Advent Reflection: Be Glad!

Here is a brief reflection from Edwina Gateley. It was posted on Journey with Jesus.

Be Glad!

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel

(which means 'God is with us'). Isaiah 7:14

God is soaked
in our world.
God's Spirit
lives and breathes
in and through
all that is.

We are lost
only when we
do not understand
that God
is already with
and in
each one of us.

Our task is recognition
of God's initiative
to be at home in us—
acceptance
of God-With-Us.

Then we cannot but
be glad.

~ written by Edwina Gateley in There Was No Path So I Trod One (1996, 2013). Posted on Journey with Jesus. http://www.journeywithjesus.net/poemsandprayers/

Advent Prayer: For Justice

Here’s a pastoral prayer for Advent from Paul G. Janssen.

Advent Prayer

(inspired by Luke 1:39-45, Amos 5:24, Isaiah 57:7)

Lord our God,

you have revealed yourself as One

who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people;

In a world that looks away from injustice,

You cast your eyes on the destitute, the poor, and the wronged;

You have called us to follow you,

to preach good news to the poor,

to proclaim release for the captives

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed

and to proclaim the time of your blessing.

Be present with your church, Lord,

as we respond to your call.

Open our eyes to the downtrodden.

Fill us with compassion for the plight of the alien,

the refugee, and the immigrant.

Lead us into ministries that help orphans and widows.

Give us courage to block the paths of the ungodly

who exploit the poor.

Set us free from pious exercises

that prevent us from the true worship you choose:

Sharing bread with the hungry,

Sharing homes with the homeless,

Sharing clothes with the naked,

Sharing hearts with our own kin.

So may your justice roll down like waters,

your righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Lead our footsteps to stand with the poor,

that we might stand with you.

Have mercy, O God:

Scatter the proud,

Put down the mighty,

Lift up the lowly,

Fill up the hungry,

And send the rich away empty-handed.

Our Father, etc. ...

~ Paul G. Janssen, and printed in Prayerful Preparation: Living God, Renew Us. Published by the World Communion of Reformed Churches, and posted at http://wcrc.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GC2017-PrayerfulPreparation-English.pdf. 

Advent Prayer of Confession

Here’s a prayer of confession for Advent. It was written by Rev. Jan Brooks at the Cottonwood Falls Presbyterian Church.

Prayer of Confession for Advent

(inspired by Isaiah 7:14 and Luke 1:26-38)

O Holy God of Promise,

we so often place our trust in the things we can see,

and touch, and easily believe.

But you did not ask us to believe what is easy,

you have asked us to believe what is true!

Forgive us, Holy One, when we doubt the ways you work.

Forgive us when we find it hard to believe an ancient story.

Forgive us we question how you chose to enter the world,

born as one of us.

Forgive our lack of faith and belief

in ways which seem so impossible to believe.

Help us to look in faith, open our belief, and set aside our doubts

that you sent your Son, born of a virgin –

the one who has come to set us all free.

We offer these prayers in the name of your Son,

Emmanuel, God with us.  Amen.

~ written by Rev. Jan Brooks, Cottonwood Falls Presbyterian Church.

Prayer of Confession: Luke 1:47-55

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:47-55. It was written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.

Magnificat Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 1:47-55)

When our spirits despair and we deny our blessedness,
Forgive us, O God.
When we ignore the mighty things you have done,
When we doubt your mercy,
Forgive us, O God.
When we are proud
in the thoughts of our hearts,
When our power rests on the oppression of others,
When our wealth causes others to go hungry,
forgive us, O God.

[silence]

Help us, your servants,

according to the promises you have made.

~  written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

Prayer of Illumination: Luke 1

Here is a prayer of illumination (a prayer traditionally spoken before the reading and preaching of the Word), from the Worship@North website.

Prayer of Illumination

(inspired by Luke 1:26-38)

Faithful God,

you chose Mary, full of grace,

to be the mother of our Sovereign and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now fill us with your grace, that with her,

we may understand your ways,

rejoice in your salvation,

and embrace your will;

through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen. 

