An Advent Prayer

This comes from the RevGal Prayer Pal site and reflects well the often hectic world of clergy-types at this time of the year.

While I have certainly been busy, I have to say that this Advent has been less frantic than many others. As in previous years, people in our congregation have accompanied me on my home communion rounds. I do enjoy these special visits. One visit last week was especially inspiring. Our Advent worship has been lovely and life-giving for me and I am looking forward to the Cantata this weekend. I am so blessed to be a part of this faith family.

Amidst the many blessings are the many "to do" lists of the season. It is Advent and life is in "hurry up and wait" mode. So I share this prayer from the website, posted by revkjarla (thanks!):

a Tuesday prayer for the honestly overwhelmed...

Dear God,
why is it that Advent
-a time that is supposed to be all peaceful (at least it is in the pictures!)-
tends to be anything but?
Why does everything seem to happen at once? And how in the world do you imagine that little ol' we can attend to all of it?!
Please o please give us all the strength to get through these next couple of weeks with hope, faith, and some semblance of meaning.
Help us to remember that, though it's not mentioned, it's more than likely that even peaceful and innocent Mary puked and screamed and cursed out all those good creatures around her before coming face to face with her saviour and son.
In him. Amen.

(written by the Rev. Cheryl Kerr)

This prayer is for all of you and for anyone feeling rushed in this season of Advent. May Christmas and all of the preparation for it bring you joy, a sense of God's power and presence, and peace.

Sue