Prayer for the New Year

We said this prayer as a team in our service on Friday, New Year's Eve and I loved it, so I am sharing it.

Emmanuel,
born of stardust
and earth's squalor,
embrace
our foolishness
into your wisdom,
our coldness
into your warmth;
that together
we may heal
all that wounds,
and open the door to friendship.

Home-gatherer
we have found ourselves
welcomed,
cherished and fed;
our stable
lit by stars;
our fears
stroked by angels' wings.
Take us with you
as you beckon others,
drawing the world to your hearth,
and the hungry
to your table.

Christmas child,
curl your fingers round ours in blessing.
Your clasp
secures us;
your trust
challenges us;
and your presences
unites us,
this holy season
and for all time.
Amen

-Elizabeth Baxter