Advent, Day Seven of the Christmas Season

Advent, Day Seven of the Christmas Season
Every time I try to meditate on a sacred event such as this [the Presentation at the Temple], I find myself tempted to think about it in an intellectual way. But today I realized more strongly than ever before that I simply have to be there. I have to travel with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem, walk with them on the busy temple square, join the thousands of simple people in offering their simple gifts...and listen to two unknown old people who have something to say, something that sounds very strange and even frightening. Why do we want more?... But the story is so simple, so crystal clear, so unpretentious. I do not have to do anything with it. I do not have to explain or examine these events. I simply have to step into them and allow them to surround me.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 128

Scripture:
²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss^[a] your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”
 Luke 2:22, 25-32

Advent, Day Six of the Christmas Season

Advent, Day Six of the Christmas Season
Becoming a child [of God] is living the Beatitudes and so finding the narrow gate into the Kingdom... Isn't the little child poor, gentle, and pure of heart? Isn't the little child the peacemaker hungry and thirsty for uprightness and the final victim of persecution? And what of Jesus himself, the Word of God who became flesh, dwelt for nine months in Mary's womb, and came into this world as a little child worshipped by shepherds from close by and by wisemen from far away? The eternal Son became a child so that I might become a child again and so reenter with him into the Kingdom of the Father.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, pg 54-55

Scripture:
²⁰ Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
²¹ Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.Luke 6:20-21

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Advent, Day Five of the Christmas Season

Advent, Day Five of the Christmas Season
True ministry goes far beyond the giving of gifts. It requires the giving of self. That is the way of him who did not cling to his privileges, but emptied himself to share our struggles. When God's way becomes known to us, and practiced by us, hope emerges...

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 85

Scripture:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

 Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11

Advent, Day Four of Christmas Season

Advent, Day Four of Christmas Season
A friend once wrote: "Learning to weep, learning to keep vigil, learning to wait for the dawn. Perhaps this is what  it means to be human." It is hard to really believe this because we constantly find ourselves clinging to people, books, events, experiences, projects and plans, secretly hoping that this time it will be different... The few times, however, that we do obey our severe masters and listen carefully to our restless hearts, we may start to sense that in the midst of our sadness, there is joy, that in the midst of our fears there is peace, that in the midst of our greediness there is the possibility of compassion.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 24

Scripture:
⁴ Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
    praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.
¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
  Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12

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Book of Common Prayer

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace. may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

NOW I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive time adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an. heir of God through Christ.  Galatians 4:1-

THE birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying. Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, arid thou shalt call his name JESUS: for lie shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew1:18-

Advent, Day Three of the Christmas Season

Advent, Day Three of the Christmas Season
It is not we who pray, but the Spirit of God who prays in us... When our hearts belong to God, the world and its powers cannot steal it from us. When God has become the Lord of our heart, our basic alienation is overcome...

When God has become our shepherd, our refuge, our fortress, when we can reach out to him in the midst of a broken world, and feel at home while still on the way. When God swells in us, we can enter in a wordless dialogue with him while still waiting on the day that he will lead us into the house where he has prepared a place for us.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 106

Scripture:
⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:5-7

Advent, Day Two of the Christmas Season

Advent, Day Two of the Christmas Season
There is a much more human option to reevaluate the past as a continuing challenge to surrender ourselves to an unknown future. It is the option to understand our experience of powerlessness as an experience of being guided, even when we do not know exactly where... We can see that a growing surrender to the unknown is a sign of spiritual maturity and does not take away autonomy. Death [of a loved one] is indeed an invitation to surrender ourselves more freely to the future, in the conviction that one of the most important parts of our lives may still be ahead of us.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
A Letter of Consolation, pg 51-52

Scripture:
¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”.   John 21:18

Advent, Day One of the Christmas Season

Advent, Day One of the Christmas Season
The conviction that Francis Avenue, on which Harvard Divinity School stands was named after St. Francis... I must have suppressed my inclination to verify this conviction out of fear of being robbed of another illusion...

