By Sami Fortin
PREVIEW Columnist
Dear Lord,
I love how you love me, You always know exactly what I need at any given moment. You came to earth more than 2,000 years ago to show how much You care for each of us.
This time of year, it’s so important for the believer and unbeliever alike. It’s a time of wishes and dreams come true. Even though we can still see the trouble the world is in, we can also see the hope that’s in this season. Not just for this day, but for the future when You come back and set all things right again.
Help us to remember the reason You came, to save mankind, some might not understand, but You have put eternity in our hearts and we all know that this isn’t the end of the story.
As we journey through this life, some experience extreme pain and loss while others seem to glide through. May we remember the joy that is ours when we think of our salvation and Your promise to work all things together for good for those that love You and are called according to Your purposes. Open our eyes to see the magnificent gift of Your son Jesus. Tug on our hearts when we sing the old melodies that recall Your birth.
Help us to realize that with our trials there’s always something to look forward to, like Christmas Day, the way a child’s face lights up and is so excited to open their gift. I’m hoping that even in the poorest home there would be the gift of revelation. All is not lost, no, You’ve been chasing after us and we can stop running when we know how much You love us.
I’m hoping that we’ll all look around us and see that there are people that love us and are willing to share what they have so that all people will enjoy Christmas Day. Lord, help us to spread the cheer to the lonely and homeless to the orphan and the widow. Open our hearts to share one another’s burdens and pass even more love than we thought we had. Lift our spirits in this year of chaos and show us a new way to express peace even in the noise.
Lord, we stand on Your promises and declare Your goodness over all the earth. You will not let any weapon forged against us prevail. Strengthen Your people. Make us bold and courageous to sing Your praises to testify to your goodness. Cause us to light up the world like the star on the night You were born. May tidings of good cheer go out this season to warm our hearts and draw us to you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
