Future and present and what do we do when we are lonely?

So what will the future bring? Who can say? Sorrow, joy or pain? Pleasure, patience, strength, wisdom beyond our years, from the throne on high? All of this and so much more, undoubtedly. Yet our Savior says, "Do not worry..." How not, Lord? When there is so much in this world about which to be worried? How not when tomorrow is so uncertain and we do not know what decisions will be made even by those to whom we are closest and love the most? Even by you, our Lord and Savior? Help us trust you, Lord. God, give us grace. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy.

And I identify so much with this Christmas song that happens to be playing on my Itunes at the moment...

"I have travelled

Many moonless nights

Cold and weary

With a baby inside

And I wonder what I've done

Holy Father, you have come

And chosen me now

To carry your Son.

I am breathing

In a silent prayer

I am frightened

By the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now

Be with me now

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me your wholeness

For you're holy

Breath of heaven

Do you wonder

As you watch my face

If a wiser woman

Should have had my place

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan

Help me be strong

Help me be

Help me

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me your wholeness

For you're holy

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me your wholeness

For you're holy

Breath of heaven...

Breath of heaven...

Breath of heaven.

(Breath of Heaven, sung by Nicol Smith or one of her company on a cd of otherwise mostly well known hymns called "25 Christmas Songs You Love to Sing" )

Not that our challenges actually compare all that well with what Mary faced in bearing your very own most precious Son, Lord. That would be overwhelming for any woman. Thank you for choosing someone with the childlike faith that would bear her through and for giving her Joseph to walk with her. Thank you for the dear family, friends, companions, protectors and spiritual mentors you give to us also. Yet, in many ways you have given us the same challenge of Mary: to bear the image of your Son to this world. To show them you in a new and fresh way, your closeness, your nearness! What a joy to share the story of Christmas with four entranced children and one very eager mother tonight, in a way they had never heard before! How much fun to bring it alive for their young and not-so-young ears! May I do that more often - bringing you to life for those around me through my words. The greater challenge, though, Lord, is to bring you to life through my actions - through patience, perserverance, long-suffering in love. That is difficult, Lord, so much more so than telling a story that is beautiful and breathtaking and awe-inspiring in and of itself. The other great challenge - although also my greatest joy beyond my relationship with you - is to bring to life the "baby" - the plan, the dream, the vision - that the Holy Spirit has inspired in me. Please give me appropriate companions to walk with me. You know I cannot do it alone. And I long for, depend on and desperately suck in your strength. Thank you - breath of heaven - for your closeness. Thank you that the plan, the dream, the vision, is ultimately yours not mine. That YOU are the one who will give it success. May I not get in its way. Do your will in me, Lord. PLEASE do your will in me.

And a song of Joseph (to complement that of Mary, above):

How could it be?

This baby in my arms

Sleeping now

So peacefully

The son of God

The angel said

How could it be?

Lord, I know

He's not my own

Not of my flesh

Not of mine born

Still Father let

This baby be

The son of my love

Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the son of God?

Lord, for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king?

How can I raise a king?

He looks so small

His face and hands so fair

And when he cries the sun just seems to dissapear

But when he laughs it shines again

How could it be?

Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the son of God?

Lord, for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king?

How can I raise a king?

How could it be?

This baby in my arms

Sleeping now

So peacefully

The son of God

The angel said

How could it be?

How could it be?

How could it be?

(Breath of Heaven, sung by a male member of Nicol Smith's company, also on "25 Christmas Songs You Love to Sing" )

Indeed... how could it be?

That we are chosen for the work of God?

Mystery and delight.

Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Part II... And what do we do when we are lonely? Lord, how do we handle loneliness? "I will bring relief." Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen