Filed under: Prayer
One of my favorite Christmas carols is a poem written by Christina Rossetti and set to music by Gustav Holst, In the Bleak Mid-winter. Rossetti beautifully writes of the Incarnation and comings of Christ, and then ponders what she can offer to God in joyful thanksgiving for God’s gift of Jesus Christ.
The Eastern Church has a hymn that similarly speaks of what God has given us in Jesus Christ, and what we are called to offer to God in return:
What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, Who for our sakes hast appeared on earth as man?
Every creature made by Thee offers Thee thanks.
The angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens a star; the Magi, gifts;
the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger:
and we offer Thee a Virgin Mother. O God Who wast before the ages, have mercy upon us!
As the feast of Christmas draws to a close, and we approach Epiphanytide, spend some time with God reflecting on the gifts that God has given you: name them aloud or write them down, and offer thanks for them. Then, think about one thing that you can offer to God in this New Year. Perhaps you can commit yourself to daily prayer and/or Bible reading. Maybe you can volunteer one hour a week at your child’s school, or at the churc, or at Micah, or in some other way? Maybe you can serve in some way at Trinity? Perhaps you can resolve to exercise daily and eat healthfully. Maybe you can try to buy more local produce or lower your carbon footprint in otherways. Name your gift to God, write it down where you can look at it often- and ask for the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit to live into the gift that you are giving to God.
What shall we off thee, O Christ? We offer thee….
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