A Confession for Advent

Great God of Presence and Promised Coming,
We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to fulfill your desire for us to love one another.
We have not followed the paths you have given us,
Choosing instead to follow our own.
We have broken relationships,
We chase consumer desires,
We treat those who wait on us as less than human.
We have rebelled against your love;
We spend our time and money,
on gifts for those who give us gifts.
We have not loved our neighbors, we spend time
With family and friends out of obligation rather than sincere love.
We have not heard the cry of the needy,
The mouth of the poor is still hungry for mercy,
The cause of the oppressed is still thirsty for justice.
Free us for joyful obedience, through the Advent of Christ,
Our Lord, Our Messiah, Our Hope. Amen.

All pray in silence.

Good News! Good News! Good News!
God so loved the world that he gave
Sinful and broken humanity a gift: Emmanuel, God with us.
This proves God's love toward us!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Glory to God! Amen.

About the Author: The Rev. Nathan Decker is the pastor of the South Sussex Charge of the James River District of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. His great love is the diversity and inspiration of God's creative nature in worship

"A Confession for Advent, Year B" Copyright 2008, 2011 Nathan Decker. All Rights Reserved. Posted with Permission on the Discipleship Ministries Worship website.