ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Here we are, on Christmas Eve. This year I did not get around to sending out ANY Christmas cards. Instead; I offer up this prayer to all of those whom I would have mailed them to. You know who year are!

I’ve been busy. We have our family gatherings on Christmas Eve. My Mom comes over for brunch. Usually some of our adult kids and grandkids join us too. They come just to get to see her and visit with her for Christmas.

THE GATHERING TOGETHER

This year I’ve made breakfast casserole, orange cranberry muffins and buscuits with gravy. There is a large platter of fresh fruit all cut and arranged. I’m making French toast too.

This evening we will have a time with dinner as we gather with just our grown children and their children. I’m serving Roast Beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and corn pudding. There are several desserts that people will probably skip. I have healthy eaters around here; but my favorite dessert this year is the gingerbread cookies. https://youtu.be/_tohWV29-F4.

The group of our immediate family that lives a few states away will be missing; because they don’t like leaving home for Christmas and we never hold that against them. Our local family are all able to tuck their little ones into their own beds after leaving our party. All of our family will be snug in their own homes on Christmas Day. The out-of-towners will probably pop in to see us sometime in the new year.

CELEBRATING EMMANUEL – CHRIST WITH US

So; I’ve been busy preparing for both morning and evening Christmas Eve family celebrations at our home.

Sometimes we get to squeeze a candlelight service into the mix. I’m not sure if that will be possible this year; but it could happen on Christmas morning when my husband and I are typically alone and finding our own way to celebrate Christmas together. Often we take a little trip; just the two of us.

All of that just to say; I finally sat down and let the quiet of the morning sink in.

I try to find some quiet time every morning; but especially before the rush of people on our Christmas Eve celebrations.

The house is lovely, all blinking with soft lights and candles. Everything is clean and neat and in place.

I catch myself wondering if that is true of our spirits. I ask myself if my thoughts of Jesus are all neat and straightened and tucked into their places.

If so; I need to make a change!

GOD WON’T FIT INSIDE A BOX

Jesus should never be nice and neatly packaged. We have reached the time for celebrating Emmanuel; God with us. Jesus should be spilling out everywhere, into everything that we do right now. He should not be contained and brought out when the appropriate prayers are said or the time of reflection comes around.

He is present and we should be feeling that Presence.

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

The Light of the World has come down from Heaven and dwelled on earth like us. He loved us that much.

I wonder how many people are thinking this same thought as they begin their Christmas celebrations.

On deeper reflection, I know that this has not been an easy year for many people.

We’ve even had our own little set of troubles to overcome. My husband and I were forced into retirement this year as both of our jobs played out unexpectedly. We had planned to work much longer than we did, and didn’t feel quite ready to retire; but God allowed this and here we are.

Once we accepted that fact things became so much easier; now we are actually loving that we have more time for what truly matters.

Our little bump in the road seems so insignificant to the suffering we have seen some of our closest relatives and friends go through this year.

When any such darkness comes, we simply need to turn to The Light of the World.

A PRAYER ON CHRISTMAS EVE

I am thinking of all of them this morning as I try to formulate a Christmas Eve prayer that brings life into reality.

There is the brave one fighting cancer. Another cancer patient dear to our hearts just had a kidney removed. Someone we love is hoping not to lose his father to the cancer that he is being treated for. Cancer is an ugly, uncaring disease. So many we know are suffering with it.

Another friend suffers with demintia. That disease could be even harder than cancer. I pray for him and his family.

There are many others who are sick and suffering. I offer a prayer for each and every one.

We know so many who have lost loved ones this year; several of them under tragic and unimmaginable circumstances. I ask God to give them comfort.

Then there are those that are struggling in this chaotic, crazy politically driven society we have had to exist among. Many have lost jobs, homes, relationships, etc.

My heart hurts for them all; but my heart also hopes for them all, because Jesus is Emmanuel; God with us.

KNOWING THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

It is because of knowing Emmanuel that we can thrive, love and continue on in spite of the conditions of the world around us. We can know without a doubt that Our Creator made us for a purpose and each day we can live into that destiny. This can’t be done alone; only with Christ beside us.

He is our hope, our salvation, our answer to the problems that we face.

Many problems are at the doorstep of our nations and actually the whole globe. The ways of men cannot solve them; though those ways are shoved at us night and day.

Until the nations come to understand that God is sovreign; nothing will get better. Those who know this depend on that wisdom alone to help us cope and survive in a world gone mad.

I’m searching for the right words, the correct prayers and the way back to hope on this Christmas Eve.

A PRAYER FOR HOPE, HEALING AND PEACE

Here is the prayer that is forming inside my spirit:

Oh God, you are present even in the darkest moments. You waited until the darkest night of the year and sent your precious Son to be born among us and to live as we have lived.

There is nothing about us that you do not know or understand.

O God; there are those who are having to feel their way through the darkness today. Please help them and strengthen their spirits.

For those who feel alone; help them to know You are Immanuel. God with us. Help us all to feel your presence and love today.

For every Christmas tree light and every flickering flame of each candle we light; help us to know your Presence and feel your love.

YOU MAKE ALL THINGS NEW

Lord; thousands of years ago You came and changed the world. We need for you to change it again. Our nations have fallen. Our leaders are on the wrong tracks.

God we look to you for vision and hope and healing.

Help us to be people of courage. Show us how to find your light even in these dark times.

Lord, we pray for great miracles and healing to take place. Send your healing touch to those who need it most. They are trusting that you are there and that you will heal them.

Please look over your beloved Israel and bring them peace. As you heal us Lord; please heal our lands. Help us to study peace instead of war; but help us to stand for Your righteousness and never fail you. Give us strength to fight the battles that we must fight.

Your divine, perfect and infinite love brings us comfort. In You, Emmanuel, we can rest safely.

O Holy Comforter; please comfort those who morn. Help them to find peace and comfort and rest within your gift of sacred time. Help them to know the mysteries of eternity; and that they will see their loved ones again.

AWAKEN OUR HEARTS

Fill their hearts with memories that make them smile. Help them to be thankful for having had those moments with those that they miss so much.

Our souls are bare Lord; breathe new life into all of us in this holy, sacred season of remembering Your story.

Awaken our hearts to the joy of life and living. You came to experience these things with us. Now we must remember to experience our moments with You as You live within us.

Thank you God for all of the miracles, all of the answered prayers, all of the wisdom when we did not have the right answers and you showed us the way.

We love You and trust that You will come again and deliver us from all of the evil that surrounds us.

In the meantime; we know You will hold us in the palms of your hands and help us to live in peace; no matter what the circumstances of mankind have wrought to this earth.

Our hearts and souls will have the trusting love of a child; because you too were once a child.

You trusted that the miracle of God with Us could happen; and it has!

Let your joy spill over to your children today Lord.

We trust and believe in Jesus Christ;

Amen