Good morning, good God!
Not too many shopping days left ‘til your birthday, Lord…
Gotta start thinking about what to get
« for the God who has everything. »
So, what can I give you?
What could you possibly want from me?
I know, I know!
are those things I hang on to, cling to,
the things I don’t, I won’t let go of:
the things, people and situations
that get in the way
(or at least try to offer you)
the things I know I need to let go…
Help me let go the ways
I keep myself from your love for me,
the ways I run from the truth
that you love me with no strings attached…
help me see how wonderful and unique
is the person you made me to be,
and help me believe you take delight in me…
Lord, help me let go my envy
and all the ways I focus on what others have
and all the times I forget how much you’ve given me…
Keep me from jealous thoughts
and open my eyes to the treasures
I have at my fingertips,
especially the treasure of your love
and that of family and friends…
I offer you my tendency
to take myself too seriously:
give me a healthy sense of humor, Lord,
and help me laugh at myself
when I need to…
Help me out of my moody sulking, Lord;
when I banish myself to lonely places,
draw me out of myself, into your arms
and into the arms of others…
of people and relationships
that just aren’t helpful or healthy for me:
help me let go of folks who hold me back
my graced intuitions,
when I mistrust my own judgment:
give me courage to speak and to act
on the truth I know and carry within…
I offer you the best of who I am,
the person you created me to be,
the unique individual you knew and loved
even before you knit me in my mother’s womb…
I offer you the unknown, untried, unused portions
of my heart, my soul, my mind, my imagination:
make of me the person you intended, Lord,
and use my life to touch others
as others’ lives touch mine…
or that what I have to offer isn’t good enough:
let the light of your advent shine on me
and on every gift you’ve given me, large and small
– and especially the gift of your love…
I offer you anything and everything
that keeps me from knowing
how much you love me, Lord
and how precious I am in your eyes…
And, Lord – help me to find in others
the goodness I know you see in them…
Such are the gifts I can offer you this Christmas, Lord:
be patient with me
even if it takes me a whole new year
to truly hand them over to you…
I know that you have everything, Lord
and there’s nothing you really need from me:
accept my little offerings, my gifts
and my gratitude
that everything you’ve made and cherish
includes me, my soul, my heart and my life…
Amen.
