Shout Away The Darkness

At Christmas time many years ago, during the war, an old priest was visiting the wounded at a local hospital. He came upon a very young soldier whose spine had been shattered by a bullet. He was lying face down in a canvas cradle. A round hole had been cut into the bottom of the cradle for his face. But all he could see was the floor. Thousands of miles from home and fearing he'd never walk again, the teenager felt utterly alone, cut off from all the world as he stared at that floor hour after hour.

He spoke with the priest in hushed tones and then after awhile, the boy asked softly, "Father, could I see your face? I feel so alone. It would help me a lot, if I could just see your face a little while."

And so, carefully, with creaking joints, the old priest got down on his knees, then over onto his back, and ever so slowly he inched his way under the cradle until at last the boy could see him - face to face - and know for a little while that he wasn't alone.

That's what we've always longed for as we stumble through the cold and the dark, trying to find our way in life. We long to see our Father face-to-face and to know for sure we're not alone. We long for His warmth, His light, and His strength. And now on this holy night, our deepest longing is fulfilled and our dream has come true. For as we look upon that tiny face in the manger, we know at last what God is really like: He's the one who loves us with a love beyond all telling, and He holds nothing back.

As we see this child and as we know the man He'll become, we know in our hearts we'll never be alone or cold or afraid again. For God's son Jesus, our brother Jesus, has come to light our darkness, to warm our coldness, and to show us the way home! And on this Christmas feast we celebrate and we sing with the angels: Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest!

I invite all of us to light a candle this Christmas, not just shouting away the darkness of what is, or stuck in the longing for what might have been, but lighting our own candle of generosity, witness, forgiveness, and kindness.

In sharing my wishes for you to have a very happy Christmas, I pray that happiness will bring peace into our hearts, making us peacemakers in our homes, our communities, and making us, in small but real ways, makers of peace in our world.

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Loving God, You brought Your Son into this world that we may forever walk in light. We pray tonight for those who are in distant lands, defending democracy and human rights. Wherever they may be, may they find the embrace of love in their hearts, from their families and loved ones. We pray for those who are frightened about finances, the possibility of losing their jobs and homes, and who are suffering from stress. We pray for those who are struggling to maintain relationships due to the weight of financial worries. Bring peace and understanding into their hearts, that they may support one another. We pray for the countless children who suffer at the hands of adults who exploit, hurt, and intimidate them. Guide those children to people who can protect and help them. And we pray for our world leaders; that they may act with wisdom and compassion in all they do. We pray this in the name of Your living Son, Christ Jesus. Amen

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The Meaning of Christmas

Preparing For Christmas

The Darker Side of Christmas

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