Dear Lord; Happy Thursday Father!
“Christmas is messy… Humanity is messy… Family life is messy… And we get in trouble when we work so hard to make it all perfect.”
As I listened to a recording of Father Jim Clifton delivering a message on Advent yesterday evening, these simple statements found a nerve…
And I realized what a powerful, misunderstood truth it really is Lord.
In this season of Advent we try to focus on hopeful waiting; anxiously preparing to celebrate that moment of perfection so many years ago. And in that effort, quite often we attempt to put aside, or push down those portions of our lives that remind us of our “messiness”. “But it’s Christmas…” we tell ourselves… “We need to approach that stable with thankfulness and joy, not with turmoil and pain in our hearts.”
And yet Lord, our need and our brokenness is why You came to us that night…
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NLT)
You came because you love us Lord;
In our brokenness,
In the midst of our hurt,
And in our frailty.
So Father, as I approach Christmas this year; as I make my intentional journey to kneel at the side of that Holy manger, I bring all of myself to You:
My turmoil,
My struggles,
And my pain…
As well as
My gratefulness,
My wonder,
And my joy.
Help me to embrace the fullness of this season Lord; to make my pilgrimage with an open heart, knowing that You’ve come to receive me…
In all of my messiness.
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Pin It
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Sometimes, I think we try too hard . . . put a whole lot of obligation upon us and the rest of humanity. Couldn’t we just come to the manger, messiness and all? Just come . . .
I’m bringing it all to the stable this year; God’s holy interruption into humanity can handle all of mine therein.
Blessings, Phil.
I agree completely Elaine, and I know that I’m as guilty of it as anyone else. Like you, I’m bringing my whole self to that manger knowing that He loves me just as I am; messiness and all.
Have a Blessed Day!
And what do we find at the manger? a simple, poor, family, a little baby carrying the potential to change the world, a simple message of love and hope. I want more of that in my life.