handy
Member
Father in Heaven,
“Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.†These words of the children's Christmas hymn are especially poignant to us today as we join with our nation in mourning for the 20 children who lost their lives in the senseless violence of yesterday. Many are asking, “Where is God?†Many are wondering, how can we sing "Joy to the World" when such things happen? Where is the hope and glory of Christmas in the face of such tragedy? And in all such tragedies that are ever present in this world.
In the midst of the Christmas story, we often overlook Rachel and her weeping. But not today. Today, we join in Rachel’s lament and cry for the innocents that are lost. We raise our voice crying out to You and in our cry we are reminded that You too, lost Your Child. You suffered Rachel’s loss at the cross and because of Your suffering, You understand and join in our sorrow. Rather, it is Your sorrow that we join in, for You have always grieved over the sin and death that is present in this world.
But, even as You grieve, You work Your will. And just as You sent the magi bearing the gifts that the Holy family would need to fulfill Your plan in the midst of the suffering so long ago, You give us the gifts we need to move forward now. Gifts such as comfort, caring, compassion and over all, love.
But most of all, You give us Emmanuel, God with us. With us in our sorrow, in our grief, and our bewilderment. Emmanuel is with us, bringing us comfort, bringing us peace and turning our mourning into joy.
We cannot understand why things such as the senseless slaughter of innocents happen, but we can know that when they do, You are with us in the midst of it. This is the truest meaning of the Christmas story, it is the fulfillment of the peace on earth that Your angels sang of so long ago. It is the essence of the gospel message that You have entrusted to us.
So today, Father, safe in the knowledge that You are with us, take the time to grieve. . We ask for Your healing comfort and Your compassion, especially for those families who lost their children and loved ones yesterday. And, as those who are in Your image, we need to work Your will as well. We cannot do this on our own, so we ask that You renew our strength to continue to carry Your message of comfort and joy, of “Peace on Earth and goodwill to men†to our loved ones, our neighbors, our community, our nation and our world.
In the blessed name of Emmanuel, amen.
“Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.†These words of the children's Christmas hymn are especially poignant to us today as we join with our nation in mourning for the 20 children who lost their lives in the senseless violence of yesterday. Many are asking, “Where is God?†Many are wondering, how can we sing "Joy to the World" when such things happen? Where is the hope and glory of Christmas in the face of such tragedy? And in all such tragedies that are ever present in this world.
In the midst of the Christmas story, we often overlook Rachel and her weeping. But not today. Today, we join in Rachel’s lament and cry for the innocents that are lost. We raise our voice crying out to You and in our cry we are reminded that You too, lost Your Child. You suffered Rachel’s loss at the cross and because of Your suffering, You understand and join in our sorrow. Rather, it is Your sorrow that we join in, for You have always grieved over the sin and death that is present in this world.
But, even as You grieve, You work Your will. And just as You sent the magi bearing the gifts that the Holy family would need to fulfill Your plan in the midst of the suffering so long ago, You give us the gifts we need to move forward now. Gifts such as comfort, caring, compassion and over all, love.
But most of all, You give us Emmanuel, God with us. With us in our sorrow, in our grief, and our bewilderment. Emmanuel is with us, bringing us comfort, bringing us peace and turning our mourning into joy.
We cannot understand why things such as the senseless slaughter of innocents happen, but we can know that when they do, You are with us in the midst of it. This is the truest meaning of the Christmas story, it is the fulfillment of the peace on earth that Your angels sang of so long ago. It is the essence of the gospel message that You have entrusted to us.
So today, Father, safe in the knowledge that You are with us, take the time to grieve. . We ask for Your healing comfort and Your compassion, especially for those families who lost their children and loved ones yesterday. And, as those who are in Your image, we need to work Your will as well. We cannot do this on our own, so we ask that You renew our strength to continue to carry Your message of comfort and joy, of “Peace on Earth and goodwill to men†to our loved ones, our neighbors, our community, our nation and our world.
In the blessed name of Emmanuel, amen.
