Our light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us! Therefore in awe and in thanksgiving let us be of one mind and one heart in prayer. When you hear the words "Sunburst of Heaven light our way", please respond with "Hear our prayers".

Shining-Splendor: In the time of the Christ-Child, you made bright the path for the magi. Your light never left them so that they arrived at the right place in the right time. We wonder what stories they told on their return. How many others were drawn to your light because of them? And we also wonder: Were they ridiculed by some? Did they wonder what they had gotten themselves into? Did they grow weary? Were they ever afraid? Did they argue among themselves? How could they not O God! Surely they were just has human as we are! In assuming this to be true we can with confidence ask you to light our every way in these coming months. And when we wonder what we've gotten ourselves into, when we are tired, or ridiculed or when we doubt, when we are afraid and when we disagree, we ask that you be in your infinite mercy patient with us and we ask that in your unwavering love you shine your light even brighter so that we may see our way clear to take another Christ-like step. As it was with the magi, so also lead us into overwhelming joy. Sunburst of Heaven, light our way...    "Hear our prayers".

Glorious Brightness: When we lift up our eyes and we see ourselves in your light we are moved to confession. We acknowledge that those who are like King Herod — those who do not choose good will and peace and justice — can be intimidating and can cause us to waver in our commitment to the way of Christ. May their fears not become our fears. May their ways not become our ways. Speak to us as we have need of your relentless love for us and for all people. For the times we choose — no matter what — to go our own way, forgive us. For the times we do not wait for your light to show us your way, forgive us. For the times we do not allow your light to shine through us, forgive us. In your compassionate forgiveness may we be transformed and may your light shine through us even brighter than before., and give us cause to smile and continue onward as we catch yet another glimpse of your glory. Sunburst of Heaven, light our way...    "Hear our prayers".

Trustworthy Light: Hear our immense gratitude for the many lighted paths we have walked as Nelson United Church. Your Light has shined into every darkness and has made us who we have become. We give you thanks that your light will continue to shine upon us. Hear our thanksgiving for those in the past who encouraged us and for those who presently push and prod us to become even more Christ-like. Hear our thanksgiving for your Christ, for your Living Word and for Mary and Joseph. We thank you for Matthew's story of the magi whose journey is not so unlike our own. Sunburst of Heaven, light our way...    "Hear our prayers".

Hear also our prayers for those who are afraid of your light and in seeing themselves in this light turn away from your forgiveness and transformation. We also pray for those who are awaiting your light to lead them out of their darkness — whatever that darkness may be. Sunburst of Heaven, light our way...    "Hear our prayers".

Holy Light Shining this Very Day: We pray for those beyond these walls. In our Kootenay Presbytery Prayer Cycle we ask for your continued blessing on Judy Foster of Kootenay Presbytery and, as well, in the World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Iraq. Holy Light shine brightly on our brothers and sisters at Nyanyadzi Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Peacemakers and peacekeepers serving throughout the world and those named on our Prayer List. Sunburst of Heaven, light our way...    "Hear our prayers".

And the people say...    "AMEN".