That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.
Prayers of the People
Standing at the threshold of the longest night as we await the light of Christmas, we offer the prayers of our hearts, praying for ourselves, community, church and world to Emmanuel, God with us.
Stand near in the darkness, gracious God. We are broken by our loss and afraid of our future, overwhelmed by all we cannot understand.
Stand near in the darkness, gracious God; comfort us in our pain.
We are heavy with sadness and grief, sick with despair, aching with emptiness;
Stand near in the darkness, gracious God; comfort us in our pain.
We are confused and enraged at the injustices in our communities and world. We are frightened to find ourselves doubting your love.
Stand near in the darkness, gracious God; comfort us in our pain.
Our bodies cannot rise or rest, our hearts are like stones.
Stand near in the darkness, gracious God; comfort us in our pain.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love. Only you can heal us. Send your life-giving Spirit to renew our broken hearts.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Increase in us patience toward ourselves and one another.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Give us grace to let go of lost dreams, entrusting ourselves to your purpose and will.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Use our sorrows to enlarge our compassion toward others and ourselves.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Release us from fear, renew us in love, and rekindle our hope.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Fill us with gratitude for the good things we enjoy, help us to notice our blessings.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Help us remember, always, those who suffer in illness, war, poverty, or despair, and turn our hearts towards their relief.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Renew us this night, that we might live as your children in the strength of your love.
O come, O Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by your drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Holy and Gracious God, as a father has compassion on his children, so do you have mercy on us. As a mother carries and feeds her children, so do you carry us in our afflictions, and feed us with healing and joy. We thank you for strengthening and renewing us in your love. We pray for grace to help you push back the darkness in our world, to help unfold your light, and to live with courage, kindness, and hope. Amen.
The Lighting of Candles & a Litany of Remembrance
We light these candles to remember those who are captive to darkness. For those lost in the night of addiction, depression, anxiety, or unexpected grief, we pray to God, who guided the Israelites through the darkness with a pillar of fire:
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night.
We light these candles to remember those who have died, those who mourn the dead, and for loss that feels like a death. The shadow of death can seem impenetrably dark during these long nights. We pray to God, whose first act in creation was to call light from darkness;
Death's dark shadow put to flight.
We light these candles to remember those who are alone. We remember those who are isolated from loved ones; far from home; wandering down the wrong path; or convinced that God is unconcerned with their suffering. We pray to God, who is like the woman who lit a lantern to search all night for one lost coin;
Refresh the hearts that long for you.
We light these candles to remember those who are battling illness. We lift up those who suffer the pain, indignity, and bewilderment that accompany a broken body. For all who desire to be returned to wholeness, we pray to God, who lit the night sky with a star to guide three magi to the healing Christ;
Restore the broken: make us new.
We light these candles to remember those who feel that hardship will overwhelm them. For the poor, the persecuted, the hungry, and the homeless, we pray to God, who walked with three men through the consuming flames of a fiery furnace;
In strength and beauty come and stay.
— Please come forward and light a candle as you are lead —
Go in peace knowing you are seen and loved by God.