we might, truly, fully, live.

Be at peace. 

Amen.