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| Image: George Mendoza |
Good morning, good God!
O Lord - the race to Christmas has begun!
Halls are decked, gifts bought, bows tied,
trees trimmed, lights lit, bells jingled,
and cards sent...
Brass quintets, harking to herald angels,
mute Advent’s hope and joy
long before O Come, Emmanuel
escapes our lips…
(I'll even bet that somewhere in a punch bowl,
some eggnog has begun to spoil!)
If not at the mall and not in the stores,
if not on the streets and not online
then in my heart, Lord,
let there come this month:
a season to pause and wonder,
as a child might, at Mary’s Child;
a season of waiting for you
although you’ve come already
and claimed a place within my heart;
a season to wonder as I wander,
watching for your coming once again,
when all our days are done…
Until then, Lord…
As I do my Christmas shopping,
help me buy what’s needed
- not by friends and family who already have too much-
but for those who have so little, next to nothing,
who are poor, as once were you,
in Bethlehem…
Help me decorate my days with wreaths of kindness:
let my good deeds be as ornaments sparkling
on the branches of my neighbors’ lives…
Let my eyes shine as candles in the windows of my soul,
with light and warmth to welcome all
into my heart and home…
Let my Christmas greetings be of joy:
not just in cards, on FaceBook and in email,
but in the words I speak to those
to whom I’ve peace to offer and to make…
Let my partying be merry, with sobriety;
my spirits balanced with tranquility;
my rejoicing tempered with serenity;
and my prayer distinguished by docility…
Help me prepare to celebrate your birthday, Lord,
your holy advent, your Christmas coming,
one night so long ago…
Help me celebrate your presence now among us:
since you were born
no greater gift’s been given or received…
Help me prepare for when you come again:
the advent of your reign of peace upon the world,
upon our hearts…
That's my prayer this Advent Monday morning:
let it be my prayer all day, this week
and through the month ahead, until with all the world
we sing again the tidings of your holy birth!
Amen.
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