Sunday, December 6, 2015

Dear God,

Sometimes hope and peace comes in fragments, a piece here and a piece there.  Sometimes they come in unexpected ways.  Sometimes they creep up on us and bless in marvelous ways.

When we live our lives day after day without any sense or commitment to your living presence in the world, we miss a holy dimension to life.  We miss the sweet mercies, the sacred encounters, and the wondrous scenes of grace and glory.  But when we live with anticipation, when we declare, "Today I will see the hand of the living God," we are keenly aware of our surroundings, we are watchful, and hope lives in us.  Then when the time comes, joy spreads through us, speaks powerfully its message, and blesses beyond measure.

Today at the Purdue Glee Club Christmas program, thousands watched and listened as talented college students sang and danced the beautiful spirit of Christmas.  Later in the program when they donned worship choir robes and appeared on stage, there was an anticipation that the songs they were about to sing would open our souls and fills us with the beauty and love of your son.  As they followed the lead of the conductor, their voices in full form filled the auditorium with the wondrous sounds of the holy taking us to the manger where we too could kneel and bow down.  There in the dark place your light shone and hope and peace were born...again.

Wondrous Father,
thank you
for your
living presence,
your living spirit,
your living power.
Thank you
for blessing us
with the music
and peace
of Christmas.
Thank you
for Advent
that gives us time
to prepare ourselves
for the blessing
of Christ.

Love always, Andrea