A Parent's Advent Prayer - By Arianne Braithwaite Lehn

Pastor Amy shares this meaningful prayer reminding us to pause and reflect on the meaning of this season during this hectic last week of Advent.

Dear God,

I now stop what I'm doing,

what I'm thinking,

what I'm scrambling to plan

and hustling to finish

so that I can

be here.

Be here in the safety and warmth of your love.

This love that holds me fast and keeps me centered.

What I want to be a season of joy for my children

so quickly becomes a season of

increased expectations for me-

not because they expect things,

but because I do.

It's the pressure I put on myself to

make things perfect,

and memorable,

and happy,

and "special."

But, you came to me amidst darkness and stars-

reminding me how darkness and light

are most beautiful together.

And, in that holy, mysterious and messy night,

you redefined perfection,

promising me that leaning into the mystery

and laying down in loving awe

compose the most faithful response.

You tell me the best gift I can give

my children this Christmas is

to look with love into their eyes.

To pause throughout the day

to pray over them.

To envelop them with arms

of fierce grace when I feel

most angry or annoyed.

To sit in wonder for a moment (or many)

and marvel at all that shaped

our family this year.

To give thanks

and allow tears to fall

and dreams to rise.

To take my pilgrim band

by their hands and walk together,

deep into the heart of Bethlehem

shining bright within our souls.

This will be more than enough,

because you've made a manger

in which my heart will rest and find

your heartbeat becoming mine.

Amen.

Luke 2:15b

"Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."