A prayer for those who may be grieving this Christmas…

 

Dear God,

There’s an empty chair near the tree, an ache in our hearts and tears on our faces…

We may try to shield one another from the grief we bear but we cannot hide it from you…

We pray for (names) whose presence we miss so much in these days of peace and joy…

Open our hearts and minds to the healing, the warmth, the light of your presence…

We pray, Lord, and we trust that those we miss have found the place you prepared for them, their home, within your heart…

Open our hearts, Lord, to joyful memories of the love we shared with those who’ve gone before us…

Help us tell the stories that make the past present and bring us close again to those we miss…

Teach us to lean on you, Lord, and on each other, for the strength we need to walk through these difficult days…

Be with us as we sing and cry our way through Christmas cards and carols; help us find and open the present you bring: the gift of your peace in the birth of the child Jesus…

And give us quiet moments with you, Lord, and with our thoughts, our memories and our prayers…

Be with us, Lord, and hold us in your arms even as you now hold those who’ve gone before us…

Help us trust that one day we’ll be with those we love when your mercy gathers us together in the joy of your kingdom, in the life you’ve promised us….

This is the Christmas you have made, the only one we’ll have this year: help us to rejoice in it, Lord, and in the blessings of your peace…

Amen.

May comfort and solace–and the presence of the Christ child–be with you.