For these babies, these teachers, these parents facing the greatest loss of their lives. Jesus, surround them in this dark place of devastation. Let Your love and peace that only You can give be felt this very moment. Such brokenness in our world, sometimes it feels too much to bear.
"Your heart cant forgive. Thats why He gave you His."
~Ann VosKamp
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
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
~Max Lucado
Alicia, Rachel read this before her message on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely feels too much to bear.
ReplyDeleteI love the Max Lucado prayer at the end. So raw and honest.
I hope you dont mind that I posted it on my blog.
Love ya~
Kari
honey,
ReplyDeleteWe need to keep praying for these families ...having come through the holidays was probably more difficult for them than we can imagine and as the dust settles and people return to their routines, many of these families will have many more quiet moments to struggle mightily and grieve deeply .....they will never be able to return to their lives as they knew it. Grieves my heart. So love Max Lucado's prayer ....we do live in dark world but need to remember that greater is He Who is in us than he that is in this world. God's truth is a mighty sword and His peace and comfort surpasses all ....
Ps 46:10