"Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord."
For many people, the holiday season is hard to bear. Memories of past losses, frustration over current pain, the burden of frenetic activity without rest -- in so many ways we are hard pressed. The psalmist says, "I grow weary because of my groaning; / every night I drench my bed / and flood my couch with tears." What should be a season of joy (and the word "should" captures our angst precisely) is for many a siege to endure.
"Defend us," we pray. Fence us around with "sure trust" in God's goodness, even when we are beset by tinny Christmas carols and pressure to be perfect. Help us to trust, when the blizzard of "special offers" and "one day only" sales erodes our belief in plain dealing. Free us from fear, whether we are afraid to disappoint, or afraid to ask for a break, or afraid to cry when everyone around us is acting happy.
"Your way is not to be the world's way," Scripture says in another place. And Paul reminds his new charges how he acted with them -- "we were gentle among you, like a nurse caring for her own children."
The might of Jesus Christ our Lord -- the strength in which we pray to God at all -- is not like the world's might. The power that he brings into the world is solace, rest, peace, courage. His power derives from his own gift of himself, which upsets every other measure of power that we know. The wicked tenants in Luke's parable cannot win over the son, even though they take his life, because the Son has already won and has already given it away. Like Paul, he has determined to share with us not only the gospel of God but also his very own self, because we have become very dear to him.
We are dear to God. We are very dear to our Lord. He has determined to share with us his very own self. May that quiet confidence sustain us. May that strong tower defend us. May that Love enfold us.
12.01.2009
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1 comment:
What wonderful images of being enfolded in the trustworthy strenght of God during this frenetic season. And excellent point about this being a difficult time for many people. Are you familiar with the Blue Christmas movement which relfects on losses that people have had at this time of year? I was part of such a liturgy last year. I also love the sarum blue of your blog! We are blessed to have such a prayerful and studious deacon as you, Rodger.
God's Peace,
Liz
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