A Christmas Prayer

This is a Christmas email I sent out to some friends. Many of you qualify as such, so we offer this Christmas Prayer for you as well.
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Dear friends,

It's that time of year again, when everyone is hectically rushing around buying gifts, raising money and basically tearing their hair out- you guessed it- the season of peace and silent nights. Right. Somewhere in the midst of it all I find we are in danger of losing the deeper reality of the Christmas season.

Years ago, Deb & I decided we weren't going to go the route of "the ever-growing Christmas card list," so we cut it down to only a few close friends and family. Doesn't it just drive you crazy when you get a card that's been mass-produced and has the person's name printed on it? Real personal greeting, huh? We'd rather people pray for us and spend the money on World Services or a missions project.

Now to practice what we just preached (praught?). Here's our Christmas prayer for our friends (by the way, we bought a goat for a needy family through World Vision this season):

Friend, Savior and Lord Jesus,

We praise you this season because you thought us important enough to lay down your rights as God and be born a fragile little baby. A baby that would one day offer his own life for ours, so that we could get right with your Father. We recognize your great love for us and at this special time of year, want to let you know how very much we love you in return.

Thank-you for our friends. Thank-you for their value in our lives. Let them know we care and are lifting them before your throne of great mercy and grace. Bless them with peace this season- and throughout the year to come. May they know your deep abiding manifest presence in their daily lives. Give them joy in service; power in ministry and favor with those who do not know you- yet. May they be instrumental in bringing them into your kingdom.

Give them growth and steadfastness in difficult times. Give them influence and compassion in good times. Give them a deep desire to offer a helping hand to those who need it most and in so doing, become the light we were meant to be in this world.

May The Light of the world shine upon you as God bares his mighty arm on your behalf yet gently watches over you, his beloved.

Richest Christmas blessings!
Doug & Debbie