A Christmas Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, we rebellious children of Adam’s race are once more challenged by the scenes amid activities of the season. Lord, help us not to overlook the message that the songs and programs of the season convey, namely, that, there was indeed born on That Day, “A Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Amid the plaintive cries of human misery and distress, may we have the grace to hear That Song the angels sang, “Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy that shall be for all People.”

May the bright lights and tinsel glory or the season not hide from our eyes That Star which led the wise men to That Manger and That Child, the unique hope of our fallen humanity.

Our city has a million Christmas trees. O God, help thy people to seek That Tree which grows on either side of the River of Life in the New Jerusalem.

It is the time of giving and receiving gifts. Dear Lord, make us conscious of That Gift—“God’s unspeakable gift”—That Gift which above and beyond all others is the hope of sinful men.

The booming melodies of the sacred carols again thunder in our ears. May the distractions of the season not obscure the truth which they proclaim, That Fact, That Eternal Truth That Our Savior was born In Bethlehem!

O God, help us, amid the rush and confusion of these days to remember That Cross (And the resurrection that followed it) which split all history wide open, into BC and AD, a fact which is attested and proclaimed in the datelines of every newspaper on Earth every day of the year.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, O Lord, help us to celebrate those things which alone are worth celebrating, That Star, That Angel Song, That Gift, That Event, That Child, That Savior, That Christ, That Lord, That Redeemer—that historical fact which most certainly lies behind the mad cacophony of this holiday as its antecedent cause and foundation.

In Jesus’ Blessed Name, AMEN.

The Beam of Light Vol. 23 No. 25
[From the files of W. Terry Varner]

Burton Coffman (1905-2006) was a prominent preacher and teacher of the 20th century. He served as Chaplain for the US Armed Forces, and as Vice President of Harding College (University). He preached for the Central Church of Christ in Houston, TX, for 30 years. Coffman was instrumental in raising the funds to purchase property in Manhattan to secure a facility for the Lord's church to worship in New York City, establishing Manhattan Church of Christ.