Coming Lord,
we wait for you in this season of darkness
looking to the light
found on trees
on city streets
in candles and wreaths.
We wait for you in this season of darkness
feeling the warmth
of neighbors sharing a meal
friends holding hands
in the singing of Christmas carols.
We wait for you in this season of darkness
feeling the joy
gathering for worship
lifting up prayers for the world
joining voices in song
reveling in the silence.
Coming Lord,
meet us in the dashed hopes we have for ourselves and this season
provide us with a sense of peace found in you and you alone.
Open our hearts to your story –
the story of a baby
born in a manger
cradled by hay
born to a girl
born to save us all.
Coming Lord,
be born in us this season
in our fears and doubts
in sickness and failing health
in the caring for others while forgetting about ourselves.
Coming Lord,
we are ready and we are not ready
we are fearful and hopeful
we are hungry and full
we are loved and desiring of love.
Coming Lord,
you satisfy us
our hungers and desires
our dreams and hopes
be born in us this season
turning us from the darkness to the light.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Amen.
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is an ordained ELCA pastor, mother of two, and spouse of an ELCA pastor. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, MO. You can read more at her website or follow her work on Facebook.