December 2010

“My soul yearns for you in the night.” (Isaiah 26:9)

Friday, December 31, 2010
O Lord, why are the nights hardest? I lay in bed, stare at the dark ceiling, and fret over that which I have done and left undone in the course of the day. I worry not only about me, but even more about those I love. And my mind finds no limit in its capacity to imagine the most disastrous of consequences. …

“…one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21)

Monday, December 27, 2010
Well, Lord Jesus, this seems odd. It is only a couple of days after Christmas, and the lectionary has abruptly left the nativity stories to depict your prophecy that one of your disciples would betray you. Really? Judas? Two days after Christmas? I’m sure someone had a reason for this theological non sequitur. …

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son … .” (John 3:16)

Saturday, December 18, 2010
Gracious God, we are only days away from the Nativity. The quiet miracle of your incarnation is so holy, so critical to our redemption, and so dear to our anxious hearts. Soon communities of faith around the world will huddle together on Christmas to light a candle as a testimony to our great belief that your light has entered the darkness – which cannot overcome your light. You gave yourself to us. …

“The one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:36)

Saturday, December 11, 2010
So here we are a couple of weeks away from Christmas, and the reading today quotes you telling us to sell our clothes and buy a sword. It doesn’t exactly sound like “Peace on Earth.” You are the guy who told us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek when we are struck. So what’s with the call to buy a sword? …

“Do not quench the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:19)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Okay, Lord. This one worries me. The Spirit’s work in my life is the best part of me, and certainly the only thing holy. According to the theologians, it is the Spirit who binds me to Christ, making me also your beloved. And the Spirit is the fire that manages still to enflame my heart with a passion for things that make a difference. …

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