GIVE ME WARMTH - A Winter Prayer

For all warm things of this season I thank you, Lord

For the warmth of my house as I come cold from shopping.

For the fragrant warmth of my kitchen as I turn on the oven and sift and measure and stir and bake.  

For the snug warmth of the bedrooms where (finally, after much commotion) 

my children sleep.

For the warmth of this cup steaming coffee in my hand

as I settle down (exhausted, not at last) before the fire that dances

so warm and festive on the grate.

And for warm clothes, Lord.  

These slippers, this robe -

all the untidy closets bursting.  

That car coat tossed across a chair.  

And the car itself, a warm car to take us places

(once we get it started). 

And those warm places:  the homes of neighbors, friends, a warm church to worship in.

And the warm people there.  The warm smiles and greetings.  

The generosity and kindness of people everywhere.

I am full of warmth, Lord.  It comforts me.  It calms me.

It makes me feel aglow almost as rosy as the embers in the fireplace.

I want all people to be warm and rested and at peace.

Thank you for this blessed season of warmth

in the midst of so much that is chill and stormy.  

Let it draw all of us together against the coming cold.

- by Marjorie Holmes, from her book 

Hold Me Up a Little Longer, Lord

Personal Reflection:  (By Bobby Sagra)

The holiday season has become so commercialized

There is an air of excitement everywhere with last minute Christmas shopping and hitting all routes to be home for Christmas.

In southern Philippines, where over a thousand lives stopped breathing, after a sudden flood caused by swift storm

the people left behind bury their dead and pick up the leftover pieces of there shattered and devastated lives,

and some with meager strength celebrate Christmas with feelings of brokenness, not even having a "a room in the inn"

just a roof over their heads, warming themselves as they hug and cry, as they pray and hope for some aid to come.

As we come to pray, and worship God this Christmas.

Let us not forget that in the atmosphere of joy around, there is sigh of loss and pain somewhere, in the plenty and fullness of it all, there is want and emptiness beneath it, in all wish and desire to be home, there is some unavoidable barrier, but in the end, it is truly love that keeps the heart warm, it is really love that gives true meaning and joy, it is only love that can unite every family and heal each pang of sorrow.  For even on Christmas there are still children left orphans,
people staying on hospital beds, in prisons or out there somehow lost in the darkness of the night, waiting for some comfort of love and joy.  After all,  there is no better place to celebrate Christmas

than being at home, with our loved ones, to stay together

in mutual love and self giving.  Let us have a merry Christmas as we worship the Baby Jesus lying in the manger.