Restore the joy of Christmas to my heart

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

In my search for prayers I came across this quote from Fr. Andrew Greeley:

It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson of the Incarnation, of the enfleshing of God—the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas just as the early Christians baptized the Christmas tree. And we do this by being holy people—kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people—no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush…

 (Woman's Day, 12-22-81)

We, as Christians, are called to be IN the world, but not OF the world.  Insulated but not isolated.  "It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas".  A challenging mission, but not exactly Mission Impossible (can you hear the theme music playing in the background?). 

So rather than trying to run away from the busy-ness and stress of the season, let's re-focus on the baby in the manger, and on those around us who need to be ministered to at this time.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Please forgive me for being so grumpy as I trudge through the never-ending tasks set before me this holiday season. 

My to-do list seems to keep growing with shopping, church services, and family gatherings and I'm running short of time! 

Restore the joy of Christmas to my heart and help me to relax each day and make time for YOU — my one true Source of Joy.

(http://www.suite101.com/content/christian-prayers-and-blessings-for-christmas-a304969#ixzz18HKnIelq)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Halfway through Advent - have I missed it?

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I wonder how many of you will connect with this prayer as strongly as I did.  

As much as I try to make this Advent a special time of reflection and prayer, life keeps getting in the way. I get frustrated at work, and cranky at home.  Just ask my family.  On second thought, please don't.  

The amazing grace of God though means that, like the prodigal son, all I must do is turn back to Him and He is waiting with a robe and a ring.  He will pick me up, dust me off, and set me back on that narrow path with the correct compass setting.  I feel greatly refreshed this morning, and I pray this will bless you in the same way.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace to you today,

Bruce

Dear Jesus,

It's halfway through Advent and I'm not sure what happened. I really wanted to make this a reflective and calm season, preparing for your birth and pondering how you came into this world in such a stunningly humble way. But it's so busy and I'm distracted and sometimes even short-tempered with those I love the most. Where are you in THAT?

I am discouraged and wish I could start over. But as I sit here in the rare moment of silence, I contemplate your birth. In a bed of straw, with the smell of manure everywhere. It's a mess in that stable ... and come to think of it, my life is a little messy, too. I suddenly see that it is not just into the mess of the stable but into my mess that you enter the world. You came into a humble place and that humility is often where I live my life - feeling guilty or distracted and wishing I were a better person. But if I stop thinking of myself and focus on you, I realize that there you are, waiting to love me, even though I have so many unfulfilled good intentions about prayer, so many desires of how to change this fleeting Advent season.

I can begin Advent today and make this season deeper by making room in my heart for you. I can take just a moment before I get out of bed in the morning and feel the empty place in my life I so often fill with my busy-ness. It is there I need you the most. Come, Lord Jesus. Come into that dark and lonely spot in my heart. You know what my needs are more than I do. Let me feel your love. If I only carry that thought with me each day, it will prepare me for Christmas.

Thank you, Jesus. It's not too late. You are waiting to enter my life today, where ever I let you in. Help me to open my heart in these remaining days.

(http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/advent-prayers.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

"Christmas Projects"

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

This message comes from Charles Swindolls "Insight for Living" for today:

December 14, 2010

Christmas All Year

by Charles R. Swindoll

Matthew 1-2

Have you ever thought about giving something away every day of the year leading up to Christmas? These daily gifts could be called our "Christmas projects," one per day, every day till Christmas. Just think of the fun of being able to say "Merry Christmas" in July!

Here are a few suggestions:

Mend a quarrel. 

Seek out a forgotten friend. 

Write a long overdue love note. 

Hug someone tightly and whisper, "I love you so." 

Forgive an enemy. 

Be gentle and patient with an angry person. 

Gladden the heart of a child. 

Find the time to keep a promise. 

Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously. 

Release a grudge. 

Listen. 

Speak kindly to a stranger. 

Enter into another's sorrow. 

Smile. 

Laugh a little. 

Laugh a little more. 

Take a walk with a friend. 

Lessen your demands on others. 

Play some beautiful music during the evening meal. 

Apologize if you were wrong. 

Turn off the television and talk. 

Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine). 

Do the dishes for the family. 

Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt. 

Fix breakfast on Saturday morning. 

Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. 

Encourage an older person. 

Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near. 

Offer to babysit for a weary mother.

Let's make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy.

This is Christianity, isn't it?

When you give yourself, the gift never has to be returned. 

Do you have some "Christmas projects" you could begin today?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, 

that we may share in the song of the angels, 

the gladness of the shepherds, 

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. 

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. 

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, 

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, 

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, 

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.   

Amen.

Robert Louis Stevenson

(http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/christmas.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Angels who couldn't contain themselves

Good Monday morning, my friends.

I love the image this prayer paints of the angels who "couldn't contain themselves" and so "broke into the quiet night-watch of a group of humble shepherds".  May you not be able to contain yourself this Christmas season.

(And if you are a closet "Toto" fan from the '80s, and even if you are not, you should enjoy this great Christmas video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Heavenly Father, during Advent, may we remember the greatest gift ever given: Your only Son, Jesus Christ. Fill our hearts with joy day by day as we think of our Savior putting aside His heavenly glory and coming among us. 

As a newborn, only a stable roof sheltered Him and ordinary, impoverished parents cared for Him. Your angels couldn't contain themselves, but broke into the quiet night-watch of a group of humble shepherds. The heavenly messengers proclaimed the glorious news of the Savior who would pay the price for our sins, the sign of Your goodwill to all men, and Your desire for peace on earth. 

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, grow our understanding and wonder of His birth. By Christmas day, may our hearts overflow with rejoicing and thanksgiving. Let our gratitude overflow to each person we meet by demonstrating the peace and goodwill in our hearts -- not just at this joyful season but all the year round. 

