"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 2:8-15
It feels at times that darkness is closing in on all sides. People and institutions fail to protect our water, air, forests, and creatures. The wealthy accrue more, while the vulnerable go without. Violence tears apart entire nations. Democracies are threatened. Near and far, trouble abounds.
While so many struggle, some, like myself, sit and write prayers in relative comfort and stability. The act of writing and reciting prayers can feel so profoundly insufficient, almost like insufficiency of the actions, at best, neglect our neighbors. Yet, as the calendar turns to December, our liturgical calendar, once again, brings us to the birth of our Lord. Hopeful expectation, followed by joy and hope come to us each year, right on schedule. When the world’s a mess and our lives are turbulent, advent arrives, again, and again. Year after year.
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic The Lord of the Rings, the story’s protagonist is facing the trial of his life, with evil closing in on all sides. “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, a wizard and leader of the Company of the Ring, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Amidst the great trials of our lives, Lord, we pray you might be near and give us moments to be courageous. Be near to us and open the door to be a neighbor, a friend, a peacemaker, one who gives abundantly, and one who loves abundantly.
In darkness, you, the light of the world, arrived. In our darkness, Spirit of God, you are with us always.
The time provided to us is fleeting. Help us to use it for more than writing and reciting prayers. Shake us to relieve the plight of the poor. Prod us to unshackle the chains of injustice. And be the still, soft voice that nudges us to cook a meal for our elderly neighbor, plant a tree, and make peace with our enemies.
Light of the world, our Savior you have come. Light of the world, our Savior coming quickly.
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