Loving God,
Mary and Joseph likely didn't expect a stable for the
Savior they knew was coming. The shepherds were just trying to get in an honest
night's work and a little shut eye under the stars. Fast forward and the Magi
were probably looking for someone a little more, um, royal.
But they opened themselves to your way of doing things in order to receive and
be a part of the greatest love story ever told.
Your way of doing things is different than ours. It is
all at once whimsical and wise, sacred and mundane. It is peace in the middle
of a war zone. It is justice rendered in a corrupt court. It is music ringing
out in the darkest night. It is light that will not be extinguished. It is
crazy, sacrificial, unreasonable love that stands up to fear. Your way of doing
things is different than ours. And we are so glad for that.
Teach us your way: we need peace in the middle of war
zones, justice in corrupt courts, music in the night. We need a baby in a
manger, and a savior in Mary’s arms. We need to love our enemies and with our
food we could feed thousands if we could only learn how to share. We need
Jesus, and tonight a child is born unto us. Break open our hardened hearts to
receive your Son.
Teach us to pray with humility- for our vulnerable
earth, for the poor and needy, for the cold and naked on our doorsteps. Teach
us to act with courage- to give more than we knew we could, to look the
stranger in the face and dare to see something holy. Teach us to believe with
abandon- that love makes a difference, and that peace is possible. Teach us to
walk in your footsteps and to be a part of your story: the story that has the
power to change the world… and maybe even change each of us.
Steal our hearts tonight, we pray, and show us the way
to your kingdom.
Amen.
Amen.
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