When do the Twelve Days of Christmas begin? On Christmas Day itself - leading us to TWELFTH NIGHT, the eve of Epiphany, January 6.
Through these dozen days, Night Prayer will focus each evening on one
of the many gifts the Christmas season brings us. Tonight: the
gift of mercy after mercy... No partridges in pear trees
here - but you can sing my 12 days to the familiar tune!
On the eighth day of Christmas,
the good Lord gave to me:
Mercy after mercy,
A New Year beginning,
Hope for tomorrow,
- Friends as good as gold - Faith in God above,
Angels sent from heaven,
Shepherds keeping watch
And a Child born in Bethlehem town!
Of all your gifts, Lord,
the one I least deserve,
the one I cannot merit,
the one I cannot earn
the gift I need the most
- is your mercy...
I need it the most
- because I need it so often!
I fail to love as you call me to love
but in your mercy,
you forgive me...
Then I fail again to love as you ask
and again in your mercy,
you pardon my sin...
And then yet again,
I fail to love as you bid me love
and again and again and again,
you forgive me, Lord,
you wash me clean,
as fresh and bright as new fallen snow...
In the new year ahead make me grateful, Lord
for the gift of your unending mercy!
Let me never presume on your kindness
or take your mercy for granted!
Make me grateful, Lord,
that in spite of my foolish and selfish ways,
your mercy waits to welcome me back
to the warmth of your loving embrace...
And send your Spirit to move me to mercy:
in my words, in my deeds, in my stubborn heart,
in my attitudes, feelings and thoughts;
in letting go resentments and grudges
and taking steps toward making peace;
in serving my neighbor, especially the poor,
and welcoming strangers to feel at home...
May the mercy I share, the mercy I give
mirror your mercy to me, O Lord:
restoring and healing,
sweet and refreshing,
gentle and calming,
strong and consoling,
unfailing and faithful,
unending and fruitful,
the mercy that opens my heart to faith,
my faith to love
and my love to hope in 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.
Tonight's very simple song is for
reflecting on God's mercy,
looking for God's mercy,
grateful for God's mercy,
praying to be more merciful...
Lord, In Your Mercy
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