Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.
REFLECTION: Written by Valerie Weaver
It was Christmas, 1968. I had just joined my husband who was in the Navy stationed at Cubi Point, Naval Air Station in the Philippines. We were waiting for a place on base and living in a small apartment in Olongapo City. Our personal shipment had not arrived and our small apartment was bare and Christmas was almost upon us. We felt far from home and family, alone and adrift in a strange culture and land. Just before Christmas Day we learned that the Navy had shipped in a load of Christmas trees from Japan. We rushed to get one and quickly set it up in our empty living room, but we had no decorations. At a local market we found some small Chinese lanterns that became the only decorations for our little tree. Finally, our temporary shelter felt like home. It wasn’t really the tree or the small lanterns but the act of starting our celebration. We realized that we could celebrate the birth of our Lord no matter how far we were from our geographical home. He was with us and we were indeed home wherever we were. I use those lanterns still every Christmas as a reminder that He is with us always and wherever we may be.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 24:1-2
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers.
Pause and meditate on the Scripture.
PRAYER: Written by Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009), a Christian cleric and writer.
Awaken, O Lord Jesus, our hearts and minds to your presence in the world of your love’s creating. Forbid that we should stumble through this day oblivious to the wonder in the ordinary. With your grace, startle us into faith’s perception of your continuing creation in our lives. Amen.
Click on the link to see and hear the music video.
MUSIC VIDEO: From A Christmas Carol: A Place Called Home
IMAGE: Christmas Lanterns photo submitted by Valerie Weaver
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