Devotional for December 21

 

Generous and gracious God,

we look to you for compassion

and thank you for your presence this night. 

Overwhelmed by our burdens we easily forget

that you never leave us alone

and that your steadfast love for us never falters. 

By coming together we find assurance and comfort

that we do not suffer this longest night alone. 

You have given us strength to live through this night. 

Turn us to reach out to those whose night is also long. 

Grant that we may be your healing presence in their lives

by bringing them your compassion and comfort

that will assure them that they do not suffer alone.  Amen.

 

— written by Quentin Chin, in Our Longest Night: A      Service of Hope at Christmas Time. Posted on the United Church of Christ website. 

~ ~ ~

 

 “Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart’s possessing returns to you glad.”

— John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)