Only a few more days to go until the big day.  Have you finished all your Christmas shopping, wrapped the presents, made preparations for loved ones coming to visit?  Have you begun any of the above?

If you can…just pause a moment, amid all the rush and busyness; just long enough to pray one prayer (maybe to light a candle):

Come, God-with-us:

who braves our rejection and hurt,

who holds us in acceptance and love.

Come, God-for-us:

who whispers

in our ears

that we-

each of us-

are beloved children.

Come, God-under-us:

who cradles us in arms that never grow weary;

whose lap has room enough

for all.

Come, God-over-us:

who watches

in the long silence of the night,

that we might rest in peace.

Come, God-beside-us:

who steadies us

when we falter,

who lifts us up

when we fall.

Come, God-behind-us:

who picks up all the faded dreams

we drop along the way

and patchworks them into hope.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel:

and we will rejoice for ever!  Amen.

(Thom M. Shuman – Iona Community)

 

May your Christmas be blessed and peaceful and filled with love.