Christmas Video / Christmas Prayer



 

 

Once again we would like to wish all of our friends and family a very joyous and happy Christmas.  It is hard to believe yet another year has come and gone so quickly.  My heart cannot feel heavy because of the recent murders of the very young children and teachers in Connecticutt.  There is no explanation for what happened other than there is evil in the world and that satan is on a rampage. We need to pray for the families and especially for those young children who lived through this hell. On Friday night, after the shootings all I could think of were those parents who knew that their child not coming home, meant that he or she had been a victim. And they also knew their precious little body was still locked up in the school. I think that's what just wrenched my heart the most. I do lift my eyes to the Lord, and cry out to Him.  I believe that many of those parents are doing the same thing. For there alone is where the healing is, where the comfort is, where faith and prayer are real. 

 

These are very dark times for all of us... but when we know in WHOM we believe, trust Him, despite the fact we can't see His hand in any of this... strength will come to us, in small ways. As Christians, we truly know that certain things are going to come to pass... and we can all be faithful to share Jesus with the world, shine for Him, pray for others, love when we don't feel like it. The faith of so many is being shaken, tested, and tried in these days. We can do nothing n our own strength but it is through our weakness that God's strength is perfected. Our hearts may ache collectively as a nation, but heart of our Father, God - is breaking for all of mankind.

 

Perhaps this Christmas prayer expressed by Max Lucado on his blog following the shootings will touch your heart as it has mine:

 

"Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
 
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children"