Holy God, mere words are not enough to thank You for the gift of Emmanuel, God with Us. During presents, time with family and friends, the music of the holidays, and so much more, keep us mindful of the reason to celebrate. Your gift to us brings hope, joy, adventure, peace, and life. May we live as one who has experienced Jesus as if it were the very first time. Amen.
“In Human Form” by Walter Brueggemann
You are God, high, lifted up, majestic. As we say, “Yours in the kingdom, the power, and the glory . . . forever.”
You are high and lifted up; it dazzles us that You work Your will through such human agents as David, the runt of his family, almost left behind and forgotten, and You called him to power and obedience and success.
You are high and lifted up; it staggers us that You have worked Your will through this Jesus of Nazareth, He of no pedigree, He of no form or comeliness, He who emptied Himself in obedience; and You have raised Him to new life, before whom every knee shall bow.
You are high and lifted up; it astonishes us that You work Your will through human agents like us, people of little consequence and limited capacity. You call us beyond ourselves; You send us beyond our imagination; You empower us beyond our capacity, and we become Your agents in the world, day by day doing justice and mercy and compassion.
At the end of the day we still say in astonishment, that You are high and lifted up and majestic. We are Your creatures, and we give our life back to You, filled with gratitude, eager for the rest that only You can give. Amen.
Gather the Christmas cards you have received and lay them out before you on a table or other comfortable location. For each card, pray for that person or family, giving thanks that they are a part of your life. Give thanks to God for the gift that they are to you.
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