NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 12/13

I grew up in Danvers, Massachusetts.  Here's a photo of 

of Danvers square at Christmas time in the 1950's...

    (click on the image for a larger version)

 

    Danvers Square in the 1950's

Around this time of year, Lord, some 65 years ago, 

my sister and I, on a cold December night, 

would walk 'round Danvers Square and, 

with the fortune of a few dollars in our pockets,

do all our Christmas shopping 

for our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles... 

These gifts I remember: 

hairnets and pipe cleaners, 

costume jewelry and fancy hankies,

bobby pins and a box of Salada tea bags: 

    treasures we bought and wrapped up nice 

    in white, sparkled tissue paper

    with curling ribbon and To and From tags...

 

Small, simple gifts from innocent hearts,

delighted to give, to share with the ones 

whose love was our world...  

 

Small, simple gifts, Lord, wrapped with joy, 

tucked 'neath the tree, 'til Christmas eve

and the time to give and receive...

 

Help me find again, Lord, a child's pure joy: 

the joy of giving simple gifts 

to those whose love is now my world 

- and to those in the world who live in need  

of the gift of my love and 

a share of the many dollars I'll spend 

on those who already have more than they need...

My parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles 

- and so many more, both family and friends - 

have now gone home 

to open the gift every heart desires:

    your healing love and your lasting peace

    with joy, in your arms, forever...

 

Open wide my heart, as they did, Lord,

to your word, your love and your gospel:

    help me freely give, as a child does,

    simple gifts from a pure, simple heart...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen.

 

Tonight's song is Christmas Memories by Alabama:

    not a hymn in the classic sense

    unless you believe (as I do) 

    that everything sung from the heart

    is heard as a hymn by God... 

Christmas Memories by Alabama

     performed by Kenneth Midtbo

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

Advent Blessing  

    composed by Michael Joncas and Alan Hommerding

 

 

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