“Show me Your ways, O Lord: Teach me Your paths.” Psalms 25:4

My family’s Christmas Eve tradition began with my grandmother Dewald at her house and is still carried on today by each of the families she left behind. Since my mother has passed away, my family now meets at my brother’s house on Christmas Eve, and we share a meal and exchange presents.  Before we open gifts, we always read the Christmas Story from Luke 2, have a prayer, and sing a few Christmas songs.  My    father read the Christmas Story, my husband read it, and now my brother reads it.  As always, this year he chose one of Mother’s bibles to read from.  When he opened the Bible, he found a poem she used as a bookmark, and he shared it with us as our prayer.  We don’t know where or when she got it, but it was appropriate on Christmas Eve and seems appropriate to share as we approach this Easter season.  I have included it here exactly as my brother found it in its aged and decaying status.

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, May we always show You our love and our acceptance of Your love and grace by how we live and interact with   others.  Be with us as we strive to live better lives in Your name.  Amen.

Contributed by Phyllis Wheeler