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A Christmas Prayer

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
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Pastor in San Antonio and best-selling author of 32 books

Pastor in San Antonio and best-selling author of 32 books
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Residents greet each other before the start of an interfaith vigil for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at Newtown High School in Newtown, Conn. A gunman walked into the elementary school Friday and opened fire, killing 26 people, including 20 children. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,
Your Children

Newtown Vigil
Newtown Vigil(01 of17)
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A woman comforts a young girl during a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown, Conn. (Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP) (credit:Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP)
Newtown Vigil(02 of17)
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Mourners gather at the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-seven people are dead, including 20 children, after a gunman identified as Adam Lanza in news reports opened fire in the school. Lanza also reportedly died at the scene. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(03 of17)
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As hundreds stand outside St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, which was filled to capacity, a couple embrace during a healing service held in for victims of an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. A gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children. (Charles Krupa, AP) (credit:Charles Krupa, AP)
Newtown Vigil(04 of17)
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Mourners gather at the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-seven people are dead, including 20 children, after a gunman identified as Adam Lanza in news reports opened fire in the school. Lanza also reportedly died at the scene. (Andrew Gombert, Pool / Getty Images) (credit:Andrew Gombert, Pool / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(05 of17)
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People gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(06 of17)
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People gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(07 of17)
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People gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(08 of17)
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People leaves candle and flower as they gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(09 of17)
Open Image Modal
People gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(10 of17)
Open Image Modal
People gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(11 of17)
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A young girl's message (bottom) is lposted on a memorial board as people gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. A young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six teachers on Friday after walking into a school in an idyllic Connecticut town wielding at least two sophisticated firearms. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Emmanuel Dunand, AFP / Getty Images)
Newtown Vigil(12 of17)
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A mourner bows her head inside the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in Newtown, Conn. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. (Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP) (credit:Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP)
Newtown Vigil(13 of17)
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Mourners gather inside the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left at least 27 people dead, many of them young children, in Newtown, Conn. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Police have identified the gunman as Adam Lanza, whose mother was a teacher at the school. (Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP) (credit:Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP)
Newtown Vigil(14 of17)
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Mourners gather inside the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left at least 27 people dead, many of them young children, in Newtown, Conn. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Police have identified the gunman as Adam Lanza, whose mother was a teacher at the school. (Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP) (credit:Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP)
Newtown Vigil(15 of17)
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Mourners gather inside the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left at least 27 people dead, many of them young children, in Newtown, Conn. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Police have identified the gunman as Adam Lanza, whose mother was a teacher at the school. (Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP) (credit:Andrew Gombert, Pool / AP)
Newtown Vigil(16 of17)
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Girls embraces outside St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, which was filled to capacity, during a healing service held in for victims of an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. A gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children. (Charles Krupa, AP) (credit:Charles Krupa, AP)
Newtown Vigil(17 of17)
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Men and women hold candles in vigil outside St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church during a healing service held in for victims of an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. A gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the town, killing 26 people, including 20 children. (Charles Krupa, AP) (credit:Charles Krupa, AP)

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