There are times when it is difficult to write, and to pray. The world about us is both naturally dark and darkened by conflict, which makes our Advent season of waiting this year especially sombre. But I remember that so many of our prayers spring out of thanksgiving. So I would like to thank all working so hard in our churches to help bring us together. And then thank you all, as you read this at different times and places: for being people of hope and faith, often unseen but touched by a common purpose, ‘members of one another’.
I also give thanks for all those who, with love in their hearts, work to bring relief, to lessen suffering, to comfort, make connections and build anew. We all know people like this and there are many of them. Thank God.
And ahead of us lies that yearly reminder of the greatest gift of all: that in Jesus, God chose to pour himself into his creation, to share all that we experience, both the best and the worst. Our Christingles, held in our hands and those of our young people, were and are wonderful reminders of the power of love, the power of light, the power of God.
Where else can one start but with thanks?
Holy Lord,
Teach us your words of grace
And acts of mercy,
That we may be one
In your great self offering
To the Father and to our world.
Amen
Comments