A Christmas Prayer

CELEBRATION beyond

the tinsel

and

superficial

trappings

which

distract

& dilute

the

meaning

of the

coming

of

Jesus.

HARMONY

to flood

in where

discord

reigns in

families & communities

and where

war destroys lives,

homes

and

HOPE.

REFRESHMENT

for the

jaded

and

exhausted

and for

those

who are

cynical

and

lack

enthusiasm

and

JOY.

INCLUSION

as

Jesus taught us …

of the

poor

and the marginalised

as well as

the

powerful

and the privileged.

SENSITIVITY

to

those

for whom

this time

is

particularly painful

because of

grief, separation, loneliness

and

alienation.

TIME

and

PATIENCE

to

listen

to others, FREEDOM

from the

lies

of

prejudice

and

preconceptions.

MORE COMPASSION

for those

whose

cries

for

justice

are

IGNORED.

A SPIRIT

Of

determination

to bring LIGHT

into the

dark places

where

hunger, famine,

abuse and

oppression

keep

people bound.

SILENCE

of our

fears and anxieties,

our doubts

and

questions,

and a FREEDOM

to release our PRAISE

for the

coming of Christ.