December 9
We’ll reflect and pray today using a few
sentences from some Christmas carols.
‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’
includes these words:
“The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee” (Bethlehem) “tonight.”
Let us pray:
As we are about to focus
on your birth, Lord,
we bring our fears to you,
remembering that you assured us
that “There is no need
to be afraid”. Mt 1031
We also bring our hopes to you,
knowing that you said to us:
“Place your trust in me.” Jn 141
Let’s pause for a moment to name some
“hopes and fears” and place them into
God’s hands…
(Pause…)
‘Once in Royal David’s City’
has these words:
“He was little, weak and helpless…
“With the poor… and lowly
laid on earth our Saviour holy…
“He feeleth for our sadness
and he shareth in our gladness.”
Let us pray:
You placed yourself, Lord,
with the poor and helpless,
and identified fully with them,
seeking no advantage for yourself.
Inspire us
to “feel” for how other people are,
that we may try to understand them
and be willing
to place ourselves
alongside those in need.
Amen.
The Advent carol,
‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’, says:
“From depths of hell thy people save…
And close the path to misery.”
Let us pray:
We remember, Lord,
those who are experiencing
the hell of poverty, drugs,
alcoholism, abuse,
homelessness, persecution,
and the other forms of hell
that are to be found
in our world today.
We bring before you, Lord,
those who feel unloved
and all who have little joy
and little hope
in their lives. Amen.
Most carols focus on the birth of Jesus.
‘ While Shepherds Watched’
reminds us
of the message of the angel:
“And on the earth be peace:
goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease”,
yet there is much tension in the Holy Land
in our own times,
between Jews and Palestinians.
We also sing:
“And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace”
from the carol
‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’.
Let us pray:
We think of ordinary people, Lord,
caught up in war
in man-made divisions
between people
of different race or belief,
or background or culture.
We pray for justice and peace
for all who feel threatened.
We pray, too,
for greater love and acceptance
for those experiencing difficulties
in family life.
In praying for these things,
we are praying, too,
that you inspire and enable us
to be instruments
of your justice and peace today.
Amen.
