I hold your name close to my heart
I shelter your memory in my mind
I do believe in life everlasting
And love without end amen
As long as I live, and life lives within me
Part of you will be with me now and forever
You are as close as my next breath
And you move me with love and grace
Everywhere I look I see your face
There is evidence of you everywhere
So many things touched by your presence
And your gentle loving spirit
I wish I could put my hand in yours
And feel the warmth of your embrace
And saddened as I am right now
I rejoice in the hope that one day
I will be with you again
To spend eternity with the one we love

Behold the bloodied anguished face
In whose eyes are love and endless grace
Who alone truly knows your pain and sorrow
And still clings to hope for a better tomorrow
Leave it all behind
In the hands of the divine
Let loving arms enfold you
As prayers uplift and hold you
Allow peace and rest to enter in
As the healing soon begins

I hear the birds singing in every tree
I know they sing because they are free
But today it seems they're singing for me

What the world needs now is a little faith hope and love
A little tenderness and mercy raining down from above
What the world needs now more than ever before
Is a time to heal and a time to restore
It's a wondrous place, this world that we live in
Let go of the poisonous bitterness and be forgivin'
Carefully place your feet and, upon solid ground, stand fast
Helping each other out is the way we will last
The challenges we go through help us to grow true
Mistakes teach us as hard lessons reach us
And find us stronger and better than we were
Life is tough, but we are too; we will endure
What the world needs now is to give love a chance
To grace a stranger with a more than passing glance
To look into the face of a mortal enemy
And dare to find a place of peace and unity
Let not the sun go down on your anger and hate
There is time to turn around, it is not too late
Perfectly imperfect is what we are
Still beautiful and bright as the evening star
What the world needs now is people who still care
What the world needs now are stories to share
There is one thing the world today seems to lack
We all need to find our way back
To the place of faith, family, and grace
Don't forget where you've been and where you're from
On the way to get where you're going
Lift up your voice and add it to the song
And find that what's been missing
Has been there all along

I am more than the sum of my past mistakes
I am someone who may bend, but will not break
I am special, I am strong, I am brave, I am loved
I am fierce, I am smart, I am beautiful, and rich in love
I am stronger than I know, braver than I believe
Inside my soul, the heart of a warrior beats
I am happy, I am alive, I am built to survive
I will not simply live; I will grow, and I will thrive
I am blessed with His faith, and filled with His power
With love and support, I come through the darkest hour
I am not alone in this fight, I do not walk this path alone
With boldness and courage, I enter the unknown
I choose to count my blessings in the morning
And I give thanks to the good God at night
Bad times do not last, but joy comes in the morning
Sadness and pain will never put out this light
Make every moment count for time is so precious
I ask, Lord, for nothing else, but that you might bless us
Worry not about tomorrow, but have faith in what will be
Let go of the chains that bind you, and be set free
Above all, don't lose hope; God still has a plan
Don't lose sight of the goal even when you don't understand
Faith is daring to go beyond what the eye can see
Believing beyond what the soul can comprehend
Loving and trusting beyond what the heart can fathom
Keep hoping, keep praying, keep going with knowing
That this too shall pass

Your light shines far brighter than the sun
You are a beacon of hope where it seems there is none
Your light is beautiful, shining from the inside out
To gaze upon it only a moment dispels my doubt
Your light may be one, your light may be small
But there may be someone to whom your one light is all
Seek out the light in the darkness of the night
Step into the circle where happiness can be found
Love, and warmth, and peace are all around
Help others to find their special inner glow
Surround yourself with other lights to make it grow
Things may look bleak, the outlook may be grim
But sing color to the gray, sing aloud a hymn
And you will find, in due time, hope start to swell
One day, you'll be able to say, "With my soul, it is well"
Light a candle and set it out for one and all to see
A candle in memory, solidarity, peace and harmony
For all mankind, be a shining illustration
Of love and compassion in any situation
Your light is desperately needed in the world
An open hand when so many fists are curled
We are a light not to be hidden, but be seen
And we believe in the beauty of our dreams

When the world is against me and my backs against the wall
When I get tripped up, and I slip, stumble and fall
It's okay, it's alright I'll be fine; I'm pressing on!

I keep my head up high; I keep my heart beating strong
If I face the sun and lean into the wind, I can't go wrong
With one foot in front of the other; I'm pressing on!

Don't give up the fight; stand up for what's right
We're going to work it out, we're going to talk it out
We are walking together; together, we are pressing on!