~ from a collection of prayers posted on the Worship@North website. https://northchurchindy.wordpress.com/ 

Advent Call to Worship: Waiting

Here’s an Advent call to worship (or a wonderful introduction to the reading of scripture during Advent) from  Roddy Hamilton’s Mucky Paws website.

Call to Worship for Advent: Waiting

Across the universe
creation waits
for the prophets to speak
their words of expectation
and their vision of renewal

May we gather round them today
once more
and let their longing grip us
and lead us
into birth and blessing

So come now my friends
this is the meeting place
of promise and prophecy
let us listen through the ancient words
that we might be ready to hear 
a baby’s cry

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Advent Intercessions

Here’s a prayer of intercession for Advent from Fr. Rick Morley.  It draws on images from each of the Isaiah readings for Year A.

Prayers of the People

In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord,

kindle in us the desire to remain awake;

that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray.

O God, in days to come

the mountain of your house will be established,

and your joy shall reign.

We pray for the church (especially…),

that you might teach us your ways and that we might walk in your paths.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Out of Zion shall go forth instruction,

and you, O God, shall judge between the nations.

We pray for our nation, and all nations,

that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord,

wolves lie down with lambs

and children play with serpents without fear.

We pray for the sick, the suffering,

and those in distress of any kind (especially…);

that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief,

and settle all wrongs.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord,

even the wilderness and dry land are glad and rejoice.

We pray for those who rejoice this week

as they celebrate their birthday (especially… and anniversaries…);

that they might obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing might flee away.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In the fulness of time, O God,

you sent your son, to be born of our sister Mary.

And his name was Emmanuel: God With Us.

We thank you for your Presence with us,

and we pray that you might be always present

with those whom we love but see no longer.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Come among us O God, and hear our prayers;

so that when your Son Jesus comes among us

with great might, and in manger mild,

we might recognize his face and his voice,

and come to adore him. Amen.

~ written by Fr. Rick Morley, and posted on rick morley. http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/207

Call to Worship: Solstice

Here is a call to worship for the end of the Advent season – specifically, the December solstice marking the shortest day of year.  It was written by Roddy Hamilton, minister at the New Kilpatrick Church in Bearsden, Scotland.

Advent Call to Worship: December Solstice

it is solstice night
it is the death of darkness

for an age
light has been slipping away
but now
no further

it shall return

and in the hearing of the darkness
the light says:
arise
shine
for your light has come

the promise frees itself from the frost
and long nights

there is an awakening
and in the hearing of the darkness
the light says:
the people who have walked in darkness
have seen a great light

the day now
shrunken yet
is filled with hope
and begins to stretch
pushing at the edges of darkness
scraping it away
with hope of new life

and in the hearing of the darkness
the light says:
for unto you a child is born
unto you a son is given

this is a darkness greater than any night
and the light more than the day

right in the heart of the deeper, human darkness
a manger is ready
as the age of brightness returns

the advent promise
has found a place
to chase the darkness
and make room for the light

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on the New Kilpatrick Church website. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/

Advent Prayer for Others: Shed Your Light

Here’s a framework for an advent prayer of intercession from The Deacon’s Bench website. It is inspired by Psalm 80.

Prayer for Advent

(inspired by Psalm 80)

Holy One, healer of the world,

shed your light upon this world.

Holy One, healer of brokenness,

make us bold to share your light with others.

Holy One, healer of the world, we offer our prayers:

(The leader or people may add particular intercessions or thanksgivings.)

Lead us to wholeness

and make us shine with your light of healing love.

~ from Daily Prayer for All Seasons, posted online at the The Deacon’s Bench. http://deaconsbench.wordpress.com/files-and-forms/

Advent Confession: Psalm 80

Here is a prayer of confession and petition for Advent 3 A. It was written by Ann Siddall, and was posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community website. The congregational response comes from Psalm 80:3.

