A Liturgy for Joy
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Joy is not made to be a crumb” - Mary Oliver
(Bold words may be read together in a group setting)
O God, O Giver of Joy
In the quiet spaces of the garden of my heart
I walk amongst the sorrows
their bruised, dry leaves clinging to withered branches
O God, O Giver of Joy, come
Out in the wide world, often too loud, too lonely
we find ourselves lost, restless amidst a clamouring culture,
our thirsty, parched souls yearning for living water
O God, O Giver of Joy, come
Your joy is not made to be a crumb
In the places where all are searching for satisfaction
where justice is not yet flowing like a river
where righteousness is still just a dried up stream
O God, O Giver of Joy, come
Your joy is not made to be a crumb
teach me how to feast
Here, in the reality of now,
where we stand between shadow and light
let me hear the hunger of my heart and respond with
O God, O Giver of Joy, come
Your joy is not made to be a crumb
teach me how to feast
to delight in your abundant joy
O God, O Giver of Joy, come
May joy be ours this Christmastide
Amen
Words by Vicky Allen