We learn what we are capable of when the going gets tough
We find out how and what it means to deeply and truly love
Turning hatred off; compassion we're pressing on!

Reach out your hand for the hand of another
Lend a hand to all your sisters and brothers
Heart to heart and hand to hand; we are pressing on!

Another year older, another year wiser
Another chance to be better
New Year is here so let's all cheer
Working to keep all we hold so dear
We hope to see each other face to face
And person to person
We hope that family and friends stay
Healthy and safe
We banish worry, doubt and fear
They have no place, no hold here
We hold joy, and love and peace in our heart
Tearing down walls that keep us apart
May this year bring you many great days
To see the world anew in wonderful ways
Look again with the eyes of a child
Full of wonder both free and wild
May peace fill your world and your home
And love go with you wherever you roam
Friends as your anchor in the raging storm
Family a lighthouse to bring you safe to shore
Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!

Coffee

Rise and rub your eyes
Get your engines started now
Morning cup of Joe

Cookies

Cookies are so sweet
Made of dough they are rising
Cookies: Yum! Yum! Yum!

Walk with me and I'll walk with you
In storm and shine and through it all
I'll be there to catch you when you fall
Together is where we are
Together forever though near or far
Call out to me and I'll be at your side
I'll travel the world so far and wide
Think of me and I'll think of you
Reach out and feel my hand in yours
There is no greater love so strong
So pure and true and so long
Just look up, breathe in, and smile
The same stars stretch across the miles
Standing under the same moon and sky
Reflecting the light from within your eyes
The waves match the beat of your heart
As my own heart pounds in my chest
We breathe in the cool night air
Riding the breeze, I'm already there
Can you feel me, can you hear me?
So far away, as close as a breath
Loud as the tempest, soft as a whisper
No matter what happens
No matter where we are
We are as one, you and I
Even without touching
Never Far

You are the cornerstone, the living rock upon which I build my foundation of faith, the spiritual house for the spirit of the Lord to indwell.

There is a way to the Father.
There is a way through the Son.
Open my eyes to see you,
Open my heart to the truth.
He will prepare a place we can stay.
To stay close to His heart is to live forever.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God, have faith also in me."
"I will take you to myself that where I am you may also be."

Have mercy on me in your goodness and grace
Wash me of my guilt and from my sin erase
I know of my misdeeds for they are a shadow
Wherever I walk they are sure to follow
It is you that I rejected, you that I denied
It was for my sin that you were crucified
I am guilty and your judgement is right
Never was there a time I was blameless in your sight
Still, you impart wisdom and the need for sincerity
A humble spirit and a heart of great integrity
Sprinkle me with your healing waters Lord
Wash me in the flow of your precious blood
Drown me in the waves of your mercy
Cleanse me in your life-giving flood
That I may be pure, that I may be as holy as I ought
That I may be whiter than snow by a lot
Open my ears Lord to hear your voice
And, out of my suffering, I will rejoice

Have mercy on me in your goodness and grace
Look not on my sin, and from my guilt erase
Create in me a clean heart Oh Lord
Renew within me a stout spirit
Cast me not from your presence Lord
Nor from me withdraw your Holy Spirit
But restore the joy of my salvation
That I would witness to the nations
The saving power of God and His mighty love
that they too may repent and join in Heaven above
Rescue me Oh God from sin and death
That I may sing of your saving power
My lips will proclaim with every breath
Every second, every moment, every hour
You do not desire outward sign of sacrifice
That alone does not fulfill the price
You require a right attitude, a humble and contrite heart
That is how the changes can finally start

Bring your kingdom here that all peoples my come
And find a place of peace, healing, and reconciliation

Trust me, I am all you need
Call out to me and know I will heed
Your cries. I will answer your prayers.
Come before me and cast your cares
Lay them down at the foot of the cross
Salvation and freedom I offer at no cost
They are a gift to you because I love you
I want what's best for you, I'm telling you the truth
Trust that I am right, and I won't lead you wrong
When you're at your weakest, I will be strong
Just be still and know this one thing:
Know that I am God, your friend and king

Hold me in your heart of hearts
Wrap me in your sweet embrace
To the place that I regard
My hideaway, my secret place
Won't you hold me
Hold me close to your chest
Sweet peace enfold me
While I lay down to rest
Take me further than before
Draw me deeper into you
There is nothing I want more
Than to be wrapped up in you

I know you are here with me
In this time and in this place
In this moment, in this space
Be with me now as I seek you always
Be with me always as we speak now
Tender heart so full of pure love
I sing praise to Him who is above