Advent Prayer

In a few days’ time

we will be celebrating

the birth of Christ,

so let us restore our souls,

and refresh our spirits.

Restore us, O God,

let your face shine

that we may be saved. Amen.

Though we are complicit

in the frenzy of consumerism,

the unreality of expectations,

the tension of gift giving,

and the pressure to attend gatherings:

Restore us, O God,

let your face shine

that we may be saved. Amen.

Though we would like

to be more Christ-centred

in our daily lives,

we know we can turn to God,

and be restored. So, we ask:

Restore us, O God,

let your face shine

that we may be saved. Amen.

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community website. http://stillpointsa.org.au/prayer/prayers-and-liturgies/

Advent Prayer: Isaiah 7: 14

Here’s an advent prayer inspired by Isaiah 7:14. It comes from the Christian Aid website.

Advent Prayer

(inspired by Isaiah 7:14)

'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son,

and shall name him Immanuel.' (Isaiah 7:14)

Immanuel, God with us; 
In muscle and sinew, breath and bone. 
In vulnerability and risk, escape and refuge. 
In parable and healing, encounter and sign. 
In suffering and death, word became flesh. 
In resurrection, ascension, and spirit come down. 
In justice and grace, patience and peace. 
Immanuel, God with us, 
Creator, Son and Spirit. 
Glory be to God. Amen.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ 

Advent Prayer: Preparing for Christmas

Here’s an Advent prayer from Fr. Henri Nouwen.

Advent Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness,

send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do

seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things

look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways

long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy

seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people,

walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”

~ written by Fr. Henri J. M. Nouwen.  Posted on Patheos. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/yimcatholic/2012/12/an-advent-prayer.html

Advent Intercessions

Here is a beautiful responsive prayer for the Advent season from Christine Sine’s Godspace website.  It could function as a prayer of invocation or intercession.

Prayer for Others during Advent

Into our troubles and weaknesses,
Into the barren places of our souls, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the war torn and the refugee,
Into those who live in conflict, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the homeless and the unemployed,
Into those who feel abandoned, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the sick and the disabled,
Into those with Ebola and with cancer, Come, Lord
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the poor and the starving,
Into those who are oppressed or abused, Come Lord
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the lives of loved ones,
Into those from whom we are estranged, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into our joys and celebrations,

Into our work and our achievements, Come, Lord
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

O Christ we long for your coming. Hasten that day when those who seek you in every nation will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south and sit at table in Your Kingdom. Hasten the day when your Kingdom will come in all its glory and suffering and pain and sickness and oppression and death will be overcome forever. Hasten the day when we will be resurrected as a great multicultural family and live in peace, harmony, joy and love together in your kingdom.

~ written by Christine Sine on Godspace http://godspace-msa.com/.  It is part of a longer iturgy for Advent which can be viewed here: http://godspace-msa.com/2015/11/29/liturgy-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent/   

Blessing: The Trinity Restores You

Here’s a blessing inspired by Psalm 80.  It was written by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, and posted on Soul Shepherding.

The Trinity Restores You

(inspired by Psalm 80)

The Trinity restores you;

they make their face to shine all around you

so that you are saved.

The Father loves you;

He makes his face to shine down on you

so that you are saved.

The Son graces you;

He makes his face to shine right beside you

so that you are saved.

The Spirit lives in you;

He makes his face to shine inside you

so that you are saved.

The Trinity empowers you;

they make their face to shine through you

so that others are saved.

