All I Wanted For Christmas

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

As a child I sang, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, my two front teeth.” But I don’t sing it anymore. I’m no longer a child, I have my two front teeth and I seek a greater desire. 

I can’t think of any gift that I rather have for Christmas than Love. Love is free, available and accessible everyday. There’s an unconditional fountain of Agape Love. The invisible Divine Light, Spirit Breath, Holy Wind, God is Love that knocks on the doors of our hearts.

The gift of love gives us hope not despair, faith not fear, and peace not turmoil. 

“Love bears ALL things, believes ALL things hopes ALL things, endured ALL things.” Love is the muscle that never gives in or gives up. Love never dies. Love is the gift that keeps giving. 

Today, I sing “All we need is LOVE. All we need is LOVE. All we need is LOVE, LOVE…LOVE is all we need.” I sing “Love Lifted Me.”

Waiting on the Lord

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9

Waiting is difficult to do these days. 

We rev up our motors hoping red lights quickly change to green.

We  deliberately press “Enter” with precision and repetition hoping our devices will respond quicker.

We turn off our ovens too soon, prematurely shut off the burner and rush to pop open a vintage bottle of wine that lacks savor.

We race up the escalator only to discover we’re going the wrong way.

We pray with rapid-firing speech while speeding pass the Divine Drive Through.

We  expect God to deliver us without ever opening the windows of our heart and hands.

Let Us Pray

Thank you God for Advent, a time to wait for the Star, God’s Light onto our path.

Thank you God for Advent, a time when we rise like freshly baked bread.

Thank you God for Advent, a time when we dare to stop to sing O Holy Night.

Thank you God for Advent, a time that prepares us to receive Jesus, the Christ.

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Advent, the bridge to Christmas where we touch that blessed hope, peace, joy and love.

My God, we thank you! Amen.

‘Tis the Season to be…

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

imageA time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,

and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Ecclesiastics 3:1-4 KJV

Reflection:

What season best describes where you are today? Why?

Let us Park and Pray at 1:11 pm

Loving God, Master of the Seasons in our lives, lands, seas and world. We call on you.

You touch us, blow on us, rain down on us and remind us you are near, here and with us.

You cover us with snow, slow our pace and draw us closer to you.

You satisfy our shivers and quivers, with your soothing blanket of sunlight.

You carry us over hills, under valleys, and through the seasons in our lives.

Today, in the midst of our bubble wrap, gift cards, tinsel and carols, we remember the story of Mary and Joseph’s search for an Inn.

We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ, and the Son of God.

Loving God, lead us to the shelter of your Holy Presence.

Guide us to your manger, a birthing place where Christ is born within us.

Bless us with renewed faith and hope.

Thank you for being a Refuge and a Shelter.

Thank you for the gift of Christ in Season and at all times.

We thank you for hearing our prayers and our praise, in Christ’s name. Amen