Psalm 130 – Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, or Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
As a writer, I love words. However, words don’t always come in our difficult moments. Often, it is then that lyrics to my favorite hymns come to mind. Sometimes my prayers are tears, and other times, they are silent, sitting in God’s presence. I know God knows my heart, even if words fail to come.
Whatever is happening in your life right now, know that God is with you. This season of Advent is to remind us that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. Whatever you need: comfort, joy, love, forgiveness, acceptance – God is offering it to you this night.
In the northern hemisphere, today is the Winter Solstice. It is the longest night of the year. Maybe you won’t even see the sun where you live.
This time of year invites us to hunker down. It is normal to be tired early when it gets dark early. Starting tomorrow, days will get longer again. Light prevails.
Isaiah 9:2 – The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.
Listen to “The Longest Night” by Peter Mayer and this one by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
I invite you to pray the Lord’s prayer, in whatever way your heart knows best. Here is how my heart prays it:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Redheadedrev 