Dear Congregation,
As we approach our Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service at 5 p.m. tomorrow, I share with you this lovely and meaningful poem by The Rev. David Long-Higgins, UCC Heartland Conference Minister, OH.
“The Flame of Love” – An Advent Prayer
O Flame of Love,
Light this wick of me
Bearing something of You
Into the life of the world
Desperate for Your shining
To illuminate every corner
Held by fear or fatigue.
Let it be just enough
To brighten the path
Toward Bethlehem surprises
Still bearing Your coming
In little ones overlooked
By a world distracted
With dead-end detours.
Yes, fan Your flame of love
On this wick of me
Alongside others
Also bearing Your flame
Of hope, of peace, of joy
In some grand reversal
Of the world’s script
Of discouragement
Drudgery and despair.
Yes, radiate Your love
In and through me
For some larger good
Passing Your light from me
To other waiting wicks
Also created by You
To bear Your loving light
Blazing a trail to Bethlehem
Answering the world’s yearning
For something of You
To be born anew.
Yes, let this little wick of me
Bear some small part
Of Your grand mystery
Growing Your glow of grace
Revealing Your coming
Even here, even now
Especially now.
Yes, yes, yes…
At the close of the service, we will (weather permitting) sing the beautiful carol “Silent Night” as we stand together in the Garden Chapel. I invite you to think of this poem and challenge yourself to BE the “little wick” that carries the Light of Christ’s love into the world. In the words of the children’s’ song, “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”
A Merry Christmas to each of you.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Candy