Forgive us, Lord,
our domestication
of your incarnation…
Forgive us our buying and buying
and buying yet more
when you call us to spend ourselves,
with generous love,
serving those
who have nothing to spend…
Forgive us for wasting
our time, energy and money,
on foolish things that no one needs
our time, energy and money,
on foolish things that no one needs
while real needs go unmet…
Forgive us for singing carols of peace
while refusing to forgive and to reconcile
with family, old friends and neighbors…
Forgive us our over-the-top largesse
in giving to those who have more than they need
while dropping spare change, not much more,
in the Salvation Army kettle…
Forgive us for finding and making the time
for shopping, baking and parties
but being too busy for time with you
in our hearts, in the quiet,
in prayer…
Forgive us our painstaking detail, Lord
in stringing up lights and wrapping our gifts
while paying too little attention
to resources wasted and energy spent…
Forgive us for eating and drinking too much
and for throwing away what’s left over
when so many hunger and so many thirst
for food, for clean water, for life…
Forgive us for teaching our children
of Santa’s sleigh and the elf on the shelf
before sharing the real Christmas story
of Mary and Joseph and Bethlehem’s star
– and Jesus, whose birthday this is…
Be patient, deliver and save us
from the mistletoe, toys and tinsel
and forgive us, we pray, for all of the ways
we forget Lord – you’re the reason –
for this season of mercy and joy…
Forgive our domestication
of your holy, divine incarnation
and teach us to love, teach us to give
as you gave your life to serve us all
with the love of the One who sent you…
Amen.
