God,
It is that time of year again when the holidays and the holy days are upon us.
When we struggle with our many roles of priest and parent, friend and family.
When we haul out the holly and preach the little apocalypse.
When we frantically insist on having a season of PEACE, LOVE, and JOY
In our churches and our homes . . . and the world–if it’s not too much to ask.
Holy, Holy, Holy One,
As we preach your reign this week, may we live it in the weeks that follow,
So that your power in our lives will be greater than the power of our schedules and our guilt;
So that your peace may transform the worldly stress of the season;
So that your love would fill and warm our hearts beyond the music and the glittering lights,
That we might live out true justice and compassion, not just sentimental good cheer.
Crucified One,
Hold us in our grief when it crashes through the jolliness.
Resurrected One,
Remind us of our joy even when we aren’t feeling particularly merry.
God,
It is that time of year again,
Like every time of year,
When we desperately need your presence.
Maranatha. Come.
Amen.
Joanna Harader serves as pastor of Peace Mennonite Church in Lawrence, Kansas. Her blog is Spacious Faith.
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Oh my gosh, YES. Thank you!
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