Old men and old women

shall again

sit in the streets

         of Jerusalem,

each with staff in hand

because of great age.

And the streets of the city

shall be full of

boys and girls

playing in its streets.

            Zechariah 8. 4-5

(This is a compelling picture of

God's redeeming

      and restoration.

It is what faithfulness does

and what restoration

                   looks like,

laughter,

peace,

love,

grace

for the most vulnerable.

In the midst of our

      greatly broken world,

we cry, "O God, do something!"

And He replies,

"That's why I put you there.")

O LORD,

Help us to realize

that even our dismay

over this broken world

is your call for faithfulness

and compassion

and Your love

   echoing in our hearts.

Fill us

that Your love

    would spill over

into the restoration

           of this world

and work in the redeeming

     of lives around us.

You have gifted

        each one of us

to bring Your name

and Your glory

wherever You place us.

Even today.

You offer us windows,

doors,

cracks,

and empty places

to be a blessing to others

      and to bless You,

to love others

     and to love You.

Help us to know how

  to respond to Your leading.

Thank You this Christmas

for sending Your Son

that we would know

how beloved we are

             by You.