Posted 4:48 pm Sunday, December 23, 2012
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A Christmas Prayer
Christmas is here. For the past several years I have written a pre-Christmas column with a theme based on the famous poem, “The Night Before Christmas.”
This year it seems too many people are hurting for an attempt at levity. It would be tempting to blame it on the recent tragic school shootings or any other incidents in our daily diet of news.
This year it seems too many people are hurting for an attempt at levity. It would be tempting to blame it on the recent tragic school shootings or any other incidents in our daily diet of news.
This year my heart is stirred to reflect on the things that really matter. This would start with turning the attention to others which is the reason for this season in the first place.
Several things recently have come to mind. A woman dear to our family and very devout in her faith was visiting with us recently. She has let us know many times she prays for our family. We even asked her recently to think of us again in her prayers and she faithfully responded. Later she looked at me with a knowing and loving heart and said, “Your problems are small, my problems are big.” She was right! How selfish I felt to have even imposed on her for something she so lovingly provided.
This theme seems to be everywhere at the moment. My family worships in the Christian faith. In attempting to follow what we believe, when we regard others as more important than ourselves we not only show love to others but worship our Creator.
Somehow this season has the propensity to bring out the best and the worst in people. How is it that selfishness and selflessness can reside so insidiously close to one another?
The only environment I have seen to produce a more selfish response in children is a Disney theme park.
Before I go off on some soapbox I would wish you the following Christmas prayer:
May the blessings of this season cause us to reflect on our fellow man to regard him as more important than ourselves.
Several things recently have come to mind. A woman dear to our family and very devout in her faith was visiting with us recently. She has let us know many times she prays for our family. We even asked her recently to think of us again in her prayers and she faithfully responded. Later she looked at me with a knowing and loving heart and said, “Your problems are small, my problems are big.” She was right! How selfish I felt to have even imposed on her for something she so lovingly provided.
This theme seems to be everywhere at the moment. My family worships in the Christian faith. In attempting to follow what we believe, when we regard others as more important than ourselves we not only show love to others but worship our Creator.
Somehow this season has the propensity to bring out the best and the worst in people. How is it that selfishness and selflessness can reside so insidiously close to one another?
The only environment I have seen to produce a more selfish response in children is a Disney theme park.
Before I go off on some soapbox I would wish you the following Christmas prayer:
May the blessings of this season cause us to reflect on our fellow man to regard him as more important than ourselves.
May your heart be filled by the giver not the gift.
May the wind in your sails be the laughter of your loves and may we each reflect on the blessings of this day.
May the light in your heart shine on another and the time with your family be blessed.
If it is just you and the Lord may He be your portion.
And may we all love each other a little more deeply if only for just one day.
In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
May the wind in your sails be the laughter of your loves and may we each reflect on the blessings of this day.
May the light in your heart shine on another and the time with your family be blessed.
If it is just you and the Lord may He be your portion.
And may we all love each other a little more deeply if only for just one day.
In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
