by Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.
It’s Christmas time in the city. Lights dazzle and sparkle. In our home, the red petals of a small poinsettia are backed by the flourishing green plant of the bedroom window. Cards from friends decorate. The table holds a candle in a holder that says, “Christ the light.” I witnessed the man from across the street walk carefully down icy steps to give the mail carrier a small Christmas package. It reminds me, we need to prepare a card with a bonus for our hard-working superintendent. Churches across the city will have a service this evening.
It looks like the Lord put us in Elmhurst, and He wants us to stay in the city this Christmas when families everywhere are feasting and fellowshipping. We’ve had the privilege of caroling in a subway station near us and also, in Penn Station. Thousands of commuters heard the singing. Clay, Rodger, and Dexter shared the Christmas story in a tract. I gave a children’s Bible story book to a homeless young woman who stood by her garbage bag of goods at the Roosevelt Avenue Station.
Sheila Petre sent me her book, Prayers for my Hometown. It inspired me to write a simple prayer:
Dear God, As the snow gently falls on the community this Christmas Eve, make our hearts white, our minds pure, and our path illuminated by your light. I pray that the homeless will be sheltered by You. Keep us from evil.
In Jesus name, amen.
May the peace of Christmas rest upon you.
Berniece
An Ordinary Life 