For the New Year

I can't remember when or where I found this poem but I make it my prayer as each New Year approaches. I hope it will touch your heart as it does mine.

Unmapped Miles Ahead

I wrap up
the last day of December.
Ahead hang months
Of unmapped miles.
Inside me
eagerness
tangles with trepidation.
Questions
rim my heart:
What Trial?
What Triumph?
What will meet me tomorrow?

Creator of our chronology-
You who set up seasons
split light from night
walked timelines in both directions-
You know what’s waiting.

Hold my hours in Your hands
tug me toward right
tap my shoulder and whisper instructions
fill my heart with Your directions.
I want to walk these days
with You.

Joan Rae Mills

Merry Christmas

IT IS NOT OVER

It is not over,
this birthing.
There are always newer skies
into which
God can throw stars.
When we begin to think
that we can predict the Advent of God,
that we can box the Christ
in a stable in Bethlehem,
that’s just the time
that God will be born
in a place we can’t imagine and won’t believe.
Those who wait for God
watch with their hearts and not their eyes,
listening
always listening
for angel words.

Poem by Ann Weems
“Kneeling in Bethlehem” (1987)

From our family to all of you - May Christ's advent bring newness of heart

and much joy to you this Christmas

The nativity ornament in the photo was given to my husband by his Sunday School teacher when he was just a little guy.

Morning Prayer

I came across this prayer recently and have it here on my desk as a reminder.

Eternal Father of my soul

Let my first thought today be of You,

Let my first impulse be to worship You,

Let my first speech be Your Name,

Let my first action be to kneel before You in Prayer.

Yet let me not, when this morning prayer is said,

think my worship ended

and spend the rest of my day in forgetfulness of You.

John Baillie

Amen and Amen