CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Borman, Apollo 8 space mission, 1968 "Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in the world in spite of human failure. Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness. Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts. And show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace." Christmas Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soundings, Vol. 2, # 12 "May the forgiving spirit of Him to whom we dedicate this season prevail again on earth. May hunger disappear and terrorists cease their senseless acts. May people live in freedom, worshiping as they see fit, loving others. May the sanctity of the home be ever preserved. May peace, everlasting peace, reign supreme." A Christmas Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Louis Stevenson "We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the work, the health, the food and bright skies which make our lives delightful for our friends in all parts of the earth." Christmas Prayer . . . . . . . . LIVING FAITH, Vol. 4, # 3 "Meister Eckhart once said: ‘What good is it that Christ was born 2,000 years ago if he is not born now in your heart?’ "Lord, we do far too much celebrating your actual coming in our hearts. I believe in God, but do I believe in God-in-me? I believe in God in heaven, but do I believe in God-on-earth? I believe in God out there, but do I believe in God-with-us? "Lord, be born in my heart. Come alive in me this Christmas! Amen." The Joy You Give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Greenleaf Whittier "Somehow, not only for Christmas But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing Returns to you glad." Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Cullen Bryant "O Father may that Holy Star Grow every year more bright, And send its glorious beams afar To fill the world with light." Christmas Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous "It’s sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts; It’s not wrapping presents, its being present and wrapping your arms around the ones you love; It’s not getting Christmas cards out on time, It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time; It’s not having the biggest and best Christmas light display, It’s displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart; It’s not Santa coming down the chimney, It’s Jesus coming down from heaven, and giving us the gift of eternal life."