My family and I offer up a prayer this year for your intention. As we gather about the Vigil table, and partake in the opłatek, we share with you wishes for peace, health, prosperity, and that our Lord may grant you every blessing and good thing.

We recall all who suffer, because of war, injustice, unemployment, under employment, and poverty. We remember all those who are far from family and friends, from home and those they love, migrant workers, the homeless, and the exploited.

May this Christmas day mark the beginning of our efforts to care for, support, and defend all in need.

We beg the Father for all these things, in the name of His Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.
“If you take away from the midst of you the yoke,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your desire with good things,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters fail not.” — Isaiah 58:6-11.