Living God, we come to you during this pre-Christmas season, just as we are, each of us with our own kinds of sadness and loss… each of us with our own strengths, our own measure of resilience. Come and visit us, God, through the words of our readings and songs and through the prayers and presence of one another. In your name we pray… amen.
First Reflection: Feel by Chicago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJn7azWR2i8
So everybody's pulling you in all directions
You don't know how much longer to take it
So you've learned how to fake it
That smile on the outside's fading fast
Like the things that you thought for sure would last
But they didn't
You know something's missing
Is it your life you're not living?
[Chorus:]
Your heart is cold, your soul is numb
You don't like who you've become
You played the game and paid the cost for long enough
So grab the reins, yeah, take the wheel
Lose what's not and keep what's real
It's not too late,
Just close your eyes and feel, feel
You can't tell if you're happy or sad
Can't tell the good from bad
It's senseless
To waste your senses
Maybe stop thinking with your head
Start using your heart instead
Just try it
You just might like it
Aren't you dying to start livin'?
[Chorus]
Every breath that's going thru you
Take each day that's given to you
To love back the ones who love you
[Chorus]
You can't tell if you're happy or sad
Can't tell the good from the bad
Feel and stop thinking with your head
Start using your heart instead
Lord Jesus, you were born into our world feeling all the same emotions we feel, suffering all the kinds of losses that we suffer. And you know how we tend to bottle up our negative stuff so we can function our way through the day. Give to us a safe place to feel now what it is that we need to feel… whether that is loneliness or fear or anger or confusion… or peace and strength and gratitude… or just a wild mix of emotions. Thank you for songs that give us permission to feel and for those who write and perform them. In your name we pray…amen.
Second Reflection: Pre-Christmas Grief a la Psalm 42
by Kari Henkelmann Keyl
As a deer leans forward, aching for water,
so am I thirsty for you, O God.
I so need to know that you haven’t dumped me.
I have to somehow see your face.
I’ve sobbed myself dry; still relief eludes me.
I ponder good times, but they feel far away.
Christmas songs in the air
leave me breathless with loss.
Deeper I sink, ‘til there’s just nothing left,
nothing but you, God, nothing but you.
I grope in the darkness, some presence is there.
I remember you once were a rock in my storms.
I’ll give trust a try; I’ll peek out of this hole,
But you, God — oh please, God —
must make a move, too.
Hum your tune as I sleep,
so I’ll wake warmed with song.
Let me feel my wounds healing,
and I’ll know you have come.
Confident once more,
I’ll have hope for tomorrow,
My whole life a prayer, to the God of my soul.
Like that thirsty deer, O God, we are leaning toward you. We need to know that you are here… that you are here for us. Refresh us with your Spirit. Energize us with your healing. Give us courage to lean further, into a hopeful future, with you by our side. In your name we pray… amen.
Third Reflection: Matthew 11:28-30
(from Eugene Petersen's The Message)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Friend Jesus, sometimes we can't handle all that weighs us down. Do as you have promised in your words. Help us to breathe freely. Give us your kind of peace… so we'll be strong enough to care for others. Amen.
First Reflection: Feel by Chicago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJn7azWR2i8
So everybody's pulling you in all directions
You don't know how much longer to take it
So you've learned how to fake it
That smile on the outside's fading fast
Like the things that you thought for sure would last
But they didn't
You know something's missing
Is it your life you're not living?
[Chorus:]
Your heart is cold, your soul is numb
You don't like who you've become
You played the game and paid the cost for long enough
So grab the reins, yeah, take the wheel
Lose what's not and keep what's real
It's not too late,
Just close your eyes and feel, feel
You can't tell if you're happy or sad
Can't tell the good from bad
It's senseless
To waste your senses
Maybe stop thinking with your head
Start using your heart instead
Just try it
You just might like it
Aren't you dying to start livin'?
[Chorus]
Every breath that's going thru you
Take each day that's given to you
To love back the ones who love you
[Chorus]
You can't tell if you're happy or sad
Can't tell the good from the bad
Feel and stop thinking with your head
Start using your heart instead
Lord Jesus, you were born into our world feeling all the same emotions we feel, suffering all the kinds of losses that we suffer. And you know how we tend to bottle up our negative stuff so we can function our way through the day. Give to us a safe place to feel now what it is that we need to feel… whether that is loneliness or fear or anger or confusion… or peace and strength and gratitude… or just a wild mix of emotions. Thank you for songs that give us permission to feel and for those who write and perform them. In your name we pray…amen.
Second Reflection: Pre-Christmas Grief a la Psalm 42
by Kari Henkelmann Keyl
As a deer leans forward, aching for water,
so am I thirsty for you, O God.
I so need to know that you haven’t dumped me.
I have to somehow see your face.
I’ve sobbed myself dry; still relief eludes me.
I ponder good times, but they feel far away.
Christmas songs in the air
leave me breathless with loss.
Deeper I sink, ‘til there’s just nothing left,
nothing but you, God, nothing but you.
I grope in the darkness, some presence is there.
I remember you once were a rock in my storms.
I’ll give trust a try; I’ll peek out of this hole,
But you, God — oh please, God —
must make a move, too.
Hum your tune as I sleep,
so I’ll wake warmed with song.
Let me feel my wounds healing,
and I’ll know you have come.
Confident once more,
I’ll have hope for tomorrow,
My whole life a prayer, to the God of my soul.
Like that thirsty deer, O God, we are leaning toward you. We need to know that you are here… that you are here for us. Refresh us with your Spirit. Energize us with your healing. Give us courage to lean further, into a hopeful future, with you by our side. In your name we pray… amen.
Third Reflection: Matthew 11:28-30
(from Eugene Petersen's The Message)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Friend Jesus, sometimes we can't handle all that weighs us down. Do as you have promised in your words. Help us to breathe freely. Give us your kind of peace… so we'll be strong enough to care for others. Amen.
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