Names tell stories, most of all the names which is above all other names, the name of Jesus. In his name I am called to live. His name has to become my house, my dwelling place, my refuge, my ark. His name has to start telling the story of being born, growing up, growing old and dying--revealing a God who loved us so much that he sent his only child to us.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journal, pg 60

Scripture:
¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish.   Luke 21:15-18

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Prayer

 A Prayer for Christmas Morning

Every person who takes breath throughout the earth is invited to pause and celebrate You, Jesus, God’s Son incarnate. You left your throne in heaven and chose to come to earth and take on human form. You set aside your limitless magnificence and chose to live the life of a servant.

Yet, You were not just any servant – You chose to serve sinful people in need of a Savior. You humbled yourself entirely, obeyed God completely, and allowed Yourself to die for the sins of all people – for my sins – so that I could now enter the heavenly home that you left. Breathtaking! Thank you, Jesus.

Help me this morning, and all throughout the day, to embrace the amazing love You have for me. I will quiet my heart and mind before You to think about that love. You demonstrated Your love by being born in a humble stable, living a sinless life and offering Yourself as the perfect sacrifice.

What a gift You have given to me, to my loved ones, to the world! Jesus, You are my gift this Christmas morning. Help me to focus on Your gift of love more than anything else I might receive today. Help me to remind my family, my friends, and all with whom I will be celebrating that this day, Christmas day, is a gift of love like no other.
My heart celebrates the gift of You this morning.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

Scripture

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 

Advent, Day Twenty-Five

Advent, Day Twenty-Five
Somehow I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying "yes" to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying "yes" to a hope based on God's initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God's work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying... But it is into this broken world that a child is born who is call Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey, pg 50

Scripture:

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  Luke 2:1-7

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for Joy

I come before You today and thank You, Jesus that You brought good news of great joy. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You that I've been ransomed and rescued by the price of Your blood on the cross. Thank You for unfailing and unconditional love. You are the God of Hope and Your love never fails. My joy is formed in You, Jesus.

Help protect my heart, don't allow the things of this world to rob me of the joy of my salvation. Forgive me for the times I've allowed people and circumstances to suck the joy and peace out of my life. Fill me with the joy of Your presence today knowing that I'm a child of the King and that the Spirit of the Living God dwells in me.

Help me to trust You in every area of my life today. Through my words and actions, may they reflect the delight that comes only from following you. May those around me experience the joy of knowing you. I love You, I trust You, I praise You, I adore You.

Scripture

 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.
Romans 15:13

Advent, Day Twenty-Four

Advent, Day Twenty-Four
God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles, but moving towards the house of peace and joy. This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey. The God of Love who gave us life sent us his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that he walks with us...

Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and let him--whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend--be our companion.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 82

Scripture:
³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.     Luke 12:32-33

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First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for a Good Conversation

Lord,

Thank you for the gift and encouragement of a friend. I needed those sweet, healing, powerful words to wash over my heart today. No matter what else today holds, I pray that those words of truth stay at the forefront of my mind.

I am imperfect and I admit I don't always get it right, but I am asking for Your help today, Jesus. I pray that today my words would be a breath of fresh air to the people I come in contact with. Help me to speak honest, wise, hopeful words over others. As I have been blessed, may I now go and bless others. Amen

Scripture

 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

Advent, Day Twenty-Three

Advent, Day Twenty-Three
In forgiving we are still in control, "I forgive you." But to be forgiven by you means first of all I have to say, "I'm sorry. There is something that I didn't do for you." That is hard and puts me in a vulnerable position, in a dependent position. I have handed you over to suffering... Somehow I have failed you. I am sorry I failed you. I am sorry that I wasn't the kind of mother or father or friend or brother or sister or neighbor, whatever that I wanted to be. Can you forgive me? It is not just asking the individual. It is having the ability to say, "God, can you forgive me?" Can I be open to forgiveness? Then your heart can move from the hardened heart to a heart of flesh.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Discover Our Gift Through Service to Others
Speech given to Members of FADICA, 1994


Scripture:

³ So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister^[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. ⁴ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”Luke 17:3-4

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First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 

A Prayer for Peacemaking

Our Lord Jesus, 

As you have forgiven me, help me to forgive another. As you have brought peace to our world through Your blood, may I seek that peace and reconciliation in all that I do, even when it costs me. 