Uniting our prayers with Heaven's Holy Queen
Who, as a mother, understands most keen
Our joys and sorrows and fears beside
And walks with us a spiritual guide
Just as Jesus came to us through his mother
So, through her, we come to Him

Lord, you are the Living Well
You pour out the water of eternal life
You refresh my thirsty soul and cleanse me.
Upon the river's fertile banks
I stand and drink so long and deep.
You are a drop to drink in a sea of sand
And I know you hold me in your hand.
If I live for the Lord, then I truly live
I am not just living, but living well
I am not just surviving, I will thrive
Like a tree planted by the water
I will put down thick strong roots
And I will bear much good fruits
Planted firmly in the rich good ground
I lift my limbs to heaven-bound
For, His grace, has come to stand in my place
And in His mercy, I have been set free
I was lost and I was sick
Now, I am found and made well.
You who are the Living Well
Father, help me also, to live well

You call me to journey with you
Between the desert and the sea
Between life and death
Between darkness and light
Between desolation and consolation.
In this life I will know joy and pain
I will see fire and I will see rain
These trials, they will test me
But you, my God, have blessed me
So, I will walk with you on this journey
Between the desert and the sea.
Even in the desert you did not desert
I can see the son walk upon the sea.
I cannot see the path before me
But I trust that you know the way,
So, Lord, if you lead, I'll follow still
And, with your help, I'll listen and obey
As we walk on this great journey
Between the desert and the sea.

We are seeking signs and wonders
We want to be moved by miracles
Believing only in what we can see
To be awed and amazed
To be dazzled by displays
We came for the show
But we set our sights too low
The real change is just below the surface
Where we find a higher calling and purpose
It cuts through the sound and the fury
To peace, silence, and without worry
It's the quiet whisper of the wind
It's the understanding between friends
It's the hope when you're up against the wall
It's the peace that covers it all
As a seed beneath the soil,
So much growth and change unseen:
A God who works in subtle ways
Can ever surprise us for all days

You know my thoughts before I speak
You have the answers that I seek
You know my wants and all my needs
And so, my God, hear me please.
I cannot see your plan or reason,
But in my smallness, I keep believing
You can and do use everything
So, I place at your feet my humble offering.
In your kindness, hear me Lord
In your mercy, answer my prayer.
Nothing is impossible for you
Miracles happen before my eyes
And still, your will be done Lord,
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give me, every day, your word and your life.
Take not your spirit from me.
Sustain me in body, mind, and soul
That I may love you with all that I am.
Help me be forgiving and loving,
Help me to strive toward
The love and forgiveness I first was shown.
You know me and love me completely
Oh, perfect love in one Holy Trinity.
Through Your Mother; Channel of Grace
Who knows best what needs we face
I place this prayer in her Holy Hands
To distribute Grace as your will commands.
Now, I resolve to surrender to your will
To do what I ought and simply be still.

Amen

The hopes of our hearts are lifted to heaven
Sent up with a wing and a prayer
If it seems like the action of a last desperate plea
It is because it is
Sometimes it is the tears that you weep bitterly
It is raw, it is real, it is a soul that is laid bare
"God, are you there? Do you even care?"
And, sometimes, a wing and a prayer is enough
It is the darkest moment before the dawn, in glory, breaks
And sometimes unexpected are the forms His answer takes
On a wing and a prayer, miracles can occur
And the lines between heaven and earth blur
No proof is necessary for those who believe
But to see you must be open and able to receive
Our prayers are lifted up by angels and placed at His feet
It's a system of delivery that simply can't be beat
And we are lifted up, wrapped up in their wings
Borne to be in the presence of the King of Kings
We are cradled and enfolded, we are ever safe
As they sing over us sweet, amazing grace
So, call upon the Lord with bold confidence
Trusting in the power of divine providence
And the power of a wing and a prayer

Lord, I see you
I see you standing there
I see you watching, waiting
Longing just to love me
Wanting to make me whole again
I see the question, the sadness
I see the love and the tenderness
I see the warmth, I sense the depth
And what I see catches my breath
I see you in shadow and in light
I behold the resurrected Christ
I see the hands that bear the scars
That paid the debt that was ours
There is nothing so powerful
As love so pure, perfect and true
For, not even death could stop God
From being together with you

Can you see me?
Can you feel me right beside?
I am standing in the doorway
Will you welcome me inside?
I am looking
Deep inside your soul
I am longing
To come and make you whole
Can you see me?
My eyes, so soft and warm
Can you see them?
My love a whispered wind, a wild storm
Do you feel it?
Eyes so deep and calm
As to drown and disappear
In the depth and breadth of my love

