A Time to Live, A Time to Die

Qoheleth, the author of Ecclesiastes, reminded us long ago in poetry of surpassing beauty that to everything in life there is an appointed hour. That includes death.  Too often in our society death is treated as something apart from living.  It's not.  It's an integral part of being alive.  What sets us apart from other creatures is that we are aware that our time on this earth will come to an end and we can shape how we think about our eventual demise.  As Christians, we do this within the context of a promise of new life, one that is brought to us by Jesus, whose arrival as an infant we will celebrate in less than two weeks.

Today, offer a prayer for the dead, for their lives, their witness, for the unique gift each has shared with God's people.  Then give a word of thanks for the living, for all that remains possible in the future, for the courage to grapple with struggle, the faith to discern God's love, the grace to welcome the Christchild with joy, humility, and peace.

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