From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16
Lord Jesus, the affirmation of “grace upon grace” is always precious to us and needed; even more so in December 2020. Every Christmas season carries a certain amount of drama, but a pandemic-shaped holiday presents new challenges. Being together isn’t going to be as easy this year.
We dream of the last scene in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”—a beautiful story of family healing and community reconciliation. Some of us would even settle for a visit from “Cousin Eddie,” and the craziness of “Christmas Vacation.” But Charlie Brown’s beleaguered Christmas tree is an apt metaphor for what many of us are feeling—smallness, brokenness, and loneliness.
Because the Gospel is true, we don’t have to pretend; and because the Gospel is beautiful, we can risk hope. Jesus, we look to you for copious grace, multiplied mercies, and redemptive surprises this year. The world into which you were born was filled with madness and sadness, weariness and fearfulness, broken relationships and broken everything.
Thank you for coming to make your blessings flow (not drip), far as the curse is found. By your Spirit, shrink our pity-parties, as you throw big grace-parties in our hearts. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.