Our world carries the scars of the way we live, Jesus;
the preferential treatment given
to the few who are wealthy and powerful and famous
leaves the rest ignored and neglected;
the desperate quest for more
leaves all of us feeling less, enjoying less;
the self-protective aggression we embrace to feel safe
leaves us and others wounded and frightened;
the apathetic disregard for the suffering, the grieving, the dying
leaves us disconnected from our own humanity,
from our ability to feel and to care.
We need our world turned upside down, Jesus;
We need our self-importance and self-sufficiency to be undermined;
We need a new way of being that is built on a whole new set of values:
Humble the powerful
and exalt the humble, we pray;
Fill the hungry with good things,
and keep the satisfied from taking even more;
Give us the wisdom to let a Child lead us
into a world of justice and love;
into the joy of sacrifice and service and simplicity.
O come, Emmanuel, and ransom your captive people.
Amen.
