Although I wrote this prayer just last year, I hope you’ll agree
it deserves a repeat appearance. Here’s a 1950’s Christmas
photo of downtown Danvers, Massachusetts where I grew up.
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Around this time of year, Lord, some 65 years ago,
my sister and I, on a cold December night,
would walk ’round Danvers Square and,
with the fortune of a few dollars in our pockets,
do all our Christmas shopping
for our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles…
These gifts I remember:
hairnets and pipe cleaners,
costume jewelry and fancy hankies,
bobby pins and a box of Salada tea bags:
treasures we bought and carefully wrapped
in white, sparkled tissue paper
with curling ribbon and To and From tags…
Small, simple gifts
from innocent hearts delighted to give,
to share with those whose love was our world…
Small, simple gifts, Lord, wrapped with joy,
tucked ‘neath the tree ’til Christmas eve
and the time to give and receive…
It was all so simple
and all from the heart, Lord…
Help me find again a child’s pure joy,
the joy of giving simple gifts
to those whose love is now my world;
and open my heart to those in the world
who need a share of the gifts I have
in generous abundance…
My parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles
– and so many more, both family and friends –
have now gone home
to open the gift all hearts desire:
your healing love and your lasting peace
with joy, in your arms, forever…
Open wide my heart, as they did, Lord,
to your word, your love and your mercy:
help me freely give, as a child does,
simple gifts from a simple heart…
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Tonight’s song is Christmas Memories by Alabama:
not a hymn in the classic sense
unless you believe (as I do)
that everything sung from the heart
is heard as a hymn by God…
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| Photo by RMH |
