12/16/25
NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 12/16
Some folks are afraid of the dark, Lord
- and not just children!
Others fear the night time's silence:
lonely hours passed with memories
of days gone by, loved ones lost
and treasured souvenirs of joy...
And the mystery
of walking in shadows, feeling our way
through places unseen and unknown;
wandering, wondering
where our steps might take us,
praying for your hand to guide us...
Help us remember, Lord:
there's comfort in the night time;
there's nothing in the dark
save what was there in sunshine;
that memories glow in shadows,
more clearly than in daylight;
that your gentle Spirit always leads
at dawn, at noon, all night...
Each day when evening comes then,
help us fall into your arms,
make your home within our hearts
that we might find our home in yours...
Protect us, Lord, through dark of night,
keep vigil as we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
In the Arms of God by Tony Alonso
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Come and rest in the arms of God,
Leave your worry and fear
Make your home in the heart of God,
God will dry every tear.
For the burden you carry will fade within God's care,
Come and rest in the arms of God.
Gentle is God's way and humble is God's heart.
Leave your worry and fear
Make your home in the heart of God,
God will dry every tear.
For the burden you carry will fade within God's care,
Come and rest in the arms of God.
Gentle is God's way and humble is God's heart.
God's love will light the way that leads to peace.
Surely you shall see God's goodness and God's grace:
Rest now in God's embrace.
Refrain
Do not be afraid; God heals the broken heart.
Surely you shall see God's goodness and God's grace:
Rest now in God's embrace.
Refrain
Do not be afraid; God heals the broken heart.
Through grief and disbelief God still remains.
God and God alone will be your soul's true rest:
Fall in the arms of God.
Refrain
You are not alone, for God is always near.
God and God alone will be your soul's true rest:
Fall in the arms of God.
Refrain
You are not alone, for God is always near.
Come, place your doubt and fear within God's care.
God will give you rest and soothe your weary soul:
Dwell in the heart of God.
Refrain
God will give you rest and soothe your weary soul:
Dwell in the heart of God.
Refrain
Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 12/16
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I first posted this photo 14 years ago. The little boy in my
sister's window is my great-nephew who, next spring,
will graduate from high school!
It's almost Christmas, Lord,
and children everywhere are filled with excitement
as visions of sugar plums dance in their heads...
It's been a long, long while, Lord,
since I've dreamed of dancing sugar plums
and a long time, too, since childlike faith
has sparked my heartfelt yearning
that gifts beyond my dreaming
are coming - my way -
from the One who loves me always
with love beyond all telling...
Soon, Lord, I'll celebrate
your coming among us,
your living within us,
your bringing the gifts of my heart's desire:
your healing, blessing and peace...
Spark my longing for all of your gifts,
ignite my yearning and deepen my trust
that you're drawing near, to dwell in my heart,
with mercy beyond my hopes and dreams
and with love beyond all telling, O Lord,
with love beyond all telling...
Amen.
12/15/25
NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 12/15
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
Upon those who lived in a land of gloom
a light has shone... Isaiah 9:1
I'm lighting candles on a wreath, Lord,
awaiting a light to shine in my darkness,
to pierce the shadows in the corners of my heart,
to brighten the path I walk each day...
You know better than I, Lord,
how dark my night can be,
how uneven the path I follow,
how cold the shadows in my worries and fears...
I need your light, Lord!
Help me find the light I know is yours,
help me find the light you came to share,
help me find your light to warm my heart...
And shine on the lives of those I love, Lord
the ones I care for and cherish:
with your word and your wisdom
to lead and guide them
illumine the paths they choose
and keep them warm in your love...
I need your light, Lord!
Help me find the light I know is yours,
help me find the light you came to give,
help me find your light to warm my heart,
help me find your light for me to share...
Protect me, Lord, through the dark of night
and watch over me as I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch for your light
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
May You Find A Light by The Brilliance
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Lost and weary traveler,
Searching for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted,
Longing for someone to know
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light
Searching for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted,
Longing for someone to know
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light
to guide you home.
There are weary travelers,
Searching everywhere you go
Strangers who are searching,
Longing deeply to be known.
There are weary travelers,
Searching everywhere you go
Strangers who are searching,
Longing deeply to be known.
