Take Joy. December 17, 2012
Posted by ourfriendben in wit and wisdom.Tags: Christmas, Fra Giovanni, Fra Giovanni's Christmas Prayer
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Each Christmas season, we here at Poor Richard’s Almanac like to post a prayer that, for us, epitomizes Christmas and our Christmas wishes for all our readers. It was written in 1513 by a Franciscan monk, Fra Giovanni. We hope that each of you, whatever your faith, takes joy in it as we do.
Fra Giovanni’s Christmas Prayer
I salute you! There is nothing I can give you which you have not, but there is much that, while I cannot give, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take Heaven.
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in the present moment. Take Peace.
The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take Joy!
And so, at this Christmas time, I greet you, with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.
Poor Richard's Almanac 
I like this prayer, and I’ve never heard of this prayer. At least I am aware of the Trappist monks.
Yes, it’s a good one, William! I discovered it in a book about the children’s author and illustrator Tasha Tudor and am forever grateful to her for popularizing it.