Give me humility that chooses not to fight or to defend, but to relate. Give me a heart ready to engage and encounter instead of hiding or resisting. Give me the courage to love, to reach out, and the resilience to never give up. 

Give me peace, Your peace, which the world cannot give. May it lead us to be One, as You and the Father are One. And may I bring You glory as I seek this peace always. Amen. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. - Matthew 5:9

Scripture

 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Galatians 4:4-7

Advent, Day Twenty-Two

Advent, Day Twenty-Two
Parker Palmer, a spiritual writer of the Quaker tradition, says community is the place where the person you least wanted to live with always lives. So community is not like a place you love each other sort of freely and warmly and affectionately. Community is in fact the place where you are purified, where your love is tested, where your childhood of God is constantly put through the mill of human relationships. That is what community is. Community is a place where Judas always is and sometimes it is just you.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Discover Our Gift Through Service to Others
Speech given to Members of FADICA, 1994

Scripture:

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 

Matthew 10:1-4

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Book of Common Prayer

The Collect.

 O LORD, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and 'deliver us; through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord*, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world with out end. Amen. 

REJOICE in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all under standing, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:4

THIS is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us, What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:19-

 

 

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 A Prayer to Love All

Oh, Father, You are love itself and You have loved me with an everlasting love.

There is nothing that can separate me from Your love when I am in Christ. You have called me Your beloved child and You have given me an example to follow as I walk in the way of Your love.

Show me that way, Father. Teach me, Jesus, to walk in love – to be patient and kind. Keep me from envy, boasting, pride and selfishness. Make me slow to anger and quick to forgive.

Remind me to protect, to trust, to hope, and to persevere. Forgive me when I fail at this, Lord, as I am an insufficient vessel on my own. Remind me often that the power to love like You comes only from Your Holy Spirit in me.

I need You, Holy Spirit, to inspire, encourage and enable me to love in this counter-intuitive, refreshing, sacrificial way. Bring glory to Your name by helping me to love all – without hesitation, without qualifiers or requirements.

Let me love the weak and the strong, the rich and the poor, my friends, my enemies, and those who are far from You. Make me merciful and kind, compassionate, and attentive.

Help me to be less consumed with my own agenda and more open to interruption so that I may love with presence - as You did for all of humanity and still do for me each day.

Let me see Your Image in every human being with eyes that reflect only Your love. Let me be the embodiment of the love of Jesus to all those who cross my path so that in me they may see and be pointed to You. Amen.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments … are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. - Romans 13:8-10

Scripture

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:9-12

Advent, Day Twenty-One

Advent, Day Twenty-One
Quite often out of an intimate encounter with God encounters with other human beings become possible... If you are the beloved of God, if you start thinking about other people's lives, you start realizing that they are  as beloved as you are. Once of the profound experiences of the spiritual life is that when you discover yourself as being the beloved son or daughter of God, you suddenly have new eyes to see the belovedness of other people.

It is very interesting because it is the opposite of what happens in the world when they say you are very special, that means you are not the same as the rest. If you win an award and they say you are different than others, then that award is valuable because not everybody gets that award. The world is saying that you are only the best when not everybody else is the best.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Discovering Our Gift Through Service To Others
Speech given to members of FADICA, 1994

Scripture:
³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  Mark 9:33-35

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for Washing the Dishes

There is so much to be done. Would You meet me here in the middle of everything? I believe You can speak to me even while I go about my long list of tasks. I confess sometimes I hurry too much and ignore the help You’d like to give me. You have my attention. I admit that in this season of busyness, I forget to listen for Your voice.

