I let down the side for my gender but surprised my wife on Saturday. It was a gentle, warm afternoon as I hung our outside Christmas lights. Most years I wait for gale force winds and snow drifting around me to create a “real man’s” atmosphere for my artistic chore.

The lights of Christmas are a timely response to our weariness from diminishing daylight, relentless schedules and the stress and strain of daily life. Under all the noise and marketing of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a voice saying, “keep alert, keep awake” – there is more going on here than meets the eye.

Advent season began yesterday, another timely voice that God is “with us” in all the chaos of life. The voices of fear and greed are loud – the voices of forgiveness and reconciliation are quieter. Humanity, the environment, our world – all need healing. Forgiveness is the first step in the process – reconciliation is the continuing work Christ gives us to do.

A Prayer for Today

God some days all the broken stuff in life seems overwhelming. Jesus, keep me alert to opportunities to continue your work of reconciling your world, your environment, your human family to the Father’s heart. Don’t let the broken overwhelm the healing in my vision of your world….For Jesus’ sake