Advent Short Story 3 - A Monologue
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 ESV
“A Word With You, Lord”
Lord, can I have a word with you? I don't mean a prayer - a kind of conversation.
You know I've been to the place where you were born Bethlehem. Would you believe it, they have built a church there now, a silver star marks the spot.
I wonder do you remember much about it? I don't expect you did, I'm sure you read about it later. I don't remember anything about my birth. But yours was well documented and told over and over and over again. You were flesh and bones, like my flesh and bones weren't you?
Did you manage OK with that? Having descended from on high to a stable manager. Quite a comedown.
When you took a tumble, I suppose you bruised like I bruised.
Did you cry Lord? They tell me, ‘No crying you made' - I don't believe that for a minute. When you get hurt you cry, don't you? I know you cried Lord it's part of being real, being human, isn't it? You know what hurting feels like don't you?
I can't remember much about when I was young but I did read my Bible and I did think a lot about you, Lord, and I really wanted to know you - Lord – Jesus, flesh and bones born in Bethlehem.
Aye, you came and dwelt among us, didn't you, that's very special.
It was special for me the day I got down on my knees and invited you into my heart. I was young, but it changed my life forever.
Thank you, Lord. Now it's me in you and you in me that's how I see it, that’s how it is.
And you have always been with me since then, every minute - thank you, Lord Jesus.
If only people knew how easy it is to have you in their lives.
This Christmas Lord, could you do something to make that happen in the lives of my friends and family? Please? Maybe as they sing these words -
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Advent prayer (from Christian Aid)
Lord Jesus, friend of the sick, be the healing of all who come to you.
Lord Jesus, friend of the poor, be the dignity of all who come to you.
Lord Jesus, friend of the excluded, be the freedom of all who come to you
Until all humans stand renewed before you and the whole world lives to praise your name. Amen
It’s That Time Again (Christmas Song)
It’s that time again when you came and humbly chose with us to dwell
The prophet spoke your name Emmanuel, God with us, here and now
And you’re the reason why I’m overjoyed
Chorus
It’s that time again to join the Shepherd’s worship
It’s that time again to join Angelic throng
And I lift my hands to sing, extolling you as king
Lord Jesus this is your Christmas song
It’s that time again to remember what we never should forget
That the Magi came to visit bearing gifts Gold and myrrh, frankincense
And I am here to offer gifts of praise
Chorus It’s that time again to join the Shepherd’s worship
Bridge
From the stable Manger to the Cruel Cross
You were Faithful to it all
I worship and Adore you
Humbly bow before you
Now I answer to the call
It’s that time again, to hear-the-news the angels told the shepherds
So they hurried off to Bethlehem, Manger Babe, Christ the Lord
And you’re the reason why I celebrate
Chorus It’s that time again to join the Shepherd’s worship ©Burke,Burke&Burke