I’m listening now. What obstacles are between me and You? Open my eyes. I don’t want to be like the Pharisees, who only clean the outside of the dish when the inside is filthy. I need to start with the inside, with my own heart. Is there anything in me You’d like to wash out? What areas of my life are soiled by sin?

I’ll be quiet for a moment and listen for Your kind voice, the Voice of truth. Create in me a clean heart, oh God. Give me a calm and quiet spirit that is ready to hear from You every moment. Give me courage to hear Your truth and trust in Your forgiveness, grace, and lovingkindness. For You are good, Father. So good.

I’m washing these dishes because You’ve provided me with food, clean water, and shelter. I’m washing these dishes because my body is healthy and able to do so. Your gifts to me are amazing! I pray now for those who don’t have all these gifts. Lord, please bless and provide for them.

Show me how I can bless and give to them out of the abundance You’ve given me. Thank You for giving Your Son to make a way. I am undone by You, God. That I am able to have an intimate conversation with the God of the Universe while I wash dishes, I am in awe of Who You are, and how much You love me! Amen.

Scripture

 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
Matthew 2:7-8

Advent, Day Twenty

Advent, Day Twenty
Jesus' whole message is to say that you are God's beloved child... When you can hear in your heart, not in your head, that you are truely God's beloved daughter, that you are truly God's beloved son, everything turns around. They mystery of this spiritual truth is that you were loved before you were born, and you will be loved after you die... Your dwelling in God's heart is a dwelling from eternity to eternity.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Discovering Our Gift Through Service to Others,
Speech given to members of FADICA, 1994

Scripture:
Listen to me, you islands;
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
    from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
² He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
    and concealed me in his quiver.
                Isaiah 49:1-2
⁴ The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew^[a] you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

                Jeremiah 1:4-5

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First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for Rest

Oh Lord, I am tired and weary. My bones, my heart, my spirit aches. I am so tired and yet I cannot rest. My mind races with worries and troubles. I can’t seem to get any relief. I need You.

Come now and take these burdens off of my shoulders. Relieve me from fear, anxiety, despair. Fill me with Your peace, a peace that settles into the cracks of my heart.

I take a deep breath and remember that You are the God that created me, that put air into my lungs. You are good and You are still in control. Guide me, comfort me, protect me. Help me now to rest in Your presence. Amen.

Scripture

 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.
Matthew 2:3-6

Advent, Day Nineteen

Advent, Day Nineteen
Pere Thomas keeps tellings us in his sermons that the days before Christmas must be days of deep prayer to prepare our hearts for the coming Christ. We must be really ready to receive him. Christ wants to be born in us, but we must be open, willing receptive, and truely welcoming. To become that we we have Advent and especiallhy the last days before Christmas...

This morning I thought the day was completely free and open for prayer. Now it is evening , and I don't know where the time went. Somehow the externals of Christmas-presents, decorations, short visits--took over the day and drained away like water through a poorly built dike. How hard is it to remember...the difference between the urgent and the important!

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey, pg 103

Scripture:
²² Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.^{[a] 23} For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.       1 Peter 1:22-23

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for Healing

You are the ultimate healer and redeemer. You take broken pieces and put them back together for Your glory. God, I humbly ask that You take the brokenness in my own life and heal me.

You know the cries of my heart - the pain, the burdens, the questions I have. Please intervene. When I feel hopeless, be my confidence. When I feel weary, be my strength.

When I feel anxious, be my peace. When I feel lost, be my guide. God, I can’t do this without You. I don’t want to do this without You. Come in close. Help me to feel Your presence here now in this moment. Amen.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

Scripture

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2

Advent, Day Eighteen

Advent, Day  Eighteen 
One of the greatest ironies of the history of Christianity is that its leaders constantly gave in to the temptation of power--political power, military power, economic power, or moral and spiritual power--even though they continued to speak in the name of Jesus, who did not cling to his divine power, but emptied himself and became as we are. The temptation to consider power an apt instrument for the proclamation of the Gospel is the greatest of all...With this rationalization, crusades took place; inquisitions were organized; Indians were enslaved; positions of great influence were desired. Every time we see a major crisis in the history of the Church...we always see that a major cause of rupture is the power exercised by those who claim to be followers of the poor and powerless Jesus.

