Saturday, December 5, 2015

Dear God,

You came in all your glory bringing hope, peace, and joy!  The scene was exquisite as one, then another and another came in carrying tall lighted candles to light the darkened candles in the sanctuary.  When the light permeated the darkness we realized no amount of terror could take away the light.  No amount of violence could steal the song.  No amount of fear could rob us of faith.  The orchestra and bells began to play and before long all the choirs, the chancel choir, the teen choir, the children, members, friends, and visitors alike squeezed into the pews were all standing to sing, Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus. We felt our hearts lifted, our souls filled, and our minds redirected from horrible events in our world.  We were drawn to the manger, the baby, the Christ.

Sometimes we get full up with tragedy, sorrow, and fear.  We feel bent over, our eyes to the ground instead of the skies.  We feel loss of hope, our peace shattered.  Our words betray our faith.  We sound more like fearful children than mighty witnesses of faith, hope, and love.  Then miracle of miracle, you come to us.  You step out, read the Word, sing the song, and pray the prayer.  You lead us to the stable where faith was borne for so many of us.  There in the silence you speak and fill and help and bless and love us.

Indeed, come,
Saving God;
come again
to us.
Renew and
restore us.
Inspire us
to faith,
not a
dry, dull,
lifeless faith,
but to
a lively,
hope-filled,
enthusiastic faith
that leaks out
into the world.
Let your love
come to life
inside us
so we overflow
to our neighbor,
our family,
and the stranger.
Help us
meet evil
and death
with love
so wide
and deep
nothing can
stop our commitment
to love
the world
to peace.

Love always, Andrea