Richard Kuns

Dear friend,
 
Today’s calendar marks the 364th day of 2019, the close of another year.  It is time to watch some football (there are 4 bowl games today), prepare for the New Year’s Eve party, make a New Year’s resolution or two, usher in the year 2020, and hope for the best!
 
But there is another calendar that invites us to mark our days by the mysterious movements of God and measure our lives as God’s beloved daughters and sons.  Today is day six of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

It began at Advent, the four weeks of prayer, confession and waiting, as we moved toward the giving of the most unlikely gift ever known.  It was the “perfect gift” we all hope to receive.  It was the birth of a baby, born in poverty, accompanied by the quiet sounds of psalms recited by a nervous Joseph and the restless movements of livestock. The birthplace was off the main streets of town, in a borrowed cave for shelter from the winter wind.  The babe was not born in the serene and beautiful scenes of gold, silver and blue foil depicted on those beautiful and expensive Christmas cards.
 
I invite you to pray on this Sixth Day of Christmas the most beloved psalm in the Psalter. Allow the words to embrace your whole being.  Psalm 23 (translated by Pamela Greenberg, headings by RRK).
 

God, My Provider
God is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
You lay me down in lush meadows.
You guide me toward tranquil waters,
reviving my soul.
You lead me down paths of righteousness,
for that is your way.
 
God, My Protector - Peacemaker
And when I walk through the valley, overshadowed by death,
I will fear no harm, for you are with me.
Your rod and staff -- they comfort me.
 
God, My Perpetual Host
You spread a table before me
in the face of my greatest fears.
You drench my head with oil;
my cup overflows the brim.
Surely goodness and kindness
will accompany me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Holy
for the length of my days.
 

Richard Kuns