What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.
 

Henri J.M. Nouwen
In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, pg 58-59

Scripture:

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!Philippians 2:4-8

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for Hope

Help me Oh Lord to put my hope in Your word not the empty promises of the world. Only You can quiet a storm with Your voice. Only You can conquer the grave and death itself. Only You can heal wounds and broken relationships.

Only You can push back darkness with Your light. Only You, God. In a world that feels hopeless and beyond repair You are my hope. I can trust in Your promises and steadfastness. Amen.

Scripture

 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:19-20

Advent, Day Seventeen

Advent, Day  Seventeen
At issue here is the question: "To whom do I belong? To God or to the world?" ...As long as I keep running about asking "Do you love me? Do you really love me?" I give all power to the voices of the world and put myself in bondage because the world is filled with "ifs." The words says" "Yes I love you if you are good-looking, intelligent and wealthy. I love you if you have a good education, a good job, and good connections. I love you if you produce much, sell much, and buy much." There are endless "ifs" hidden inn the world's love. These "ifs" enslave me, since it is impossible to respond adequately to all of them. The world's love is and always will be conditional. As long as I keep looking for my true self in the world of conditional love, I will remain "hooked" to the world--trying, failing and trying again.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Return of the Prodigal Son: The Story of Homecoming, pg_

Scripture:
¹⁵ See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. ¹⁶ For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
¹⁷ But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, ¹⁸ I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.   Deuteronomy 30:15-18

 

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for the Least of These

Creator God,

Give me a heart that is compassionate for others, especially those people that the world ignores. Though they may look different from me or have different struggles,
they are a child of God, just like I am. Soften my heart, remove my cynicism.

Help me to hear the stories of my brothers and sisters and to treat them with dignity, compassion, and grace. I confess that sometimes I look past others instead of taking the time to enter into their pain and situation. Forgive me, God.

In a tangible way, help me to reflect the love of Jesus to people who are marginalized and forgotten. Give me grace, gentleness, wisdom, and mercy. Amen.

Scripture

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:15-18

 

Advent, Day Sixteen

Advent, Day Sixteen
The Father's love was so unlimited that he wanted us to know that love and to find in it the fulfillment of our deepest desires. So, he sent us you, dear Lord Jesus, with a human heart big enough to hold all human loneliness and all human anguish. Your heart is not a heart of stone but a heart of flesh; your heart of flesh is not narrowed by human sin and unfaithfulness, but is as wide and deep as divine love itself. Your heart does not distinguish between rich and poor, friend and enemy, female and male, slave and free, sinner and saint. Your heart is open to receive anyone with total, unrestricked love..

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Heart Speaks to Heart: Three Prayers to Jesus, pg 57

Scripture:
²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30

 

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 A Prayer for the Lonely

Living God,

You chose to become one of us. Flesh and blood, Jesus You came near to us. Meet me, Emmanuel, in the loneliness deep within my soul. I ache to be fully seen, fully known, fully understood. Share my pain and heal my wounds, with a warm and tender hand.

I cannot overcome my worries, fears, and anxieties on my own. I need you, Emmanuel. You have walked on water and met me in the storm. You were with me in my despair and confusion. You stayed with me in my grief and bereavement. You breathed hope and resurrected peace in me.

I am not meant to walk alone. I was made for companionship and connection. Yet shame still taunts me, and I hide behind distractions, leaving me empty and disconnected. Emmanuel, You alone can conquer the doubts overshadowing me. Interrupt the spiral of self-defeat.

Help me take inventory of the inputs that steal my joy and choose instead to dwell on your Living Word. Emmanuel, You alone can bring hope to my discouraged heart. In my relationships, give me the courage to desire connection over validation from others. Choosing intentionality over complacency.

Light of the world, You regarded our helplessness and came to live among us. Comfort us now in our loneliness as we draw near to You, the God of our salvation.

