Weekend Warriors

[Tina]

A Christmas Prayer for those who have suffered the recent death of a loved one

God of compassion, there is such a hole our hearts! Christmas should be a day of joy, but we feel only emptiness and loss. While the world celebrates around us, remember Christmas celebrations of the past. In our blind tears we wonder if anyone can possibly understand the depth of our sadness.

We know, you can. You sent your son to be with us in our deepest sorrows and we know that even though we might not feel it now, you are here with us, grieving with us, caring for us in our sadness. Dearest lord, help us to turn to the one we miss so much this holiday and speak. Help us heal the loss of our parting and help us not to regret the things we didn't say. Sorrow tears in hearts, but this Christmas we ask that our loss softens our hearts and make us more compassionate with everyone we meet, so that our loss may become a gift to others.

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Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson