Songs of Love and a Lasting Good Legacy

ALMIGHTY! grant that we may sing nobler songs than did Thy servants of old, that we may sing not of Thy wrath, but of days brightened, by Thy love. The sting of death is sin; from that sting, Good Lord! deliver us, and help us to believe that death is not the anger of God, but a quiet sunset before a glorious sunrising.

Almighty! be near us when we confess that we have erred and strayed; be near us when we cry for the service of the good Shepherd, and bring us all safe into the fold. Be near us when we confess that the greatest of our sins is the sin against the light; we see the way, and walk not in it. Remember that we are but dust. Help us that we, whose nativity brings us so near to the earth, may have the better birth into newness of life.

We thank Thee for every vision of Thy brightness, and we pray Thee to make us watchful lest our eyes become dim to the beauty of God. Of Thy mercy give to us according to our need, according to our best desires. What would not serve us truly, keep from us; withhold not the bitter herb of Thy garden. What is good for us Thou knowest; do Thou choose for us. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and when we have gone our way, and joined the blessed company of those who have passed across this weary world, from God to God, let the works of our hands live after us. Lead us through the weary desert, bring us to the palm tree and the quiet shadow. Guide us with Thy right hand all the long journey through, and afterwards receive us into Thine everlasting Rest.—AMEN.