O come, O come, Emmanuel!

Listen! A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a Son, and he will be known as “Emmanuel,” which means in Hebrew, “God became one of us.” - Matthew 1:23

Scripture

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:13-14

 

Advent, Day Fifteen

Advent, Day Fifteen
It is Advent again. In his sermon this morning, Oscar Uzin said, "Be alert, be alert, so that you will be able to recognize your Lord in your husband, your wife, your parents, your children, your friends, your teachers, but also in all that you read in the daily papers. The Lord is coming, always coming. Be alert to His coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 57

Scripture:
³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert^[a]! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.   Mark 13:32-36

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Book of Common Prayer

The Collect.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever,* one God, world without end. Amen.

 LET a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by my self*; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.  1 Corinthians 4:1-

NOW when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he whoso-ever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  Matthew 11:2-

 

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 Father,

You are the creator of all relationships. You long for us to be in healthy, vibrant, safe, loving, trusting, honest, God-honoring relationships. As I continue to move through the Advent season, help me focus on giving more of myself to those I love instead of just mindlessly buying gifts at the store or online.

Sometimes I take the easy road. I purchase gifts without giving it much thought or intention. Help me this year to carve time out each day to prayerfully discern how I can invest creatively in relationships this season. Help me give more.

•     Give more of my time.
•     Give more of my heart.
•     Give more of my presence into the relationships that I need and that need me.

Remind me there is no present that can replace love expressed and time spent with someone I care about. Help me give more of the real me to those who love me. As I read these verses may Your words resonate deep in my soul:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a
multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God
lives in us, and his love is made complete in us. – John 4:12

Help me give more love this Advent season. Lord, hear my prayer. Amen.

Scripture

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12

 

Advent, Day Fourteen

Advent, Day Fourteen
I am deeply moved by the simple and mysterious encounter [of the Visitation]... Two women meet each other and affirm in each other the promise given to them. The humanly impossible has happened to them. God has come to them to begin the salvation promised through the ages. Through these two women God has decided to change the course of history. Who could ever understand? Who could ever believe it? Who could ever let it happen... For three months Mary and Elizabeth live together and encourage each other to truely accept the motherhood given to them. Mary's presence makes Elizabeth more fully aware of becoming the mother of the "prophet of the Most High" (Luke 1:76), and Elizabeth's presence allows Mary to grow in the knowledge of becoming the Mother of the "Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32).

The story of the Visitation teaches me the meaning of friendship and community. How can I ever let God's grace fully work in my life unless I live in a community of people who can affirm it, deepend it, and strengthen it?

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey, pg 28

Scripture:
³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.   ⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.     Luke 1:39-41, 56

 

 

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 

Almighty Father,

We confess that many things in this world grab our attention and shift it away from You. We have become hurried and impatient people. We have become so tunnel-visioned that we have forgotten to care about the journey. But still, You are merciful. Teach me how to be patient again. 

Help me learn to look for You while I’m waiting. Help me to learn how to grow closer to You even as I longingly wait for You to draw near. May I learn to trust You in the process. May I experience firsthand Your perfect timing, even when it is at odds with my agenda.

As I develop my patience with You, may that then reflect in developing patience with others, my family, my neighbors, my co-workers, and even my enemies. May my life bear fruit that brings You glory. Thank You for being ever so patient with me, Amen.

Scripture

 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:6-7

Advent, Day Thirteen

Advent, Day Thirteen
The word "listening" in Latin is "obedire" and "audire" means "Listening with great attention." That is where the word "obedience" comes from. Jesus is called the obedient one, that means the listener. The Latin word for not listening, being deaf, is "surdus." If you are absolutely not listening, that is where the word "absurd" comes from. So it might be interesting to note that somebody who is not listening is leading an absurd life....