Lord, look with love upon your Creation
By your Spirit, may we live in right Relation.
Gather your flock from every tribe and Nation
Fan the flame of faith in this young Generation.
Holy are you and worthy of Veneration!
Open our hearts to grant some Revelation
While we wait for you with joyful Expectation.
Be swept up by a brand-new Sensation
Elevating each one above their Station.
Be bold to stand for truth without Hesitation
Trusting in God for proper Preparation
And even in suffering we may find Elation.
Grant us your strength to combat Temptation
And avoid that which causes Separation.
Falling on our knees in humble Adoration
Our feet are found on faith's firm Foundation.
In purest love's perfect sacrifice of Salvation
Innocent blood became the way of Expiation
May we recognize, acknowledge, and Awaken
To the weight of this most blessed Invitation.
With the saints and angels in Celebration
Always and forever, Christ our Inspiration!

Here I stand: a solid stone, alone
Waiting for the day
When someone will see something
And then I will finally be something
Chosen out of a thousand others like
Then, without warning, the first strike
Chipping away bit by bit
Slowly, carefully, painfully working at it
Lines are chiseled, edges softened, pieces fly
It hurts and I can't see, even though I try
Time crawls on and little progress is made
And hope, like colors, seem to fade
But, by and by, a change occurs
The hand that brushes me is yours
And for the first time I feel alive
I feel free and unrestrained
The treasure which the stone contained
And so today, before you, I stand
Out of stone, made by human hands
Made a masterpiece, a work of art
Transformed into the human heart
To be alive! To beat and pulse and feel
Take heart as you wait for the big reveal

Won't you meet me by the tree of life
Won't you join me under its leafy boughs
Won't you sit with me in its pleasant shade
For the creatures of the earth, it does provide
Shade and shelter, food, and more beside

Won't you be with me at the cross of Christ
Won't you gaze upon his bloodstained brow
Won't you feel the weight of what love paid
It was for your sake that He bled and died
So he could welcome you with arms open wide

Won't you meet me where Heaven meets Earth
Won't you join me where they become one
Won't you come with me to the higher plane
And join me in entering the most holy place
If you look closely, you may even see His face

Won't you see with me how much you're worth
Won't you find with me all that love has done
Won't you have faith in what you can't explain
Of deep peace, true joy, and amazing grace
A sense of a strong and tender, warm embrace

So, if you'll follow, I'd like to take you
To a place beyond your wildest dreams
We all have doubts and questions too
Just be open to God's golden gleams

Let love light the way
Love has come to save the day
Love was nailed and crucified
In the light of love you cannot hide
Let his love come cover you
Redefine and rediscover you
Let it enfold you in its arms
And as it soothes and warms
Begin to melt the heart of ice and snow
Stoke the fire and the embers glow
Let love be your candle
Fueled by the eternal flame
Given the courage to handle
Any darkness in Jesus' name
Let it be the compass
When reality is only tenuous
The light that leads you safely home
When you feel cold and all alone
Let your light shine like the sun
Let it rest and reflect on everyone
Let your love be high
Let it be deep and wide
Let it reach to the heavens
Let it not be kept inside
Let your love serve as a sign
In every place and every time
To point to its origin and purpose
The one to whom it is in service
Let your love light the way
In all you do and think and say
And let it be your answer
When asked how you pray

Love by example
Lead by example
Live by example

Love like Jesus
Lead with Jesus
Live by Jesus

I want you to know three things:
And understand in your heart what it means

I Love You
I Did This For You
I Want Your Life

The depth of my love for you there is no fathom
So much greater than anything you could imagine
Nothing can stop the love that I have for you
Nothing can make me stop longing for you
It was for this love that I bled and died
It was for you I laughed and prayed and cried
So great was this love that the Father would sacrifice
His only son, pure and blameless without sin
So that the reconciliation can once more begin
Just to be with you, one day, in paradise.
I'd do it all over again if that's what it took
Just to add one more name to Heaven's book.
And He loves you with a love just as strong
With a special part in salvation's song
I have given you, my life. I want your life to be mine
And I will fulfill in you a promise and purpose divine
It's not safe and it's not easy nor is it grand
And you won't always see what I have planned
But put your trust in me and be blown away
You can't just sit there in your lawn chair
Get up and go somewhere, now, today!
Allow me to move you and use you
Let the light radiate and penetrate through
Let me lead you to a life you could only dream
Give me your life and I'll show you what I mean

