We come uneasy, God, this festive season, afraid that all may be just as before; so hallow, help us use, each restive reason that makes us want to see through tale and lore. We come uneasy, longing to be able to look beyond the symbols and the signs, to find behind our carols and the bible the living Word, as read between the lines. We come uneasy, asking for your leading to take our distance from the manger-scene and go into our mainstreets for our reading of all that can in people's eyes be seen. We come, uneasy at the thought of knowing the child who suffered, all who die too soon: you, earthy-Christ, in human likeness growing from cradle of the night to cross at noon. We welcome you , uneasy at your coming, but reassured that you have come to stay to bind together your and our becoming a sign of hope, a light to save the day. Then free us from traditions that diminish the glory of your Christmas to a farce; make good our will, from yearly start to finish to 'see this thing that (daily!) comes to pass'.