Monday, December 22, 2008

My dearest God,

Pulling together all the pieces of the Christmas Eve service is a real challenge. The music, the readers and greeters, the candles and communion, the Holy family, the bulletins and the candle lighters. Who have I forgotten?

This holy night is my favorite of the year. I always sense your loving presence. I always love feeding my people the bread of life. I love taking the light from the Christ candle and then lighting the candles of my flock. There is something so holy about it. I feel my calling so strongly on Christmas Eve. Yes, I was chosen by you to be a servant of your Son.

I asked Sheila to read the birth story. She loves doing it and she makes the story come to life. As she reads, I see the people in a caravan walking toward their hometowns for the census taking. I see a young pregnant mother riding a donkey. I see the star and the shepherds running. I can hear the angels crying out glory to God.

Making ready, preparing for Christmas Eve calls me to prepare myself. And I find myself praying that you will clean out the cobwebs in my own soul. I give you full reign to do whatever you need to do in order to make me ready to receive you. I don't want a cluttered soul kneeling at the manger.

Cleanse my soul,
Lord,
cleanse my soul
for your coming.
Most of all
I want
to meet you
clean,
free of debris.
And yet,
Lord,
there is
so much
inside me
that needs
your sweeping power.
Whatever lurks
within me,
dearest Christ,
help me
let go,
to surrender all.

Love, Andrea