~ written by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, inspired by Psalm 80.  Posted on Soul Shepherding. http://www.soulshepherding.org/

Call to Worship: Zechariah 3: 6

Here is a responsive call to worship inspired by Zechariah 3:6.  It was written by Ruth Burgess.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Zechariah 3:6)

Not by might, nor by power,

but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 3:6

As farmers wait for rainfall
As prisoners wait for freedom
We wait for the coming of God

As exiles yearn for home
As peacemakers yearn for justice
We long for the coming of God

As travelers search for shelter
As disciples look for answers
We prepare for the coming of God

~ Ruth Burgess.  Posted on Of Life, Laughter and Liturgy… http://stranzdocs.blogspot.ca/2007/12/advent-liturgy-for-visit-of-archbishop.html

Advent Prayer: Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus

Here’s a responsive prayer of petition for Advent.

Advent Prayer: Maranatha

Maranatha,

Come, Lord Jesus, come soon.

The glory of God shall be revealed

and all flesh shall see it together

Maranatha,

Come, Lord Jesus, come soon!

Sing aloud, waste places of Jerusalem!

Sing to the God who gives courage and strength.

Maranatha,

Come, Lord Jesus, come soon!

You who are unsure of what you believe,

or whether you believe at all: listen!

You who are weighed down by thoughts of failure,

or feelings of grief: listen!

You whose hearts are heavy,

whose problems seem insurmountable: listen!

Soon God’s salvation will come;

God’s deliverance will be revealed.

For a woman shall conceive and bear a son

and shall call his name Emmanuel: God with us

Maranatha

Come, Lord Jesus, come soon!

Advent: Heaven's Coming Down

Here’s a beautiful song text for Advent from songwriter Sean Hall, on the album February Birds.

Heaven's Coming Down

Sean Hall

Jesus speaks the voice of justice

Our universe resounds

He cries for mercy

For the helpless

Can you hear the sound?

Heaven's song of liberation

In the heart resounds

A song of freedom

For the captive

Can you hear the sound?

Heaven's coming down

Let’s raise our voices loud and clear

And join him in his song

Heaven's coming down

This is the melody of God

When justice and freedom rise

Heaven's coming down

Can you hear the sound?

 As we love our neighbors well

The song will carry on

Acts of beauty

Hands of mercy

We will live the song

Heaven's coming down

~ Sean Hall, on the album February Birds. 
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/FebruaryBirds

Advent Poem: O Oriens

Here’s an Advent poem/song from Madeleine L’Engle, inspired by the traditional “O Antiphons.”  It was posted on Prayers and Creeds.

Advent Poem:

O Oriens

O come, O come Emmanuel
within this fragile vessel here to dwell.
O Child conceived by heaven’s power
give me thy strength: it is the hour.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high;
like any babe at life you cry;
for me, like any mother, birth
was hard, O light of earth.

O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
whose birth came hastily at night,
born in a stable, in blood and pain
is this the king who comes to reign?

O come, thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
the stars will be thy diadem.
How can the infinite finite be?
Why choose, child, to be born of me?

O come, thou key of David, come,
open the door to my heart-home.
I cannot love thee as a king–
so fragile and so small a thing.

O come, thou Day-spring from on high:
I saw the signs that marked the sky.
I heard the beat of angels’ wings
I saw the shepherds and the kings.

O come, Desire of nations, be
simply a human child to me.
Let me not weep that you are born.
The night is gone. Now gleams the morn.

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel,
God’s Son, God’s Self, with us to dwell.

~Madeleine L’Engle   Posted on Prayers and Creeds. http://prayersandcreeds.wordpress.com/

Call to Worship: The Vineyard

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 5 and Psalm 80. It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Isaiah 5 and Psalm 80)

Long ago a vineyard was planted.

The ground was prepared, and all was made ready.
But the vines grew wild,

the ground was unable to support the wild grapes.
What happened in that place of promise?
People forgot the One who planted the vineyard.

They chose their own ways and failed.
Let us again turn to the Lord,

who will again plant, prune, and cause us to grow in faithfulness.
Let us open our hearts to God,

trusting in God's ways and God's word. Amen.

~ from the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 80

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 80 (the suggested psalm for Advent 4 A, Advent 1 B, Advent 4 C, Proper 15 C, Proper 22 A), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start.

Follow this link to Psalm 80: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-80.html