Christmas – A prayer for today

25.12.23: Blesséd darkness

December 24, 2023December 25, 2023Ruth Kirk

She brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them
in the inn (Luke 2:7; KJV).

Blesséd darkness;
Blesséd light;
Blesséd waiting
In God’s sight.

Blesséd labour;
Blesséd birth;
Blesséd Christ-child
Here, on earth.

Blesséd stillness;
Blesséd love;
Blesséd, sacred
Motherhood.

Blesséd silence;
Blesséd praise;
Blesséd peace
As Mary prays.

Mary treasured up all these things
and pondered them in her heart.
(Luke 2:19; NIV).

Christ waits

June 2, 2022Ruth Kirk

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us
(Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Every day is Christmas Day,
And every day is Easter.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits to be our Teacher.

Every day he’s born again,
And every day, tormented.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits to be befriended.

Every day he lives for us,
And every day he’s dying.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits, with tears, and sighing.

Every day he shares our joy,
And every day, our sorrow.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits, until tomorrow.

The Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion
(Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

Christ’s birth

December 25, 2021December 25, 2021Ruth Kirk

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16; NLT).

Thank you, Lord, for loving us,
And giving us your only Son,

So we can believe in him
And follow him on earth.

Then we will not perish, Lord,
For he will lead us back to you:

Reunited, evermore –
Lord, thank you for Christ’s birth.

🖤

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35; KJV).

She gave birth to her first child, a son.
(Luke 2:7; NLT).

It’s Advent!

November 29, 2020November 29, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: Dorothée Quennesson, Pixabay

🧡

1. It’s Advent, Lord:
I wait anew,
To hear your cry,
And welcome you.

2. It’s Christmas:
And you’re born afresh
In my poor mind, heart,
Soul, and flesh.

3. It’s Easter, Lord:
You rise again,
To free me from
All sin and pain.

4. It’s Pentecost:
Each day you burn
Within me,
Till your great return.

🧡

References

1. Wait expectantly for him (Psalm 37:7; CSB).

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3; NKJV).

2. She gave birth to her first-born son (Luke 2:6; RSV).

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

3. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman Soldiers to be crucified (Mark 15:15; NLT).

You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! (Mark 16:6; NLT).

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

4. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4; NLT).

Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32; NLT).

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28; NLT).

In the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 26:64; NLT).

It’s always the Beginning

October 9, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: WikiImages, Pixabay

His mercies begin afresh each morning
(Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

1. It’s always the Beginning, Lord:
Each day you make me new.

2. It’s always Advent,
While you wait for me to turn to you.

3. It’s always Christmas, Lord:
You’re born again in my poor soul.

4. It’s always Holy Week,
When you face death to make me whole.

5. It’s always Easter, Lord:
You rise again to give me faith.

6. It’s always Pentecost,
When your great Spirit gives me grace.

7. It’s always Harvest, Lord:
Each night we probe the day that’s past –

8. So it’s always Judgement Day,
Lord, may I see your face, at last?

References

1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; NLT).

He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5; RSV).

2. The Lord must wait for you to come to him (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

3. She gave birth to her first-born son (Luke 2:6; RSV).

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3; NLT).

4. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

5. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! (Mark 16:6; NLT).

I pray [that] Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16-17; NET).

6. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8; NLT).

God saved you by his grace when you believed (Ephesians 2:8; NLT).

7. You must celebrate the Festival of Harvest (Exodus 34:22; NLT).

The harvest is the end of the world (Matthew 13:39; NLT).

8. As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement (1 John 4:17; NLT).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).