Monday November 30, 2020

Begin this new day by praying this prayer out loud. As you are able, consider kneeling as a physical expression of your commitment to Jesus as Lord of your life and the one you desire to lead you this day. Alternatively, you might consider placing a hand over your heart as you pray this prayer.

Lord,
We come to you with great anticipation and preparation. Open our minds, open our hearts, open ourselves to what you want us to hear and experience today as we read your word.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2

For the next four weeks we will experience Advent together, a season of preparation for the coming of Jesus – who has come in the past, who continually comes in the present, and who will come again in the future.

Like the people of Isaiah, people living and walking in a land of deep darkness, we pause in Advent to look around and recognize our great need. We, too, desperately need the light of Christ to break through our darkness.

Advent teaches us to live in hope, to anticipate in the darkness that Jesus, The Light, will come – just as he has come in the past, just as he continually comes in the present, and just as he will come again in the future.

In what way are you walking in darkness?
What Advent practices remind you to walk in hope and anticipate the coming Light?

When you are finished with your time of reflection, close out this time with this prayer.

Lord,
Make advent real in our hearts.
Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now.
Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh.
Lord, we need Your peace and joy. We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. And we still celebrate You as Lord—this Christmas and always.