an advent blessing when you need a little hope

We are saying Merry Christmas
but these are heavy days—
for our struggling earth,
for our countries and their leaders,
our friends and families,
and for ourselves.

Blessed are we with eyes open to see
the world as it really is,
who say: where are you God? and
where are your people?
the smart and sensible ones
who fight for good
and have the power to make it stick?

This Advent, we wait
for the world to be made right.

Oh God, help us
in our fear and confusion,
in our uncertainty and grief
in our despair and longing.

Infuse us with a hope that doesn’t make sense,
with a love that doesn’t add up,
and with joy enough
to endure the long, long nights,
as we wait in hope for thy kingdom come.