Dear Jesus,
It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark.
I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated.
 Raw evil demonstrated.The whole world seems on edge.
Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and
nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right?
You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men
followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face,
Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy.
Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt.
 You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day.
Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men,
are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children