Thank you for sending Your only son to earth for a specific purpose – to provide eternal life to all who accept Him. 

(http://www.allaboutprayer.org/advent-prayer-faq.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence

Good Friday morning, my friends.

This is an absolutely beautiful prayer by Henri Nouwen, a Dutch-born Catholic priest and writer (1932-1996).

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence

Indeed.  Enjoy this pause in your busy day.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"

Amen.

(http://www.cin.org/liter/advnouw.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

The supreme trick of Old Scratch

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

Consider this today:

   "Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ's birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.

   "An old abbot was fond of saying, 'The devil is always the most active on the highest feast days.'

   "The supreme trick of Old Scratch is to have us so busy decorating, preparing food, practicing music and cleaning in preparation for the feast of Christmas that we actually miss the coming of Christ. Hurt feelings, anger, impatience, injured egos—the list of clouds that busyness creates to blind us to the birth can be long, but it is familiar to us all."

(Edward Hays, A Pilgrim's Almanac, p. 196)

Hurt feelings, anger, impatience, injured egos.  How many of those seem familiar in the days leading up to Christmas?  "Old Scratch" is up to his old tricks.  Don't let him succeed this year.

Grace and Peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Dear Lord, I am tired. 

I sit here surrounded by ribbons and paper, gifts and tags 

and I struggle to feel the spirit of giving.  

I can barely remember which gift is for whom 

and at moments it all seems so far from your birth.  

Help me to take this moment to think of the many gifts you have given to me, 

the many ways your grace has blessed my life.  

Help me to remember that each gift is a tiny mirror of the generosity I see so clearly in your life 

and of the many ways you shower me with such lavish and undeserved love.  

Let me sit here for just a moment and feel that joy in my heart.  

Thank you.  Thank you.

(http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/advent-prayers.html)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Virus warning ...

Good Wednesday morning my friends.

Is your system infected with the ADVENT VIRUS?

WARNING……WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

Please send this warning out to all your friends. This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours this Advent season,

Bruce

God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. 

Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, 

so that we may share His wisdom and become one with Him when He comes in glory, 

for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

(http://www.medjugorjelive.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18675)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Increase our longing for Christ

Good Tuesday afternoon, my friends.

This prayer is the longing of my heart this Advent season.  May it also be yours.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love 

and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. 

Increase our longing for Christ our Savior 

and give us the strength to grow in love, 

that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence 

and welcoming the light of his truth. 

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

(http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=353)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Are you excited?

Good Monday morning, my friends.

It is easy to be excited at Christmas time - all of the shopping, gift wrapping, get togethers, baking, etc. can provide reasons for excitement but is this what we should be excited about?

Are you "excited" about the birth of a baby, born to a teenage mother, in a stable, who is our Savior?  (God sure does have a strange way of doing things!)

If (like me) you do not have this excitement building in you, because of busyness, disinterest, stress, pain, or any other of a myriad of reasons, then lift this prayer.  Ask for excitement for the the "right" reasons.

Amazing grace and eternal peace be yours,

Bruce

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son. 

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.

(http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=350)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Journey with me ...

Good Friday morning, my friends.

I want to invite you to go on a journey with me.  This journey actually began with the prayer I sent yesterday with the words of John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2).  As we speed through the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, I want to provide you with a prayer each day that will give you time to pause and reflect on how we should really be celebrating this season.  Join me.

Today we start with the stress and busyness of the pre-Christmas period.  No doubt we will touch on this a few times!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

I sit here with my list, Lord, and I know I need help finding a balance. 

I am so looking forward to Christmas Day, with the family here, the company, the wonderful celebration. 

But, Lord, there is SO much to do!  

When will it all get done?  

How will I maintain any semblance of inner peace in this "peaceful" season?

I think, Lord, that I need some balance in my life. 

I feel so torn between wanting to cook and fill my house with wonderful welcoming smells, and wanting to finish decorating the house. 

I have shopping to do, the house to clean and cards to write and mail.  

When?  

How?

Help me, guide me, Lord. 

Help me to set priorities around doing those things that will bring me closer to you. 

Maybe my house really is clean enough, or maybe I can ask my family for help. 

Can the cards wait until a quiet afternoon after Christmas?  

Can my house decorations be simpler?  

Is there more than a little ego involved when I want so desperately to have my house "magazine perfect" for the holidays?

Help me rediscover the joy of simplicity, Lord. 

Help me to remember what I am celebrating. 

Help me to find it in my heart to call out, "Come, Lord Jesus."

(http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/advent-prayers.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

This past Sunday marked the first week of Advent - the season where we prepare to celebrate the coming of the baby Jesus on Christmas.  Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, his cousin John the Baptist prepared the way for Him by calling telling the people "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2).  Let us begin our preparation this year by heeding John's words.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan

you sent a messenger to prepare people's hearts

for the coming of your Son.

Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins,

so that I may clearly see the way to walk,

the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him,

our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen

(http://www.churchyear.net/adventprayers.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Let me learn by paradox

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

This is a beautiful prayer from a collection of Puritan Prayers. Let the beauty of the words and the submission contained therein bring you to a place of peace today.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours,

Bruce

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. 

Let me learn by paradox 

that the way down is the way up, 

that to be low is to be high, 

that the broken heart is the healed heart, 

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, 

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, 

that to have nothing is to possess all, 

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, 

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision. 

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; 

let me find 

Thy light in my darkness, 

Thy life in my death, 

Thy joy in my sorrow, 

Thy grace in my sin, 

Thy riches in my poverty, 

Thy glory in my valley.

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

(http://www.spurgeongems.org/prayers.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.