He is the Reason for the Season

I got this in an email and thought it was a worth sharing. Enjoy!

Dear Lord,

*Save me from making a mockery out of Your great love and sacrifice for me.
*Cause Your Word to vibrate in my heart when I forget why we call this "Christmas".

*Help my spirit of giving be filled with Your spirit of mercy and love for my family and friends.

*Stop me from judging strangers on trains and street corners, with their own stresses.

*Save me from greed and commercialism—and from the sin of ever seeing any

of Your precious children as simply one more person to buy for, then cross off my list.

*Empower me to recognize what doesn't need to be done, and give me the good grace to let go of it.

*Help me remember as I shop and wrap that You are watching me make the choices.

*When I encounter a crabby salesperson or cranky child, may Your light shine through my responses.

*When I look in the mirror and see my own frazzled self, may I remember to look to You, from whom my strength and refreshment comes.

*Help me remember what You have already done in my life, for it is in studying Your sovereignty, not in buying worldly possessions, that I will find peace and joy and truth.

Amen!

—Charlene Ann Baumbich