Preparation

Submitted by Mary Anne Grand- from Raymore United Church

December 10, 2024

"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain,
or help one fainting robin unto her nest again,
I shall not live in vain"
- Emily Dickinson.

Waiting for the Christ child to be born in a manger and to be born in us. The giving, the caring, the kind deeds and the love given truly prepares us for Christmas. But what also comes with Christmas is the busyness, gifts to buy, baking to be done, tree to be bought and decorated, house to be cleaned and the list goes on. Through this busyness do we truly lose the gift of Christmas, the real meaning. Perhaps it is time to think of others, not everyone is going to have a joyous time. For some this will be the first Christmas without their loved one, for others the economy has left them strapped for funds to buy gifts, for others they will find themselves separated from family. Let us hold them in our prayers, let us pray for God's peace and joy to rest on all people. When we wrap Christmas in prayer, our hearts will be open to the Christ child. If we can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain, we shall not live in vain. Christmas Blessings.