Hope. I want to hold on tightly to hope, but some days my grip weakens; maybe I’d be better off asking You to hold on to me.
Peace. I’m longing for peace; the whole world longs for peace. But none of us seem to be willing to invest ourselves in the high cost of making peace. Oh God, war is ugly. An eye for an eye, and the whole world’s gone blind.
Joy. I’m watching for God to show up, longing to feel my heart swell with the joy of the Presence. And maybe it’s not the same thing, but today a first grader guessed that I was 44 years old, and his friend tiptoed close and quietly asked if I liked oatmeal. And I think it might have been joy that I carried in my pocket all day long.
Love. Some days I have to catch my breath in wonder at the truth of God’s love for me, for all of us, for each one, for this one. And I want to keep on taking tiny or enormous steps, following in Love’s footsteps. Step. Step. Step – along a path I’ve never seen before.
Yet that path has led me here.
Again.
To the Christ Candle.
Hope of the nations, who will not quench a smoldering wick.
Prince of Peace whose gift of peace will pass my understanding.
Joy of my heart, Source of all joy - who promises fullness of joy.
Love of God made flesh who lived and died to show me what love is.
To the One
who has come and who will come-
the light of our very dark and broken world.
We’ve never needed You more, and here You.
And here we are, needy and full of hope,
catching whiffs of joy,
desperately longing for peace,
and filled with wonder at Your love.
May our lives be our thanks as we carry Your light with us to the places where You lead us.
Help us to lean on You as we follow you home. Amen.