Nativity Prayer for December 2

Nativity Prayer

St. Ephraim the Syrian (4^th century)

 

The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord
Because it brings joy to all humanity.
Old people and infants alike enjoy your day.
Your day is celebrated from generation to generation.
Kings and emperors may pass away,
And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse.
But your festival will be remembered until the end of time.
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At Your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,
Since you came from heaven to earth on that day
You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.
You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick;
Spiritual light for the blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.
In the winter when trees are bare,
You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.
In the frost when the earth is barren,
You bring new hope to our souls.
In December when seeds are hidden in the soil,
The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb.

Here are the true gifts of the incarnation, the gifts of the Father, through the Son, embracing the world with an incredible love (Peterson). Is your heart sick, blind, thirsty, hungry, barren?  The gift of life was born in that manger for you, for me, as heaven and earth were reconciled.  While Johnny may have wanted a pair of skates and Susie a dolly, God knew what the world needed: light, salvation, the bread of life, spiritual fruit, new hope.  “All I have needed thy hand hath provided – great is thy faithfulness!”          

 

Prayer focus:  the faithfulness of God