Daily Devotions - Friday 12.07.07

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
--A voice of a prophet

The prophet realized that we develop many names for the child that is born. Likewise, we bring many names to this season of the year and each of those names is sacred.

One of the insights the prophet is telling us is that the very essence of God enters into our midst as a child. 61 years ago UNICEF was founded (December 11, 1946) and people around the world joined together to form the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. Children are so important. Today, I want to share a final segment of Marian Wright Edelman’s prayer for children with you. The words can help to keep us focused on the realities of this season:

O God of beggar, beaten, abused, neglected,
Homeless, AIDS, drug, and hunger-ravaged children,
Of children who are emotionally and physically and mentally fragile,
And of children who rebel and ridicule, torment and taunt,
Help us to love and respect and protect them all.

O God of children of destiny and of despair, of war and of peace,
Of disfigured, diseased and dying children,
Of children without hope and of children with hope
To spare and to share,
Help us to love and respect and protect them all.

Have a meaningful day in your work and may your weekend be blessed with everything you need.

--Ben Keckler
12.07.07