Now to become a listener, one way to do it is to day, "How can I let the 'Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want,'" enter in from my mind to my heart? I can say it is here and that is just a statement, but it becomes prayer when I experience the shepherding prescence of God in the center of my being... Listening starts precisely when you move from the mind to the heart and let the truth of your being center you down.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Discovering Our Gift Through Service to Others, Speech given to members of Fadica, 1994

Scripture:

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 23:1-4, 6

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 Father,

You are the greatest gift giver. It is an extraordinary gift and responsibility to be a parent. I am overwhelmed by the gift of Your son, Jesus. I am comforted by the promise that You are with us always.

Thank you for the joy that my teenager brings into my life. Hearing them laugh and seeing their smile, watching them use the gifts and passions You’ve instilled, witnessing kindness, patience, and wise decisions, and learning what is on their heart are all incredible gifts. Help me to lead and love my child well.

Navigating this world can be confusing and growing in independence, confidence, and wisdom is monumental at this time for them. Help them look to You for a sense of identity and belonging. Place friends and mentors in the life of my teen, who will encourage, have fun with, and bring wisdom into their life.

When my child feels lost, isolated, anxious, or fearful, God, show up in a way that they feel Your presence in a personal way that they cannot deny. This Advent may my family cling to Your goodness and promises. May we have great joy in togetherness, sharing old and new traditions, making memories that we will carry with us for years to come.

May we focus on Jesus, and the gift He is. And, may we find ways to shine our light in the darkness, so that others will see You through us. I am grateful for Jesus, my Teacher, Friend, Miracle Worker, Savior, and Lord, and it’s in His name I pray, Amen.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

Scripture

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Luke 2:1-5

Advent, Day Twelve

Advent, Day Twelve
We must continually remind ourselves that the first commandment requiring us to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind is indeed the first, I wonder if we really believe this. It seems that in fact we live as if we should give as much of our heart, soul and mind as possible to our fellow human beings, while trying hard not to forget God... But Jesus' claim is much more radical. He asks for a single-minded commitment to God and God alone. God wants all of hearts, all of our mind and all of our soul.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in the Memory of Jesus, pg 31

Scripture:
³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment.   Matthew 22:34-38


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First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 God, how wise You were to allow us to parent little ones.

As infants, they are completely and totally dependent on us. What a careful reminder they are for us to depend on You. You clothe the flowers in the field and feed the birds of the air. May we trust that You will provide and care for us unfathomably more.

As toddlers, they are exploring everything around them. What a wonderful reminder to pay attention to the gifts with which You have surrounded us. For every good and perfect gift comes from You and You are unchanging in Your love for us.

As children, they are delighted with imagination and adventure. What a precious reminder that You are so much bigger than we can know. For we are Your masterpiece created to join alongside You in the amazing things You’ve planned.

Heavenly Father, when You gave me this little one, You gave me a glimmer of how I am loved by you. This little one, though exhausting at times, Will forever be mine. May I lavish my love on them as You have lavished Your love on me.

May I show them grace as you continue to offer it to me. May I teach them in the way that they should go as I look to You to guide my way. May I continue to grow in understanding of You as I parent this child.

Father, I don’t know which path this journey will take us. I can’t control every decision my child will make but may I have peace, knowing that You hold this child in Your hands and love them beyond my depth of understanding. Amen.

Scripture

 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:68-79

Advent, Day Eleven

Advent, Day Eleven
Keep your eyes on the prince of peace, the one who doesn't cling to his divine power; the one who refuses to turn stones into bread, jump from great heights, and rule with great power ...; the one who touches the lame, the crippled, and the blind, the one who speaks words of forgiveness and encouragement... Keep your eyes on him who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak. He is the source of all peace.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
"Adam's Story," Weavings, March-April 1988

Scripture:
¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.   Colossians 3:12-15

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 From the rising of the sun, every morning to the turning of the seasons every year Your grace and mercies offered each day humble me. I praise You for the simple blessings that surround me.

I glorify You for sustaining me through times of gladness and sorrow. I bless Your name for who You are and how You have created me. And as Your child, I ask you for Your blessing.