Our prayers, like clouds, hover in the air
Filling the room with fragrance so fair
In the presence of the most High God
Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses
And a sea of saints and angels
We dare to sit before the King
And, to his feet, our petitions bring
A day in the halls and courts of Heaven
Are better than a thousand years apart
And even a few minutes changes the day
If I can stop, give thanks, and pray
Lord, I want to give you all control
I want to let you lead me to green pasture
But I am so weak and fragile
I am comfortable with my vice and sin
It is by your grace alone that sets me free
To realize all you have called me to be
Make me mindful of your great love
And your awesome affection

Lift your voices, sing His praises
See the smile upon His face
People, listen to the sound
Can you feel it in the air
The Spirit is moving there
As we bring His kingdom down
Rocks cry out and mountains tremble
As we exalt Him in His temple
Prepare a place, prepare Him room
Look upon your beloved groom
Behold the Lamb, perfect sacrifice
Whose blood was shed to pay the price
See the God who took on flesh
To lead us out of sin and death
Touch his feet and nail scarred hands
And, slowly, you start to understand
The cost that love sometimes demands
A tender kiss on thorn pierced brow
The weight begins to sink in now
To endure it I can't imagine how
From His heart poured out for us
His mercy and grace wash over us
Bringing life to ashes and dust

You are the model I strive for
You are the one whom I adore
The one for whose company I long
You are the one I lift up in song
You are father and my brother
A friendship unlike any other
But you are God above all things
Lifted high on angels' wings
Still, you call me one of your own
And want me with you in your home

Lord, help me find the way
To speak what I need to say
To show by word and by deed
To live out loud what I believe
To those around me this day

Lord, lead me to the truth
The path that leads to you
Though I may stumble and fall
I rise again and answer the call
May my journey help others too

Lord, teach me to live my life
In a way pleasing to your sight
In all, let my love be shown
So that your name may be known
To those in darkness and in light

Gather round gather one and all
To see this Jesus "Lord of great and small"
See him wear his crimson crown
See how the mighty have fallen down!
Like drops of blood upon his brow
Where, oh wise one, is your God now?
Look upon the nails that hold him fast
As it is written, it shall come to pass
He who raised people from the grave
He, himself, he cannot save

My lance pierced his bleeding heart
And then the veil was torn apart
The earth trembled, the Heavens shook
Jesus of Nazareth condemned as a crook
Jesus, teacher and carpenter's son
Proclaiming himself the chosen one

Now washed in the flow of water and blood
My eyes are open to the depths of love
Perhaps he is who he claims to be
I was a prisoner who has been set free
I gave him death and he gave me life
Jesus, please remember me when,
In power and glory, you return again
I am unworthy, but you made me new
I gladly give my life in service of you

You turned my whole world around
You turned my life upside down
The day you came into my life
You shattered my defenses
You broke down these walls
When you came and rescued me
I was on the inside looking out
Now I'm on the outside looking in
Looking at a brand-new day begin
You shook me like an earthquake
Crashed over me like a tidal wave
When you called me from the grave
Now I'm living in a whole new place
A land of mercy with sweet days of grace
Since you wrote your name on my heart
Since you put a song on my lips
Burned your words into my mind
And opened my eyes to see the loving kind
You turn loss into gain
You give strength in pain
You change death into life
And give us peace in the strife
For you, darkness is light
The blind have sight
In giving we receive
In obeying we are free
You turned the world upside down
And you turned my life around
The day you came into our lives

40 hours to pray and fast
40 hours to put Jesus on blast
40 hours to sit and adore
The mystery of the living Lord
40 hours of silent reflection
40 hours of soul introspection
40 hours to ask and intercede
And come to Him with every need

This time Lord I'm gonna trust you
This time Lord I'm gonna get it right
This time Lord I'm gonna change
This time Lord I'll walk in the light
But this time I falter, this time I fail
I take my eyes off you, and start to flail
You reach out and pull me in tight
You never grow weary of forgiving me
It is I who grow tired of asking to be
I know I'm unworthy, but I am ever grateful
Because without your grace I'm incapable
Of doing any good apart from You

This time Lord I'm gonna spend with you
This time Lord everything will be alright
This time Lord, you're changing me
This time Lord I'm awash in your light
And this time Lord I wait, and I wonder
As waves of mercy pull me under
You reach out to me and pull me close
You never grow weary of showing your love for me
It never gets old; this sensation of being free
You call me worthy, and so I will rejoice
Because by your grace I am given a choice
Of never having to be apart from You

