Saturday Vespers

 

This Saturday before Christmas, we come before our God, with hearts full of gratitude for His unfailing love and mercy. We thank Him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us, even those we may not see or acknowledge. We especially thank Him for the Gift of Jesus Christ, and the hope, peace & joy we have through Him. 

We humbly lift up those who are in need of His divine intervention and care. For those suffering from illness, to grant them healing and strength. Comfort for those who are in pain, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and to let them feel His presence by their side.

We pray for those who are facing difficult decisions or challenges. Lord, guide them with Your wisdom and grant them clarity and peace. May they find the courage to trust in Your plans and walk the path You have set before them.

We are grateful for our readers from around the world who pray for prayer requests and today we also ask for prayer from all our readers for - 

Ms. Jayasudha for protection and healing from her cancer. Also pray for her peace in Christ as she struggles with negative dreams and thoughts. 

For Diane that she does not have any scary symptoms and has assurance of it soon

For Jamie and Bob, and their health and wellbeing.

Dr. Moreland requests prayer for Prayers for a 2 year old girl named Isla, in the hospital and her family.

For all those who are feeling lost or alone this Christmas, we ask that You surround them with Your love and light. Send them companions who will support and uplift them, and may they always know that they are never truly alone with You in their hearts.

In our world filled with strife and division, we pray for peace and unity. Help us to be instruments of Your peace, showing love and understanding to all, regardless of our differences.

Lastly, we ask for Your continued blessings upon our families and friends. Keep them safe and healthy, and may our relationships be strengthened by Your grace.

The Old Woman and a Blanket

 

It was December and a cold one at that. An old woman worked in a home for cleaning and washing. One day she complained about the cold to the mistress, about how she could not sleep in the cold at night. The mistress, who was a very thoughtful and kind lady decided to get the old maid a blanket, for Christmas, to keep her warm and so she did.

Next day a beautiful woolen blanket was delivered, in beautiful Christmas colors of green, red and white.

As the maid was getting ready to leave, the mistress gave her the blanket, but instead of being pleased, the maid scornfully stated she did not want it. On being asked why, she said she didn't like it because it had a white color which would get dirty and she would have to wash it, so she would prefer one without white. The mistress got a bit upset because she had gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get the blanket delivered urgently. "Anyway," she said, "don't take it if you don't want. I can't force you. I will see how and when it can be exchanged".

The maid left leaving the blanket behind. That night was the coldest night of that season.

Thinking about this story, one wonders that how many times have we behaved like the maid? How many times we have rejected the warmth of Gods' blessings, which maybe long term, for our short-term demands? In our short sight we cannot see beyond the horizon, but God can and blesses us with His plans which are based on His vision, but we don't see it.

The only way our vision can be in sync with Gods plans is for us to trust Him completely, without reservation or ambiguity or conditions.

Christ Himself was part of Gods long term plan for each one of us. A gift to mankind. But, like the old maid, sometimes we reject the gift and the warmth of Jesus and His offer of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love for short term material gains and pleasures.

This Christmas, will we truly and earnestly and happily accept God's gift? 

A Christmas Story by Helen Steiner Rice

The Story of the Christmas Guest

by Helen Steiner Rice

It happened one day at December's end
Some neighbors called on an old-time friend.
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green.
And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine,
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine.
And he said, "My friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me.
And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be."
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shined,
And over the rafters the holly is twined.
And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear;
And listen closely so I will hear,
His steps as he nears my humble place.
And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face."
Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since his family had passed away.
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
So he listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound he would rise with a start,
And look for the Lord to be at his door,
Like the vision that he had had a few hours before.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all he could see on the snow covered ground,
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn.
And all his clothes were ragged and worn.
But old Conrad was touched, and he went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you.
And I have a coat to keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart the man went away.
But Conrad noticed the time of day
And he wondered what made the dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.
Then he heard another knock, and he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.
A bent old lady with a shawl of black,
And a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
But she asked only for a place to rest,
a place that was reserved, for Conrad's great guest.
Her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for awhile this Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
After she had left, he was filled with dismay,
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
The Lord had not come as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
When out of the stillness, he heard a cry.
"Please help me and tell me - Where am I?"
So again he opened his friendly door,
And stood disappointed as twice before.
It was a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he could make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and he wiped her tears,
And he quieted all of her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more,
And as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today,
For the hours of Christmas had all passed away.
So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray.
And He said, "Lord, why did you delay?
What kept You from coming to call on me?
I wanted so much Your face to see."
Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard.
"Lift up your head - I have kept My word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
Three times I came to your lowly door.
I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet;
I was the woman you gave something to eat;
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked, three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best.
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.