A Christmas Prayer

Everlasting God,

We celebrate new life today. The new life born in Bethlehem, the new life that tiny baby brings to all who suffer from the curse of sin and death. The new life in human form, but that which has always existed, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light.

But as we wait here in the tension of the “already but not yet,” the light grows oh so dim. Our flames flicker and wane. Our joy burns out. Our lives become dark.

Let us hear the good news once again:

The light has dawned upon the earth!

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those of us who say we believe but so easily forget:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those whose light has been extinguished by the prevailing winds of greed, hatred, and prejudice:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those whose darkness is an empty table, or no table at all:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those whose darkness is grief and pain and loss:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those whose darkness is broken homes and abusive relationships:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those who have no peace, without or within:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those who grapple with the darkness of addiction:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those whose darkness is mental illness, or who live in the light-masking fog of anxiety or depression:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those whose darkness is persecution for their faith:

The light of the world is Jesus!

For those in the darkest places on earth, who live in a perpetual night of violence, oppression, and hunger:

The light of the world is Jesus!

King of kings, be born in us today, brighten our souls, give us fire in our hearts, so that we may carry our light to those who grope in darkness. Shine in us, so that your glory reaches the far corners of the earth. Like sunshine at noonday, let your glory shine into our hearts and our minds, and may its expanse be so great that nothing can snuff it out.

May we hear the invitation, and may we extend it to everyone, everywhere:

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee!

The light of the world is Jesus!

These things we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, the holy Child of Bethlehem, the light, in whom there is no darkness at all, who taught his disciples to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Photo: Flickr, auntjojo, Creative Commons 2.0