WHAT IF?

What if the world still waited?
What if love had never come?
What if God had never given
His grace to everyone?
What if darkness still lay buried
in each heart and soul on earth?
What if revenge was still the answer
for each and every hurt?
What if forgiveness never happened?
What if hope was still forlorn?
What if angels never sang?
What if “the song” was never born?
What if no salvation offered?
What if no new life had come?
What if our songs were silenced,
not a note from anyone?
What if Jesus never walked?
What if He never healed?
What if Jesus never taught
or in his heart we’re sealed?
If we kill the Christmas spirit
by grabbing each gift adorned
and forget the Christ Child’s coming
our “what ifs” would be reborn.
What if our eyes were opened?
What if our gifts lay at his feet?
What if Christmas lived within us,
then his coming would be complete.
(Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp)

Let us pray:
“Oh Holy God, father of our Lord and savior Jesus, the Christ Child, your name is sacred to our ears. May your plan for us make its home in our lives this very day so that your son did not come to a dead and dying people. Dear Lord, our hearts burn bright with the light of your new promise that came to earth embodied in the form of a precious baby. The lights of Christmas remind us of that light that came into the world on the day of Christ’s birth, lighting our lives with hope and joy and peace. Presents tell us of the ultimate gift of your son, as well as the gold, frankincense and myrrh from the wise men. The carols and music of Christmas are melodious reminders to us of the host of angels that filled the darkened, night sky with music, good tiding of great joy, and promise. These are the symbols of Christmas that all lead back to you, for without your son, there would be no celebration. We thank you with every fiber within us. Every beat of our heart drums out a song of thanksgiving for all you have done for us, every prayer answered, every tear dried, every ill made well again. Jesus brought healing into the world, healing of mind, body, and soul, and for this we cannot find words to thank you. Just know our hearts overflow with gratitude, awe, and love. We are all still hurting in some way. Heal each one of us, and those we love, in our own need, with your very own hand, oh God. How amazing is your grace and love to us! Forgive us when we see a new sweater when we open our gifts and not the gift of warmth and love; when we see an MP3 Player and not the gift of song; or a leather bound book and not the gift of your Word beyond the wrappings. May our eyes be opened and our hearts prepared for the gift of your Christ Child this Christmas. In the name of, and by the healing power of your son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp”
“God gives us many stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”