Luke 2:10-11 – But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, I thought we were supposed to pray and reflect about hope, love, joy, and peace this Christmas. Lord, help! For this year, I have sat by the terminally ill, and I did not see hope. Lord, I sat with the bereaved and mourning, and I did not see any joy. Lord, I read the headlines, and I don't see any peace. Worst of all, Lord, I look around at this uncaring, rush-rush, money-mad world, and I see so little love. Where are You, Lord?

Lord, maybe what I need this Christmas is a new pair of spiritual eyeglasses, ones that would let me see the hope and trust those ill people had in You, so even if they have died, as we on earth call it, we know they are alive forever in You. Maybe those glasses would let me see the loved ones of those who mourn, and see they are not in some box with handles, but are running, leaping, and dancing with You. Those glasses might let me hear better, too. I might hear You say "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9 NIV) Then, I would see that any tiny effort toward peace is better than no effort at all. Perhaps those glasses might help me see that there is a little love bestowed in even a kind word, or a coin for some homeless person. For You did say that if someone gave even a drink of water, they would receive a reward. (Mark 9:41)

I guess, Lord, there is Christmas wonder all around us. Is it, "if only we had eyes to see it", or is it, "if only we took time to look"? This season, Lord, give us all childlike eyes so we may see the wonder, love, and joy again. Amen.

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About the author:

Bruce M. Dinsmore <dinsmore@pathcom.com>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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