Christmas Day Joy in God's Presence
When the angels described Christ's birth as a joy to be shared among all people, they were not making a one-day-a-year offer, to be folded up and put away with the Christmas lights. They promised lasting joy. Such joy may be hard to spot and our Christmas lights often shine light on people suffering from injustices, from poverty and violence.
We could become depressed. If God is with us - Emmanuel - how did we get ourselves into such a state?
Apart from the obvious reason that we often don't pay much attention to God's invitation to living a different way of life and decide to go our own way with disastrous consequences, it is also the case that we have forgotten where to look for signs of God's presence in our world. God's joy is to be found,, even in the worst of places and at the worst of times - if we know where to look.
See some of the signs in the coming weeks by viewing the bad news with new eyes. Recognise those in your own neighbourhood who work tirelessly to make life healthier, safer, more fulfilling. Look further affield to relief workers acting with quiet courage in war-torn countries, to the activists who will not stop until their people are treated with dignity and respect. Find them: find the good people in the midst of the bad news and see in them the face of the God who was born for us, the God who is with us. Take joy in the resilience of our humanity, in our fight for justice and peace, in the ordinary people who rise above the ordinary to do acts of tremendous and extraordinary good.
Life is better because of them. Life is better because of you. Life is good. God is good. God is with us. With you. In us. In you. Rejoice.
(First prayer is taken from Sunday THINK-DO-PRAY suggestions for the week)
Loving God Thank you for the joy which comes from knowing that you have been born among us and are with us always. Help us to see your presence in our daily lives, especially in the good people who cross our paths.
Lord Hear Us
Loving God We pray for those people who work at a local or at a national / international level to make this world a safer, healthier and better place to live. May we recognise in them signs of your presence in the darkest places in our world and support them through our own prayers and actions.
Lord Hear Us
Loving God Help us to continue to experience joy by relishing life's simple pleasures and by recognise the presence of your goodness in ourselves and in others. May we also take joy in this great gift of life you have given to us and be of support to each other as we try to live joyful and healthy lives.
Lord Hear Us