Advent, Day 13

Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 8:4-12; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

"Will not the land tremble on this account, and all who live in it mourn?" - Amos 8:8

How long, O Lord?
How long before humans stop killing one another?
How long before we root out the hate that lives in our hearts?
How long before we stop shedding the blood of your children,
your precious ones, whom you hold in your hand?
Our hearts are broken.
We cry out for the lives lost;
we feel powerless before the evil, the violence,
the incomprehensible rage that leads humans to kill.
We grieve today for lives lost:
for 28 people murdered in Connecticut today,
for 40,000 people killed in violence in Syria in the last 24 months,
for the countless victims of violence and terrorism in Afghanistan, Israel, and Palestine.
We acknowledge with remorse the many other people we kill each day
through our unjust economic systems and our apathy:
the thousands of people who die each day from disease, hunger, and exposure.
And we ask again: How long?
How long before we allow your transformation to change our hearts and lives?
How long before you come and put a stop to all evil?
How long before you wipe every tear from our eyes,
and establish your kingdom of justice and peace?
We know, O Lord, that you weep over your children;
you mourn when one of your beloved ones takes the life of another.
We trust, O Lord, that you are coming to put an end to all this horror.
On this dark day, we ask you to come and bring your light.
Drive out the shadows of evil, hate, and sadness with the brightness of your presence.
Restore our hope, and grant us your peace, which passes all understanding.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come.
Amen.