Lacy Sietsema

The wise men knelt at Jesus’ feet. He was so small.  He was so sweet, sleeping upon his mother’s breast, like a new fledgling in its nest. Their gifts his small hands could not hold— the myrrh, the frankincense, the gold. He was too young to speak with them who sought his face in Bethlehem,

May the God of peace, make you holy through and through, and keep you sound in spirit, soul and body, free of any fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. He who calls you keeps faith; he will do it.   1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Every tree, every growing thing as it grows, says this truth: You harvest what you sow. With life as short as a half-taken breath, don’t plant anything but love. Jelaluddin Rumi

I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.

Great God,give us the kind of faith in youthat was the mainstay of those before uswho followed you fromGalilee to Jerusalem doing good,raising the dead to lifeand singing alleluia all the way.God of Conscience,God of Couragegive us whatever grace we needto work for the comingof the reign of Godnow, here and always. Amen. Joan Chittister,

O Risen Christ You breathe your Holy Spirit on us and you tell us: “Peace be Yours.” Opening ourselves to your peace – letting it penetrate the harsh and rocky grounds of our hearts means preparing  ourselves to be bearers of reconciliation wherever you may place us. But you know that at times we are