Image: George Mendoza
Good morning, good God!
O Lord,
the calendar this year
positioned Thanksgiving and Christmas
with an extra early start
for the hurried, harried race to December 25...
So more than a week before Advent began:
halls were decked, gifts bought, bows tied,If not at the mall, then, and if not in the stores,
trees decorated, bells jingled,
cards sent and lights lit…
brass quintets, harking to herald angels,
muted Advent’s hope and spirit
days before O, Come Emmanuel was on our lips…
and somewhere, in a punch bowl,
some eggnog has already begun to spoil...
if not on the streets and if not online -
then in my heart, Lord,
let there come this month:
a season when I pause and wonder,So in my heart, Lord, help me keep an Advent vigil,
as a child might,
in awe of Mary’s Child, born to save so many years ago;
a season when I wait for you
though you’ve already come and claimed a place,
a home within my heart;
a season when in faith I wander,
watching for your coming once again one day
when my days and the days of all are done...
seeking you who came two thousand years ago,
yet stay, still, close by my side,
you who’ll come again when all our waiting’s done…
Until then, Lord…
As I do my Christmas shopping,
help me buy what’s needed
not for 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 a stable, in Bethlehem…
Help me decorate my days with garlands 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 to my home…
Let my Christmas greetings be of joy:
not just in cards, on Face Book 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 us,
no greater gift received…
Help me prepare for when you come again:
the advent of your reign of peace upon the world,
upon our hearts…
This the prayer I offer, Lord, this Advent Monday morning:
let it be my prayer all day, all week
and through the month ahead,
until with all the world we sing again with joy
the tidings of your holy birth!
Amen.
Tweet
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please THINK before you write
and PRAY before you think!