It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children
(written by Max Lucado in response to the shootings)
karen gerstenberger
December 18, 2012 at 4:37 pmThank you, Amy.
Roxie700
December 17, 2012 at 1:31 amOur church said a special prayer for these victims this morning. My heart breaks for the families. Even in this heart breaking time, our Lord is there. I can not begin to understand such evil, but I know our precious Lord will take care of those babies and their teachers.
This is just a chilling thing for a parent/grandparent to think about.
Anonymous
December 16, 2012 at 8:59 pmAmy, I read your blog quite often and as a Christian I am truly inspired by it. I love this by Max Lucado…he writes so eloquently how I feel but can’t put into words. Thanks so much for posting!
Autumn Jones
December 16, 2012 at 4:19 amIt helps to read things that can bring hope and faith to such a time of tragedy, especially when so much of what we see online right now (in the news especially) is so full of darkness and despair. Thanks so much for sharing, Amy. I needed that. 🙂
Laurie
December 16, 2012 at 1:56 amLove this – I keep thinking of this verse from Matthew 2:18 – “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Innocent ones killed then and now. A nation crying for children then and now. How much we need our Savior and his light.