In a time of suspicion, when the king was “troubled” by the birth of a child who was blessed;
In a time of fear, when that king deceived to get information, under the guise of “going to do homage;”
In a time of violence, when that king was able to order the killing of every firstborn child under the age of 2;
God, you chose to incarnate, to join us on earth.
And to the Magi,
In the midst of this fear, suspicion, and violence;
In a time of darkness, both literal and societal;
Looked for God speaking to them in Creation.
They did not only see,
but also chose to take steps to follow the light –
Together;
To find the one who would bring about a new world order
One of companionship and abundance
Of peace and justice
Of Love and kinship.
And they listened to the quiet ways you speak, God,
And despite a request to return,
Chose to go back another way,
Leaving both the time and the gifts
So that the child and his family
Could flee to safety.
So that the child could grow up, to preach your kin-dom of peace,
Calling us all to
Multiply the loaves and fishes in abundance
Reassess societal structures in light of human dignity and life
And love each other, beyond differences and division.
Creator God,
Send your blessing upon us
That we may listen to your call through Creation
That we may courageously step forward, following that call
That we may abundantly share our gifts and talents
That we may listen for where life must be saved
And, knowing we belong to you,
Respond to our call to not comply with a culture of death and instead,
Find a new way home, to life, to you. Amen.
~LSM North America Team