A Christmas
Prayer of a Modern Magi Wannabe
O. Kris Widmer
Idea: December 16, 2017 –
During the Pastoral Prayer at a Seventh-day Adventist Church
Released: December 19, 2017 – Written Out During
Devotional Time with God
Divine/Human Savior,
God with us,
Word made flesh,
Risen and Ascended Christ,
Bethlehem’s Baby;
I
come to You not as a wise one,
but
as one who has been foolish;
foolish
for much too long.
I do not bring gold.
I
bring You my gilded reputation,
Which is solid paper mache,
covered in 14-caret gold leaf.
(I did it myself, it took me
years of work in my community.)
Most people like it; they
think it is shiny. What do they know!
I know it is completely
hollow.
I
bring You the golden moments of my past,
Produced by my super ego.
At least I thought they were
golden.
There are large holes now.
And a strange, pale patina.
I am
sorry for this pittance.
Forgive
me.
I do not bring frankincense.
I
bring You francs.
Many countries still mint them
every day.
These are from Rwanda and France,
Both places I have been.
I regret the current currency
fluctuation and devaluation.
I
bring You my frankness.
I have deceived myself saying
- “I’m just keepin’ it real.”
With candor, I have been
outspokenly blunt.
I have not been part of the ministry
of reconciliation,
Pretending to speak Your
verdicts;
With spiritual and spirited
words, I have rendered MY judgments,
And rended
other’s hearts in the process.
I am
sorry for this pittance.
Forgive
me.
I do not bring myrrh.
I
bring You merchandise.
I have lots of it.
It was bought on Cyber Monday
and shipped for free.
I bought one for Aunt Ellen
and one for myself.
I thought the size of the pile
would make us happy for a while.
It didn’t.
I bring You my murmuring.
“Where is the promise of His
coming!”
“The church is not for everyone.”
“
“The preacher’s voice sounds like
Donald Trump…long S sounds - Ssssss.”
“Solicitude? Huh?
We need a
modern language version of Ellen White!”
I stand condemned for my
condemnations.
I am
sorry for this pittance.
Forgive
me.
I am no wise man or wise
woman.
I am a fool.
Forgive Me.
I am unworthy of your great gifts
in return:
The grace grant of your golden streets,
The fellowship of being your family,
The mirth of receiving your mercy.
All I can do is,
with head bowed
and from my knees,
mumble my appreciations.
Amen
