It’s a Merry Christmas!
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
God, for my Christmas present this year I wish for peace on earth.
I pray that there will be no more killing and fighting in Ukraine, that the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians ends. I pray that the shootings on the streets of Seattle end and that we can feel safe in our neighborhoods, parks, shopping malls, places of worship. Dear Lord, may we all have peace in our hearts.
In fact, Lord, I will remember to sing and rejoice for your coming and feel the rays of sunshine. I will smile with the silly little kids, laugh when the weather changed and the nagging wife said to her complaining shivering husband, “I told you: you should have brought your jacket.” Then turning to her friend, “I told him he should have brought his jacket.” (Haha, sounds like me).
I will look for the funny things that make me laugh. I will be thankful for the simple and extraordinary blessings all around me. Father, I thank you for life. I thank you for Jesus. Yes, it’s a Merry Christmas! “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6 ESV
Anne-Arakaki Lock serves on Blaine Memorial UMC’s Congregational Care team.
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