The God of peace will sanctify you entirely,
and keep your spirit and soul and body
sound and blameless
at the coming of the Beloved, Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful, and will do this.
—1 Thessalonians 5.23-24
God,
I wait for so much more than Christmas,
more than the miraculous birth:
I await my own birth.
As you poured yourself into this world,
and it was never the same again,
pour yourself into me,
and change me forever.
Birth your light in me,
your Word made flesh in me,
Set me to your purposes
and sustain me in your way.
Make me a living sign of your coming,
a vessel of your presence,
an instrument of your delight.
I open my heart to you.
Come, and make me your holy one.
—December 15, 2017