"Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. The world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

"The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear of threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

"Your world seems a bit darker these days. But you were born at night, right? You came at night. The shepherds were night-shift workers. The wise men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

"Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

"Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed and pain. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

"We ask you, hear us, help us, be born anew in us.

"Hopefully,

"Your Children."