RISE UP IN SPLENDOR

Parents, Grandparents, Godparents, Christians
Rise up in splendor
Your light has come
Christ dwells within you

Our children surrounded by darkness
Thick clouds of depression, confusion, low self-esteem
Blanketing their minds
Blocking Christ’s light

Rise up in splendor
Jesus within you
Piercing the darkness
Scattering the confusion
Lifting the fog

You are their star
Guiding your children to Jesus
Sharing love
Echoing faith
Revealing hope

You are their star
Praying with, and over, them
Sharing Holy Scripture with them
Naming grace, God’s loving presence, in your homes
Reminding your beloved children
—over and over--
Christ lives within them.
They are to shine!

Bring your children
To the manger, in awe and wonder of the newborn Babe
To Church, to receive Him in the Eucharist
To the Chapel, to adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament
To the sanctuary of their hearts, to pay Him homage with their lives

Teach your children
To lay down pride, selfishness, self-glory
To bring forth gifts of the heart
To share treasures with the poor
To give talents to help others
To rise up

Lead your children
To seek only the Newborn King,
The Eternal Light
To refuse tinsel—fame, wealth, power
To live brightly, fully, abundantly,
Giving all glory to God!

Parents, Grandparents, Godparents, Christians
Rise up
Be Radiant
Shine like Stars
Rejoicing, Praising
Your Light has come
It is Jesus
The Newborn Babe

Mary, Mother of God,
Star of the New Evangelization
Pray for us

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Thanks for taking the time to read this reflection. To read more about God's grace in everyday life or to connect with me about speaking at your conference, please contact me: www.marypedersen.com.