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light
to guide you home.
Saint Nicholas!
I've visited Georgetown, CO many times but this is the first time I've been in town for the annual Christmas Market, which runs on the first two weekends of December. There are hundreds of people, strolling carolers, plenty of vendors selling food, crafts and gifts - and a procession of the Santa Lucia Children's Choir from the local public school! l
The procession includes Saint Nicholas - dressed as the bishop he was! The saintly prelate was kind enough to pose for a photo with me after the procession. (The natural backlighting plays some tricks here but this is real - not AI)
Georgetown is definitely my happy place!
Monday Morning Offering: 12/15
Image: George Mendoza
Good morning, good God!
Christmas draws near, Lord,
and everywhere you look
halls are decked, gifts bought, bows tied,
trees trimmed, bells jingled,
cards sent and lights lit…
cards sent and lights lit…
Brass quintets, harking to herald angels,
have muted Advent’s hope and spirit
long before O Come, O Come Emmanuel
was heard at Sunday mass...
So, if not at the mall,
if not online or in the streets,
- then at least in my heart, O Lord:
Let this be a time
when I pause and muse
on Mary’s child,
born to save so many, so many years ago...
Let this be a time
when I wait for you - already come -
who've claimed your place, your home
within my heart...
within my heart...
Let this be a time
when I wait in faith
and watch for when you'll come again,
when all my days are done
and the waiting is no more...
Until then, Lord…
As I do my Christmas shopping,
help me buy whatever's needed
- not for those who give to me -
but for those who have so little,
who are poor as once were you,
in a stable, in a feed box,
in the streets of Bethlehem…
Help me decorate my days
with garlands of real kindness:
let my good deeds be as ornaments,
sparkling on the branches
of my friends' and neighbors’ lives…
Let my eyes shine bright as candles
in the windows of my soul,
with light to welcome all
into my home and to my heart...
Make my greetings truly joyful,
not just in Christmas cards,
but in all the words I speak to those
to whom I’ve peace to offer
and with whom I've peace to make...
Prepare me, Lord,
to celebrate your birthday,
your holy, blessed advent,
your coming on that Christmas night
so very long ago…
And prepare me, Lord,
for when you'll come again
in the advent of eternal peace
within my heart and all throughout the world...
I offer, Lord, my Advent heart:
may prayer sustain me all day long
and through the week ahead
until with all the world we sing
glad tidings of your birth!
Amen.
12/14/25
NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 12/14
On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy: today from the Psalm after the first reading...
Lord, come and save us!The Lord God keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food to the hungry.The Lord sets captives free.The Lord gives sight to the blind;the Lord raises up those who were bowed down.The Lord loves the just;the Lord protects strangers.The fatherless and the widow he sustains,but the way of the wicked he thwarts.The Lord shall reign forever;Lord, come and save us!your God, O Zion, through all generations.
From violence and bullying,
from harm and abuse,
in our towns, homes and streets,
Lord, come and save us!
From terrorism and war,
from death and destruction
east and west, north and south,
Lord, come and save us!
From mean speech and insults,
from lies and half-truths
in conversations public and private,
Lord, come and save us!
From greed and consumption,
from hoarding and wasting
in the world and in my heart,
Lord, come and save us!
From oppression and persecution,
from fascism and racism,
from tyranny and autocracy,
Lord, come and save us!
From neglect and carelessness,
from indifference and complacency
from hardheartedness and apathy
Lord, come and save us!
From inequity and injustice,
from villainy and wrongdoing,
from dereliction and grifting,
Lord, come and save us!
From all that blinds us to your truth,
from all that slows our growth and change,
from all that keeps us from your love,
Lord, come and save us!
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Lord, Come and Save Us by Tom Kendzia
performed by Christ the King Catholic Church
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Hearken, O Shepherd of Israel;
Shine forth before your people.
Rouse your power and come to save us.
Let your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.
Lord, make us turn to you; let us be saved.
Let your face shine upon us and bring us to you.
Hear us, O come to our aid.
Once again, O Lord of hosts,
look down from heaven and see.
Care for your vine,
protect what your right hand has planted.
May your hand be on us,
your hand that makes us strong;
then we will no longer stray from you.
Give us new life, give us new life
and we will call upon your name.
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