A Christmas Prayer

Rev. Jeffrey Symynkywicz, December 17, 2006

O thou spirit of love eternal and life everlasting,

Abide with us now, we pray, at this chosen hour, in this chosen season.

Bring us, we pray, to Christmas again—where, for a season at least, we may escape from the routine world of fact, and discover again the poetry of our lives. Awaken within us a new vision, to perceive within the ordinary the beauty and loveliness me have failed to see before.

Bring us, we pray, to Christmas again—where in the fireside world of fancy, we may find again the innocence in our lives. Awaken within us the gift of childlike wonder; help us finally to comprehend the truth that we know so much more than we can ever understand.

Bring us, we pray, to Christmas again—where, in a world of imagination and delight, we people our lives with song and legend and angels and wisemen.

Bring us to Christmas again—that season when, at last, the spirit triumphs and mundane reality gives way to that deeper reality. Bring us to Christmas at last, where in moments of wisdom, we become more deeply aware of those things in life which truly matter most—the love of family and friends; peace within our world; justice at last for those too long excluded—and in the ability of men and women of goodwill and sacrificial spirit truly to build a blessed community.

Bring us, we pray, to Christmas again. Help us again to light candles in the darkness of our souls. Help us to light candles in the darkness of our world.

May the Light of Christmas open our eyes that we may see.

May the Music of Christmas open our ears that we may hear.

May the Spirit of Christmas open our hearts that we may love.

Amen.

(adapted from Ralph Helverson)

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