Praise the name of Jesus
Praise His Holy Name
Praise the one who loved us
Praise the victim who was slain
Praise the only Son of God
Praise the everlasting King
Speak His name and bring him laud
Praise the life-giving spring
Praise to Him the living word
Praise to Him the Holy Ghost
Praise to Him who took on flesh
Praise the Lord God of Host
Praise the Holy Name of Jesus
Praise to Him the great I AM
Praise the pure and spotless lamb
Praise the mystery and the gift
Praise the one whose name you lift
Blessing, honor, and Glory Be
To God, in persons, one and three

Let the sea and all its creatures praise the Lord
The skies filled with birds sing their song of praise
Let the rivers and streams clap their hands
The hills come alive with the sound of music
Let the song of the Lord be heard in distant lands
Shout with joy all you people here below
On cymbals, and strings, and trumpets blow
Make music for Him who gave us breath
Sing a new song to the victor o'er death
The Lord has done great things for us
Our eyes have seen His wondrous deeds
He remembers us and He loves us
His face has shone down upon us
He is faithful and just, righteous and true
The designer of the universe also created you
Sing with your voices, sing with your mind
Sing with your body, sing out all mankind
Sing from your soul, sing from your heart
Sing so every fiber of your being's taking part
Find a brand-new way to sing His praise
Let it permeate your nights and your days
Go out and create!

We are made to Create, Recreate, Procreate. We ourselves were created and creation, by definition, is life giving. We were made for LIFE. A song may take on a life of its own in our hearts and in our lives. A painting, a picture, a story, can seem to come alive, and bring other things to life. It is what drives us, pushes us, challenges us. It is what makes us special, and beautiful, and unique and it is why, when we come together, seemingly miraculous things can happen. Each of us has gifts, talents, graces, different than another person. We create (and are creative) in many different forms and areas.

My challenge is this: find out in what ways you are creative or can be creative and come up with something positive, something new, something that you can give life to and, in turn, something that gives you life. Find (at least) one place to be creative and do it. Make it happen. Celebrate LIFE and see the life and joy it can bring to those around you. Perhaps it will inspire someone else to create. Work with people who are/think/see differently. We were never meant to create in a vacuum. It takes at least two to make LIFE.

May God bless and keep you and your loved ones safe and close this year. May your days be filled with Joy and your nights be full of His Peace!

See this Holy Family
Bound by grace and love
Rooted by faith and peace
Mirror of the Trinity
Expressed in human entity
Stuff of legends and of dreams
But to trust and to obey
To pack up and come away
Spending years in fear and flight
On the run and taking flight
Full of grace and every blessing true
No stranger to hardship and sorrow too
To know this Holy Family
Is to know from whence you came
To know this Holy Family
Is to know your truest name
You are part of this great family
Set apart as a daughter or son
You are part of this great family
With room enough for everyone
It can give you purpose
It can help you find meaning
It can be a place you belong
We were not made to be alone
It is here that love makes a home
Together, we are family strong

Look child, for the day is drawing near
And, if you are silent, you might even hear
The angels bending low upon the earth
Proclaiming now a little baby's birth
Born to one so pure and blessed
His head laid gently upon her chest
Under watchful eye of Godly man
Wordlessly, he takes his wife's hand
This Holy Family exemplifies the love
Between Father, Son, and Spirit above
Hush little one, let sweet sleep descend
And, to the angels, your soul I commend
See the light that shineth down
Upon this sleepy little town
Unto us a savior is born, a helpless little babe
But, someday soon, the people, he will save
Listen and learn from this simple story
Be ready when He comes in all his glory
To unite His children to himself at last
Old is made new and suffering is past
Watch the light, keep it safe and let it shine
That to all who see you, it may be a sign

Go to the place where the sky meets the sea
Cast your gaze and tell me what you see
Far in the East the sun will slowly rise
Painting with gold and saffron the morning skies

From the West the sun dips below
Casting again its crimson glow
To tuck itself in the blanket of night
And come again on Eastern flight

O seat of wisdom from on high
O spring of life that ne'er runneth dry
O root of Jesse flower once more
O key of David strike a divine chord
O king of the nations forever reign
O Lord whose anthems echo o'er the plain
O with us is God He is Emmanuel
O soon and very soon, all will be well

Lord, as we prepare for the coming celebrations by cleaning, tidying up, and getting organized for company, family and friends, and parties of all kinds, I pray that you would make us mindful of the need to do the same thing in our hearts, our minds, and our lives. We need to prepare ourselves to be ready to welcome you into our humble houses and we wait with eager anticipation for you to be born again in us.

