Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Dear God,

When I light a candle, sit back and reflect on past Christmases, I rarely remember gifts I received but rather remember the warmth of the room and the beauty of Christmas morning.  I remember love shared, laughter pealing and hope restored. I remember your light shining through the many lights glowing.  I remember the Christmas story read, the sharing of best gifts during the year, the devotional time and prayer. I remember quietly placing baby Jesus in the manger in the creche.

In our society today we focus so much on shopping, cooking the best foods, wrapping gifts, cleaning the house and on and on.  We get worn out and slip so far away from what took place on that first Christmas morning, the star, the shepherds running, the quiet breathing of a new baby, the baying of animals and love filling the air.  In fact, if we don't pause on Christmas day to consider the wondrous gift given, we miss it entirely.

While I am guilty of the preparation frenzy, I am grateful for all those moments when your whisper returned me to the meaning of the season, the gift of faith and a heart full of gratitude.  This early morning, I am thinking of you and the gift of your love.  I am blessed!

O God,

forgive us

for focusing

on the

other things

rather than

the blessed things.

This year

may we

be open

to becoming

new beings

full of love

for you

and one another.

Fill us 

with faith

that we

may light

our candles

of hope

for the world.

Yours always, Andrea