Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
You came once in gentleness, healing the broken,
lifting the poor, and carrying the cross in weakness.
And you will come again — still the Lamb who was slain.
Forgive us, Lord,
when we look for another,
when we dream of a Messiah clothed in power as the world counts power,
when we are ashamed of your frailty,
when we stumble over your humility.
Open our eyes, Lord,
that we may recognize you now
in the least, the lowly, the overlooked.
Teach us to embrace your kingdom of littleness,
to serve rather than rule,
to show mercy rather than demand vengeance.
Prepare us, Lord,
so that when you come again,
you may find us ready —
not shouting “Lord, Lord” with our lips,
but living your mercy with our lives.
Blessed are we if we are not offended by you.
Blessed are we if we welcome you as you truly are —
the frail Messiah,
the suffering servant,
the Lamb who was slain,
and yet the Lord of all.
Amen.