Still in the thrall of
Christmas, we are on the cusp of the end of one year and beginning of another.
The music, lights, and now unwrapped presents are all still claiming our senses
though perhaps our attention is slightly on the wane. We’re not quite out of
the holiday mood even if all the necessities of action in daily life are
creeping in. Yet there is time enough to breathe deeply and inhale the air
still electric with excitement for the sacred and Holy Infant's birth along
with keeping hope alive regardless of our expectations for the New Year. As we fill
our lungs the Creator-given oxygen disperses throughout our own life’s blood
energizing every cell and tissue. On our exhale, we can thoughtfully, consciously,
and intentionally send our doubts and fears of uncertain faith and the everyday
concerns into the heavens. We inhale deeply again to refresh our souls’ sights
to set our course for a new start, a new birth in ourselves, an awakening, a
fresh awareness of the presence Christ within us and in everyone around
us ~ every single one, even, and especially, those with
whom we disagree mildly or strenuously.
For many
of us this is a special and emotional moment to breathe in the memories of and deeply
held hope for the journey of those no longer with us in this life. Our faith
gives us comfort for their continuing new life in a joy-filled eternity where
our mutual love lives forever.
Yet, while
in the glow of spiritual and earth-bound celebrations, we are to remember the sacred
obligation given to us by Jesus to help others struggling with their ongoing day-to-night-to-day
life issues of serious illness, severe poverty, homelessness, and/or hopelessness.
In this particular season of beauty and fun and exhilaration, it is too easy to
look away from and even blame those in poor and often desperate conditions. Perhaps
you have given donations of much needed money, food, and/or clothing to worthy
organizations. And now is the time, as the New Year approaches, to mark your
calendar to search for ways to continue to give in any way possible, more often
than the once a year thought, even adding time occasionally or regularly to
volunteer to help at food closets, clothing distributors, shelters, or perhaps pre-paying
for meals at a trusted local restaurant.
John
tells us in today’s Gospel that Jesus is the light that shines in the
darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. As the Spirit
of Jesus lives in our hearts by God's gift, let us radiate that light from
within, be the change we want to find in others, live as though we believe in
the grace upon grace received from the Incarnation of Jesus, our Christ, the
Word made flesh who lived among us. Let the first Resolution be made and kept:
Begin at the Beginning and follow the Light. As John says, In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus,
let us begin again with You. Time itself is always moving forward; may we
move forward in purpose to rededicate ourselves to and with Christ’s love to be
the Christians we claim to be.
LET US, GOD’S
PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
Abba! Lord! You have revealed all life through Your Son Jesus, born of a
woman to redeem us as Your children, Your heirs. Grant us the faith and courage
to live every day in wisdom and in strength, through the Spirit of Christ that
You have sent into each of our hearts.
Jesus, God’s Holy
Word
RESPONSE:
Center our hearts and minds on You
~
Abba! Lord! Let us not rest or keep silent in seeking Your righteousness
and peace among all nations and all leaders, everywhere. Cause the changes we
seek in others to spring up in ourselves in our daily thoughts and actions. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, God’s Holy Word
Center our hearts and minds on You
~
Abba! Lord! Lift the lowly from their distress and bind up the wounds of
all hurting bodies and souls. Renew the love and energy of all who give
care and support. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add
your own petitions
Jesus, God’s Holy Word
Center our hearts and minds on You
~
Abba! Lord! Heal the hearts broken by grief as those we love now live
again, swathed in the glory and rejoicing in the exquisite bliss of Eternity.
We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, God’s Holy Word
Center our hearts and minds on You
~ Abba! Lord!
We pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt
thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own
petitions
Jesus, God’s Holy Word
Center our hearts and minds on You
~
Abba! Lord! May Your Holy Spark forever blaze through the souls of those
anointed to lead us on our journey toward Christ’s everlasting redemption. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, God’s Holy Word
Center
our hearts and minds on You
The
Celebrant adds: Jesus,
God’s Ever-Present Glory and Truth, You came as God’s flesh and blood
among us in Your humanity; in Your divinity, You are our grace upon
grace. As You have clothed us in the garments of Salvation, guide us to be
Your Light in our world that the darkness of evil cannot overcome. We ask
through God, our Creator, who together with You, our Redeemer Christ, in the
unity of Holy Spirit, are One God, now and forever. Amen.
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