Elohim - Creator of the Universe, You have fearfully and wonderfully made me uniquely, as I am. Bless my mind with clarity and direction to do Your will. El Roi - The God Who Sees, You know my heart. You gave me the passions that move me.

Bless my heart to love as You have loved me and see others through Your eyes. Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will Provide, Use me as Your hands and feet on this earth. Bless my hands to offer mercy and grace as You have shown me over and over again.

Yahweh-Shalom - The Lord of Peace, You bring peace, unlike anything in this world. Bless my lips to speak life, and never to harm. El-Deah - God of Knowledge, How deep is Your wisdom and trustworthy Your decisions!

Bless my work to honor You. May I join alongside the ministry of reconciling this world back to You. For You, alone, are good, gracious, and sovereign. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Scripture

 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 1:46-56

Advent, Day Ten

Advent, Day Ten
It is it true that God in Jesus Christ is waiting for our response to divine love, then we can discover a whole new perspective on how to wait in life. We can learn to be obedient people who do not always try to go back to the action but who recognize the fulfillment of our deepest humility in passion, in waiting. If we can do this, I am convinced that we will come in touch with the glory of God and our own new life.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Spirituality of Waiting, Weaving's, January 1987

Scripture:
⁶ On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
    a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
    the best of meats and the finest of wines.
⁸ he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
    from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
    from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

⁹ In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;
    we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

 Isaiah 25:6, 8-9

 

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 Jesus, my great teacher,

Help me to find joy in learning. Thank You for the opportunities I have to expand my thinking, to grow. Thank You for creating a world that I get to explore. Thank You for those who have gone before me and for the lessons they teach. I pray that I would have an extra dose of endurance, to stay organized and encouraged.

Remove distractions and noise. Increase my capacity and resolve. In the moments where I feel discouraged, give me hope. In the moments where I feel tired and worn down, give me rest. In the moments where I feel frustrated, give me grace. In the moments where I feel overwhelmed, give me peace.

Show me how I fit into the big story You’re writing. Give me a greater understanding of who You are, and the plans You have. Help me to see Your will at work today. As I think of my future, help me to dream big dreams for Your Kingdom. Guide and direct my steps, lead me on Your path.

You are the creator of all things. As I study the world around me, may I find You closer than I could ever imagine. Amen.

Scripture

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:39-45

 

Advent, Day Nine

Advent, Day Nine
Mary creates a space for us where we can become children as Jesus became a child... It is precisely this childhood that Mary wants us to claim. She who offered an immaculate space for God to take on human flesh wants to offer us a space where we can be reborn as Jesus was born. With the same heart that loved Jesus, she wants to love us. It is a heart that will not make us wonder anxiously whether we are truly loved. It is a heart that has not been marked by the infidelities of the human race and so will never bring wounds to those who seek peace there.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Jesus and Mary: Finding Our Sacred Center, pg 13, 16, 17

Scripture:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.      1 John 3:1-2


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First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 Heavenly Father,

May Your presence light up the dark places in my life. Because in that darkness, there is fear. It is a fear that grips my heart and consumes my attention. The darkness is full of unknowns and what-ifs. It is full of worst-case scenarios and defensive positions. It is full of mistrust and unforgiveness. The challenges I face and the ones I worry about facing make my heart afraid and rob my life of peace.

But in Isaiah 43, You tell me not to fear. You remind me that You are the One who created me. You are the One who formed me. And not only do You have the power to breathe life into me, but You have purchased my freedom at a costly price. You have called me out by name and have declared that I belong to You. That I belong with You. You remind me that whatever I face, You will be by my side. In this life, when I find myself in deep waters, You will be with me. When I go through rivers of difficulty, I will not drown.

When I walk through fires of oppression, I will not be burned up and the flames will not consume me. Why? Because You are the Lord my God. You are the Holy One.

The utterly transcendent One whose righteousness and justice never fail. And You are my refuge. My protection. My Savior. Lord Jesus, draw near to me and drive out the darkness that I am still holding onto. Let Your light bring peace to this anxious heart. Amen.

Scripture

 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14