Wednesday, December 22, 2004

A Prayer for Advent

Oh God,

We are coming through this period of Advent, this period of waiting, of traffic at the mall, credit cards posed; overwhelmed with the love we have for our friends and families, yet still feeling everything we have to give is inadequate.

Even in the midst of our loving family we can feel alone. We miss the ones who are not here, wondering how Christmas can still be Christmas without them, We wonder how we will make it through the trials ahead’: January and February loom long, dark and cold.

But along with the fear, there is a branch of hope. We are incurably wounded and grieving, our heads in our hands, yet still peering through our fingers at the late rising sun on an unimaginably cold morning.

And then, quite unexpectedly, we hear the birthday songs of the new baby, this child whom we approach with tenderness and wonder. We see our own children light up with simple joy, and we remember what it’s like to be light again. We feel the stirring of green shoots in our own hearts, straining toward the faint light of a candle, the rose gold beams of the dawning sun. And we thank you for the fact that no victories are ever won except by this slow tender growth, this steady sun, your immutable gaze, your compassionate forgiveness, daily bread. And we see that you have patiently waited for us all our lives.

So today, we will wait for you.

Amen.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

And we see that you have patiently waited for us all our lives.Last night, unable to sleep, I read the collected Books of Narnia. I came home to this.

These two things comfort me, today.

Anonymous said...

The peace, love and light that child brought into this world live on in all of us. We continue it, faltering and falling along the way, but reminded each year at this time that we can make it, we can love and shine in peace...together.

thanks, n...merry christmas!
love, kris

Anonymous said...

Thanks Nerissa! What a beautiful prayer! Merry Christmas to you too!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Nerissa! What a beautiful prayer! Merry Christmas to you too!

Love,
Becky

hopeful said...

Amen.

Thank you again, Nerissa.

On these coldest of days, may you and your family
find joyous ways to warm your hearts and souls!

Peace,

~jenn

Tom M Franklin said...

A beautiful, thoughtful prayer, filled with the love, fear and frustration that I think is all-but Universal with those of us in this culture -- even if our "credit cards [are] posed" and not poised.

I wish for us all the Peace that God offers at this time of year and throughout our lives.

Have a wonderful Christmas.

...

Anonymous said...

Solstice 2004



Chase away the doubt of darkness

Ring the bell and call the new day,

Toast the coming expected sunshine

Feast on nature’s grand display.



Anticipate the light’s new dawning

Send the gloom and cold away

Be with friends in celebration

Starting now the brighter day.

Happy Holidays,
Paul S.

Anonymous said...

The Winter days are not as cold, not with the warm memories of you singing to me Nerissa, and Katryna. I've been watching the sunrise too, from the woods. It is beautiful, like a new life being born is the dawning.
Love you. Merry Christmas. MOWHAWK MAN

jbgrinch said...

Im reminded of my tiem in the cold and frozen land and my thoughts turn to a song by gordon bok. "the world is always turning toward the morning." a nice warm thought to hold you till spring or mud season as it is known up there.

jeremy