Now that the mad rush is over. . .

Now that the mad rush is over,
O centre of stillness and peace:
now that the needles are falling from the tree,
we thank you that you are still God-with-us.

As we face the year ahead,
help us to accept the difficult parts of our lives;
help us to make the changes we must make;
bring us to new places of openness and love
toward you and the people around us;
help us to overcome the fears which keep us from fullness of life.

As the frigid days of January and February draw near,
help us to keep warm places alive within us,
where in secret the bulbs of springtime tulips are nurtured.
As we face the year ahead, we thank you for one another
and for your grace in Jesus Christ.

Help us individually and as a congregation
to be signs of your compassion,
hope, joy, and unity in this world,
your love in Jesus our Christ.

Amen.

Ruth C. Duck (from The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers)