Dearest Heavenly Father,

     Your gate is eternally unlocked.  The Light of perfect peace, joy and trust shine within.  

We have a lifetime to come to Your gate, a lifetime to find faith, hope and Your greatest gift, Your Love.

     It is our work on this earth to become aware that the gate exists.  First, we will see “it dimly as through a mirror, then we shall see it face to face.” 

     Let us be your light-giving tree.  Water us, feed us and adorn us.  We shall drink the living water of life; we shall feed on Your truth; we shall shed the old ways and burdens we have long carried, as you adorn us with New Life.

     Bows of all colors will impart peace to our branches, erasing the fears that have bent our branches low to the ground.  The glittering tinsel brings the light of truth;  it sweeps up all the guilt and darkness and throws them to the ground.  Give us a topper for the tree and let it be our helper, our encourager, our Holy Spirit.

     Dear Father, we are now at your gate. We give thanks for all the steps that have led us here.  It is your gift of Holly that takes us over the threshold.  Sprigs of Holly will adorn our branches.  The red berries and thorns of the Holly go deep inside our soul.  

They bleed the blood of the crown of thorns in each of us.  We are made whole.       

The core of our lives is restored and loved.  We have nothing to fear.

Rejoice in the Lord always…