Posted on 12/16/2013 10:18:07 AM PST by Faith
The world wants us to forget about the Christ in Christmas. It wants us to remove the nativity scenes, the beautiful carols, and the true meaning of the celebration. And it wants us to become entangled in all the busyness that keeps us from focusing on the true reason for the celebration. But we are not of this world. We are of You, Lord God. Help us to not yield to the pressures to forget You. Help us to not conform, but to renew our minds in You and in Your Word. Give us the strength and the desire to overcome evil with good.
Grant peace to our military men and women. Many will be apart from their families over Christmas, Father, and they need a special reminder of Your love for them. Send people to share the love of Christ with them no matter where they are.
Father, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and set ourselves as watchmen on the walls. Hasten the day of our Saviors return, that the true and lasting peace You have for us may begin. O come, O come, Emmanuel. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Please join us in prayer.
Please join us in prayer.
Amen.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasnt loud, and it wasnt too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didnt quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
What are you doing? I asked without fear, Come in this moment, its freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve! For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fires light. Then he sighed and he said Its really all right, Im out here by choice. Im here every night. Its my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, Im proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December, Then he sighed, Thats a Christmas Gram always remembers. My dad stood his watch in the jungles of Nam, And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
Ive not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, hes sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside, he said, harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and Ill be all right. But isnt there something I can do, at the least, Give you money, I asked, or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that youve done, For being away from your wife and your son.
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while were gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
Amen.
Amen.
Praying with you Faith, thank you, and AMEN <3
I’m fortunate in that my soldier comes home on Friday for Christmas leave. Prayers are offered for all our heroes who either can’t make it home for Christmas or who gave all that we might live in peace.
Blessings to all.
Thank you, Faith. Absolute AMEN.
Adding my prayer for our Heroes and our beloved Nation.
Blessings, etabeta
Amen.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas celebration. I’m so happy for you. Please give your soldier my sincerest thanks.
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I join in prayer for our heroes and nation!
Amen, Faith
May the hearts of many be softened this season and opened to receive the Saviour.
Amen to your Beautiful, Anointed Prayer, Dear Servant of Jesus Christ.
Standing with you in 100% Agreement.
(((((Have a Most Blessed Christmas)))))
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