Christmas & A New Year
/Scripture
The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’ …. ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked …., ‘since I am a virgin?’. The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’. …. ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. (Luke 1:28-32,34,35,38 NIVUK)
Christmas & A New Year
We are in the home stretch toward Christmas and a new year, whatever that might mean. On the way we have the shortest day of the year, probably one that provides mixed feelings because we will have barely 9 hours of daylight on the 21st as our little planet spins us to ever longer days for the next 6 months.
I wrote this prayer for our annual prayer card: “O God we feel the darkness being longer than the daylight and long for more light. Remind us that the light shines brightest in the darkest days and is not overcome. Help us to be short on impatience, anger, envy, and resentment. Help us receive your light and shine with it in kindness, patience, mercy, and gentleness … for Jesus’ sake.”
(2022 Christmas Prayers for Slivers of Hope & Light our annual prayer card found here
As the days lengthen through Christmas and into the new year, I am reminded that the “Shadow of the Almighty” was the impetus with Mary in Jesus’ birth – shadow created light. The psalmist believed that the one who “dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the Shadow of the Almighty”. (Psalm 91) Shadow is protection and also generative power for the creation of light in the world.
I’m taking a break from these little missives until the New Year but wish you all God’s blessings on your family and friends. To those who are celebrating – joy. To those who are grieving – comfort. Candles and music, food and drink, music and laughter be yours in the shadow of the Almighty.
New Year’s Prayer
God of the years, at the gate of the year we put our hands in yours.
As the old tide recedes, may we plant our footsteps in the sands.
May we travel with less baggage and more wisdom,
and learn from you how our journey should be.
(Celtic Prayers for Life Today, Ray Simpson)
(2022 Christmas Prayers for Slivers of Hope & Light our annual prayer card found here
