Reflections and Refractions

As we look around our world, your world, we see beauty and majesty in the living, breathing natural world around us.

We walk the bush paths and feel the wind as it blows gently through the trees,

We hear the fluttering of the wings of birds,

We see spiders and their intricate webs glistening in morning mist.

We see creatures scurrying through the bush looking for shelter and protection. 

We walk along the beaches and feel the golden sun on our backs

We feel the crinkly sand between our toes,

We hear the gentle lapping of the waves on the beach,

We see mighty creatures rise from the depths with a rush of spray,

We see joy in their eyes as they crash back into the sea. 

For the beauty and majesty of your world, our world, we give you thanks.

 

Yet when we look further, we see a world that is in crisis.

We see temperatures rising along with the seas;

We see the brown haze of smog in the air.

We see droughts and floods and cyclones and fires.

We see coral that is dying,

We see scars on the land where we have ripped apart your creation;

We see forests disappearing;

We see islands of plastic in the sea;

We see animals in pain, choking on the rubbish we have left behind;

We see species disappearing because of our neglect.

We see the tears of your world as it begs us to stop.

Creator God, your world, our world, is hurting.  We have broken your world. 

 

As we look around our world, your world, we see we have done well.

We see great cities we have built;

We see dams that provide our water;

We see farms that provide our food;

We see people of different faiths, different ethnic backgrounds, different genders living together in harmony going about their daily lives;

We see people making advances in science;

We see people who want to go to Mars and beyond;

We see Popes and Archbishops, Rabbis and Muftis working and praying together;

We see police and fireman and doctors and nurses working to make our lives comfortable and safe. 

For the diversity of our humanity, for those who care and provide in your world, our world, we give you thanks.

 

Yet when we look further, we see a world that is suffering and in pain.

We see people playing with nuclear toys;

We see leaders who put power ahead of their people;

We see extremists using terror to conquer;

We see cities destroyed in anger;

We see people without limbs in make-shift hospitals wondering what just happened;

We see people fleeing in fear, from war, from persecution;

We see people without a crime living in detention;

We see people without justice;

We see people longing for someone, anyone, to care.

Just and compassionate God, your world, our world, is hurting.  We have broken your world. 

 

As we look around our world, your world, we see happiness and joy.

We see our friends and neighbours,

We wave and say Gidday.

We see the people seated next to us in church.

we rejoice in the friendship and the fellowship we share together. 

We shake hands and share your peace,

We sing psalms and we praise your name. 

We sing carols in the park;

We ‘Ooo’ and ‘Arrr’ as the fireworks light up the sky.  

We look forward to our coming together at Christmas, the laughter and joy of family. 

For the joys of family and friends, for the laughter and the fun, for the food on our tables, for the homes in which we live, for the churches in which we worship, we give you thanks.

 

Yet when we look further, we see communities in pain.

We see people who are suffering though illness;

We see people doing it tough, struggling to pay bills;

We see strangers in the street who smile as they walk by,

strangers who behind the smile are wondering how they can give their kids any sort of joy this Christmas;

We see lives destroyed by drugs and alcohol;

We see people who have gambled away their lives, their families;

We see people who will be lonely this Christmas, alone in their homes;

We see people sleeping in the streets who have no home;

We see people without a future,

We see people who fear what the future will bring.

Loving and merciful God – your world, our world, is hurting.  We have broken your world. 

 

Eternal Potter, we are your clay, you mould us.  Isaiah told us that.

In this broken world, you give us hope.

in the light and the bustle of the day we look for you. 

In the darkness and the stillness of the night, we long for your presence. 

In our waiting and anticipation, you give us hope. 

 

Give us grace to live in harmony with your world.

Grant us courage to be the people you would have us be.

Provide us with the wisdom to find ways of taking your gift of hope to our broken world. 

Come Lord Jesus, come, for our hope rests in you.