A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 12/11

Today's prayer is from one of my favorite books: A Child In Winter by Caryll Houselander. This passage may help any of us who are feeling burdened or overwhelmed by the approach of Christmas. Actually, I believe these words can help all of us - I know they bring me peace...

Whoever you are,

however you are,

whatever you're doing:

Christ never goes away, never forgets you,

all day long.

His whole heart is concentrated on you.

He watches you with the eye of a mother

watching an only child.

He sees not the surface things,
   not the imperfections inevitable to human frailty,
but rather, he sees what's truly lovable in you,
   your dependence on him,
   your need of him.

Does a mother love her child less
   because it has fallen and bruised itself?
No, indeed.
She only (if that is possible)
   loves her child more!

What then must we do?

    Listen...

    Be silent...

    Let Christ speak to you...

Forget yourself,

do not be self-centered.

Let him tell you how he loves you,
   let him show you what he's like,
   let him prove to you that he is real.

Silence in your soul
   means a gentle attention to Christ,
it means turning away from self to him,
   it means looking at him, listening to him.

God speaks silently.

God speaks in your heart:
   if your heart is noisy, chattering - then you will not hear.

Every ordinary thing in your life is a word of God's love:
   your home, your work, the clothes you wear,
   the air you breathe, the food you eat,
   the friends you delight in, the flowers under your feet
   are all courtesy of God's heart flung down upon you!

All these things say one thing only:
   "See how I love you!"

And God asks only one thing,

that you will let him tell you this, directly, simply:

"See how I love you!"

.....................................................................

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.

I Have Loved You by Michael Joncas

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I have loved you with an everlasting love
I have called you, and you are mine
I have loved you with an everlasting love
I have called you, and you are mine

Seek the face of the Lord and long for him,

he will bring you his light and his peace

Seek the face of the Lord and long for him,

he will bring you his joy and his hope

Seek the face of the Lord and long for him,

he will bring you his care and his love