NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 12/14

Although I wrote this prayer just last year, I hope you'll agree 

it deserves a repeat appearance. Here's a 1950's Christmas 

photo of downtown Danvers, Massachusetts where I grew up.

 

   

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 carefully wrapped

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 those 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...

 

It was all so simple

and all from the heart, Lord...

Help me find again a child's pure joy,

   the joy of giving simple gifts 

      to those whose love is now my world;

and open my heart to those in the world

   who need a share of the gifts I have

      in generous abundance...

My parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles 

- and so many more, both family and friends - 

have now gone home 

to open the gift all hearts desire:

    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 mercy:

    help me freely give, as a child does,

    simple gifts from a 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!

 

 

    Photo by RMH

 

 

 

 

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