The rain that was predicted is more like sleet and the back deck is slippery. The water left for the feral cats, squirrels, and even birds had turned to slushy ice overnight. Ugh! Cold rain and sleet without even the beauty of snow that portions of New Jersey had on Monday.
The birds will be up soon, looking for food and suet from the feeders. The homeless are trying to find shelter, even more difficult with the fear of Covid. And Congress is still in a dither about meaningful legislation to help the most vulnerable.
But in the midst of all this, the bright lights set out at Advent are still on, telling us that we can create hope for all, birds and people if we just put our minds to it. It’s important not to be so wrapped up in our own fears of the Covid Omicron variant that we forget what the Christmas season calls us to do: to act so the Kingdom of God is not over the horizon, but here and now.
Prayer for the Day
Five days into the New Year but not much different from the old,
And we are easily thrown into despairing, O God;
Five days into the New Year and we have the same fears,
For it seems little has changed in our lives, O Lord.
Move us out of our despondency and push us into action.
Transforming us into a people looking forward.
In the name of the Great Transformer of lives,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
What the new year brings to you will depend a lot on what you bring to the new year.
- Vernon McLellan, American pastor and writer
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.
- Eleanor Roosevelt, humanitarian (1884-1962)
Do not fret because o the wicked; do not be envious of evildoers,
For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb,
Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord, and God will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in God, and God will act.
God will make your vindication shine like the light,
And the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Psalm 37: 1-6