TWO POEMS OF CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve Prayer
By Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.



AND A MORE CONTEMPORARY POEM

Santa’s Prayer on Christmas Eve
By Warren D. Jennings
The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
but Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

“Dear Father,” he prayed, “be with me tonight.
there’s much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,
knowing full well that a reindeer can’t fly.

I will visit each household before the first light,
I’ll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing, I’ll land on each roof,
amid the soft clatter of each little hoof,

To get in the house is the difficult part,
so I’ll slide down the chimney of each child’s heart

My sack will hold toys to grand all their wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.
I’ll eat every cookie that’s left for my snack.

I can do all these things, Lord, only through You,
I just need your blessing, then it’s easy to do.

All this to honor the birth of the One
that was sent to redeem us, your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, least your glory I rob,
please Lord, remind them who gave me this job.”


MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MARY!


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family and my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. And Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke. Also for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She is 10 weeks old and has her own room at the hospital. The doctors continue to experiment with respirators, but her parents can see progress in her lung activity. They need your prayers so badly. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.