As we give and receive gifts this year, turn our minds to the gifts that you received and their meaning and, more importantly, to rejoice and be glad for all the gifts that you give us in return.

As we celebrate and gather together in our warm houses with good food and nice clothes, let us take a moment to remember those who are left out in the cold, those who do not have such luxuries and move our hearts to be grateful and show them some love and mercy.

And, when Christmas is over, ordinary life is moving forward once more and we forget the promises we made, remind us that Christmas is about Emmanuel. Christmas reminds us that God is with us. Not just for one day a year, not for a month or a season, but every day and every night. God is with us in the morning and the evening, in our waking and our sleeping. God is present. The communion (the Eucharist) is His gift to us. It is his very essence. He feeds us and sustains us as we walk this way of faith.

God, sometimes we need a little gift. Sometimes our spirits need a little lift. In these moments Lord, help us reach out to you with open hands and give up our burdens and receive your abundant gifts you desire to give us. And Lord, may we never be envious or desirous of someone else's gifts. You bless us all as we need. Your gifts are perfect Lord. Grant us the grace to be satisfied with You, satisfied with what we have been given, satisfied enough on earth and grant that we, may one day be, supremely satisfied within the halls of Heaven. Amen

Come Oh God, come and be with us
Be with us and hear us as we pray
Come Christ Holy Spirit, settle in our hearts
Burn, burn within us, melt the icy parts
Like fire in our veins, stream of living water
Fan the flame and let love burn hotter
Come Lord Jesus, born to save us all
Gather us in, your beloved children
Open the eyes of our hearts to your call
Come, oh come, for God is with us here
Come, oh come, for He is with us now
Emmanuel is His name
Prince of Peace, King of Glory

I can be your shelter when your world is rocked
I can open door that once were only locked
I will be your strength when you are weak
I will be the refuge you so desperately seek
My gift of grace is all that you could ever need
Run into my arms and find yourself freed
I give you peace, my peace I give to you
Let it wash over all that you say and do
Weeping turns to laughter, night turns into day
The world fades, my love will not pass away
Talk with me, walk with me
Stay with me, pray with me
Cry with me, sigh with me
I understand better than you can imagine
How my heart aches for you, you can't fathom
Let me hold you, let me console you
Lean on me and let me show you
The difference one life, one light, can make
When it shines bright like a candle in the dark
Like a beacon, a lighthouse to safe harbor
Dance and laugh and sing
There is hope in suffering
This is not an end, but a beginning
For so many await our coming
From our birth into eternal life
To welcome us into our new home
The pain remains for those behind
But we can smile through the tears
If we live with this thought in mind:
We'll be together for eternity's years

The poor have the good news proclaimed for them. We rejoice for the good news is upon us. The word of God is with us and in us and among us. God, help us recognize your presence, to slow down and stop being BUSY (Buried Under Satan's Yoke). Hurry is incompatible with love, and it is the great enemy of the spiritual life. Too busy to do the right thing and too busy to do what we need and ought to do. Love is time consuming!

Jesus is about slow and taking time. Why else would he offer us ETERNITY?

My God I am not worthy
That you should die so I go free
I once was blind, but now I see
And let it be done unto me
I cannot see what lies ahead
You could pick anyone else instead
Among all you picked me out
You broke through fear and doubt
So let it be done unto me
My Lord did not come in awe and wonder
The land didn't shake, the skies didn't thunder
You came to earth in humblest stead
Son of God with a manger for your bed
Lord, let it be done unto me
Where you send me, I will go
Led by the Spirit as it blows
In this uncertainty there's one thing I know
From my life's beginning to its close
Let your will be done unto me

You have called me to yourself
You have named me precious child
You have made me in your likeness
In your mercy, you reconciled
You have shown us the way to the father
Taught us to follow God's own son
And, as we live in your Holy Spirit,
We are given the power of three in one
So, I pray, unto me, let it be done

We have been given the greatest mission
In the greatest love story ever written
It's a call to love; it's a call to action
It's the spark that starts a chain reaction
It's a call to faith; it's a call to holiness
It's a call to arms and it's nothing less
It's a mission not hard to understand
And it boils down to one command:
Love each other sister and brother
Be the light of the world, the salt of the earth
You're special, you matter, right from birth

Everyone wants to be loved and to feel loved
Everyone needs someone to be there
To have someone who truly cares
Go into the world and live it out
People you meet will have no doubt
Of whom you are or what you believe
You have become what you received:
You have become the body of Christ!

