Today.
Today 20 children were murdered in their classroom somewhere in Connecticut.
Today we were reminded that evil is not finished.
Today I find myself afraid that my God is useless, that my God is powerless and distinterested in five-year-olds.
Today I can make no excuses. I can make up no theology that allows for this, that explains why God can be God while broken young men murder children.
Today I crumble under the weight of the fear this world demands and wonder if I can ever allow myself to be carried by the hope my God offers again.
Today is dark. So, so dark.
Luke 2: 6 - 7
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and
placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
5 comments:
I so agree. "The Lord Jesus will overthrow [evil] with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the splendor of His coming" (2 Thess 2:8)
I force myself to cling to that.
And this was also helpful:
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bed511e434184985961d50fcb&id=223827d6b6
Love!
Here's the full Prayer:
A Christmas Prayer
Dear Jesus,
It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children
© 2012 Max Lucado
O my soul. Thank you for this Sarah. For the words and more, the faith. This is why we believe in a group, isn't it? So that we can be carried on the wings of another's faith when ours fails? So thankful to be in your group. And in Max's. I'm off to find my Max Lucado Christmas CD: "Love Came Near". I will soak up some Truth and trust it arrives as a balm.
This exchange between you and Sarah is the most beautiful thing I have read this Advent.
Both the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness in your blog. The news that a baby was born as a dutiful ad on. Just hanging there at the bottom.
And then Sarah's reminder that He came. He came as a sweet baby into our dark world. Oh HOPE, thank you for finding a way.
My heart is focused on the miracle of that Silent Night so many years ago.
Crawfords, I am equally grateful that you are in our circle too. Thank you for adding to the beauty of this conversation - it warms me to have you so close.
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