Turn us again to yourself.

 Psalm 80: 1-7, 17 – 19 v 3 “Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

Please listen, O Shepherd, display your radiant glory. Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us! Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” How long will you be angry with our prayers? You have fed us sorrow, made us drink tears by the bucketful. Strengthen the man you love, the son of your choice. Revive us so that we can call on your name once more. Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

My Mom died, the day before Christmas Eve, four years ago now. That Christmas I was waiting not only for Christ to come but by Mom to leave us. The decorations were up, the tree shone brightly, but sorrow was there as well. There were presents under the tree with tags written by Mom, my sister had done the shopping for her. And she still does. Even though every year since we talk about not sending gifts she sends “something little anyway!” Always wrapped in lovely shiny paper. There is always increased worry at this time of year. But as repeated in this psalm, the answer to our worries is to turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

Prayer” O God, turn our hearts away from the shiny presents under the tree to your present, Jesus. Let the light of the star that first Christmas time lead us today to the manger. Dry our tears with the light of your love. Amen.