His hands healing the sick, feeding the poor
His merciful heart that loves and adores
His feet that walked countless miles
His kindly face and his gentle smiles
His palms up, his arms outstretched
Embracing the world from east to west

Reflect on these
And hold them in your heart
Then, bless God and thank Him
When you start
Becoming the very Body of Christ

Come with gladness and thanksgiving
Bring the joy of a life worth living
Warm the heart with love's great fire
The Spirit's breath to stoke and inspire
Come now with glad tidings to share
Let the song of your life fill the air
Take in the wonder that's all around you
In your very bones believe it is true

Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to Him the Angels sing
Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to the newborn King

Let Heaven and Earth adore
Let every tongue confess
The moment you've waited for:
The Prince of Peace at rest

Open your home, open your heart
Come find Him where He lay
In the place where it all starts
Rejoice! Salvation has come today

The day of the Lord is upon us
The moment has drawn nigh
See how much He loves on us
Sing Glory to our God most high

Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to Him the Angels sing
Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to the newborn King

Lord, so often I'm looking for the next thing
Believing that, happiness, it will bring
Then I find, to my dismay, it's not true at all
And, once again, my dreams and hopes fall
I'm looking for something to call my own
I'm longing for the feeling that I'm finally home
A place where I'm truly loved and fully known
A place where I never again have to feel alone
You say you have a plan for me: I believe it is true
You tell me that you love me: I believe that you do
You say you'll be always with me: I believe this too
You ask me just to trust, and I still hold back from you
The things of this world are fast and fleeting
But you love and word are forever keeping
When the affections of earth are cruel and cold
Help me recall love's anchor to which I must hold

Lord, teach me how to be wholly satisfied
Break these bonds of selfishness and pride
You are my shepherd, there is nothing that I lack
As I cast my eyes ahead, help me not look back
My eyes are ever wand'ring
And my heart, ever restless
But as I come into your presence
I am speechless, I am breathless
I stand amazed in wonder and in awe
As I see before me the very throne of God
The angels sing and anthems ring
Shouts of praise: Hosanna to our King
Holy, Holy, Holy saturates the air
Tears fill my eyes, and I don't even care
And now, like the morning sun, it dawns:
That this is where my heart belongs
The feeling fades and yet it lingers still
By your goodness and grace, it always will

Today's Gospel is from Matthew 15:29-37. It describes Jesus performing miracles of healing and a vast crowd of people had gathered and followed him for several days. He looks out and says: "My Heart is moved with pity for the crowd... I do not want to send them away hungry and possibly collapse on the way back." They have a little food between them, Jesus blesses it, breaks it, gives it to his disciples and from there to the people with seven baskets full of leftovers. What I want to focus on is not the miracle, but Jesus' statement that "My Heart is moved with pity." It's a fine enough description in English, but in the Greek, it is called splaghchnizomai, which means "be moved in the inward parts". It comes from a word meaning internal organs, a deep gut-level response, "visceral feeling/reaction".

Have you ever experienced this? Something so powerful, it turns your insides out and can make you feel physically ill? We've all seen those commercials of starving children or helpless animals on TV before. That's how Jesus probably felt or worse to see those people before him starving for physical and, more importantly, spiritual food. I get the feeling when I see someone suffering and there is nothing that I can do to ease their discomfort. I can only pray. To be honest, prayer might be the only thing that can help, and we should take great joy in the fact that we have a way to help, we believe and have faith that prayers will be answered, and we have the gift of asking others to intercede and lift their voices in prayer joining our own.

Lord God, how perfectly, how intimately, you must understand and experience our joys, our burdens, and our sufferings with us. How connected you are to all we go through. If this is true, it's unimaginable what you must have experienced on the cross with the weight and pain of all sin, all the suffering in the world. It makes our trials easier to bear because, at mass, you unite your very self within us. You become part of us and, likewise, we become part of you. We do not walk this road alone, because you share and understand, better than anyone else, what we are going through.

Lord, help us to develop a greater connection with you, give us the grace to be moved in our inward parts by love, compassion, mercy and all the gifts and blessings that flow from you. Let us act swiftly and come to the aid of those in need. Perhaps, our own crosses, our own struggles and trials, are preparing us to have that tender heart of mercy toward someone in a similar situation that they can find hope and peace in the midst of the storm. We ask this and all things in the name of the Father who created us, the Son who died for us, and the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Amen