Christmas Greetings to friends and family as we race towards a turbulent 2024.
Christine & Tom
Ten years ago in 2014, we sent out greetings reflecting on a great visit to Australia to be with Christine’s family and some of her medical school buddies as well as driving along the beautiful coast to Brisbane. Back then our world seemed like a relatively calm and pleasant place.
However, we have all experienced much change in the past decade. We discovered that predictions on the first Earth Day over 50 years ago accurately predicted accelerating environmental challenges. We also, in the past decade, encountered huge tech expansion with many benefits but also with new challenges. Clearly, as we race into 2024 many of our churches are headed into some very daunting times a well.
In spite of all the challenges, it has been a very good year. We now have 2 delightful young couples living with us in our small Mustard Seed House community and enjoy a meal together each week, as well as garden time once a month. With their help, the garden produced an impressive harvest of 280 lbs of tomatoes, 500 lbs of apples, 100 lbs of Asian pears and 40 lbs of peaches as well as lots of greens, squash, garlic and beans. We had a wonderful time processing apples and even managed to rent an apple press to make cider. As well as that, we delighted in a magnificent display of flowers, beginning with daffodils and tulips. The dahlias in particular looked spectacular over the summer filling our hearts with joy every time we wandered around the back yard.
Mustard Seed House
We are now a three dog family, as each couple owns a dog. Fortunately they all get on very well together. It is fun to watch them romp and frolic together out in the back yard, though the grass has definitely suffered as a result.
Over the summer we enjoyed doing hospitality again after a long break, inviting friends over for our first BBQs in several years. We also visited our good friends Tom and Kim in Canada. In February Christine travelled to Australia to see her family, a much needed visit after 3 years away. In October we visited San Francisco where Tom grew up. We visited lots of friends and walked around that beautiful city. It was a real treat. Tom shared at an important workshop with Tod Bolsinger, using his book 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change. It is a very relevant book for today as it describes three vital steps for racing into a time of accelerating change. It outlines ways to not only anticipate new waves of change but also innovative responses that reflect the ways of Jesus.
New Podcast coming soon
Christine’s website Godspacelight.com continues to flourish with visitors from 200 countries during the year. In January 2024 she expects to start a podcast “Liturgical Rebels” for people who want to reimagine and reconstruct their faith and spiritual practices; those who want to reshape belief and journey closer to God’s wholeness with peace, justice and flourishing not just for themselves but for the earth and all its inhabitants.” We are both really excited about this new venture. It really grew out of her book The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God and the encouragement to consider new and creative ways to express our faith and our awe and wonder in the world around us.
Christine is again cooking up a huge array of Christmas goodies – shortbread, English fruit cake, lemon bars and pecan bars – to send out in packages to friends and family as well as for our own hospitality. She loves to make an apple/cranberry punch to go with these as we entertain friends over the Christmas season. We just wish that we could invite you all over to celebrate the season and share these delicious goodies with us.
We both wish you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas and New Year of loving change-making.
Christine and Tom Sine at the Mustard Seed House in Seattle
Recently, June and I visited one of our favorite gardens: Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ.
As I was walking along, I was struck by the effect of the sunlight on the plants around me.
They glistened.
They created contrasts in the green foliage.
They begged for a deeper, longer look.
They sparkled with the delight of the Creator.
It was glorious to behold.
Artists work a lifetime to capture the light perfectly on a canvas.
As an amateur photographer, I try to do the same.
It is a delight when others notice that the artist or photographer has captured
the essence of the luminosity of a scene.
As I was walking along, I thought about how the Advent season is often described as a season of light.
The ancient prophets talked about a time when a light would be born into the world.
Isaiah 9:1-2, New International Version
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations,
by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
When Joseph and Mary took eight-day old Jesus to the temple, they met the prophet, Simeon.
Here is Luke’s account from Luke 2:27-32 (New International Version)
“Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying:
Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
It is for a good reason that Advent is celebrated as a season of light:
Jesus the light of the world is the centerpiece of the season.
I just read a news piece about the current state of Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The author writes, “The baby Jesus lies in the rubble in one of the churches (not the Church of the Nativity, this author’s note).”
Yet, even, the current tragedy of the events in Israel, Gaza and West Bank cannot dim the light that that shone that first Christmas.
Our lives may appear to be a surviving under a pile of rubble,
Some of our own making
Some caused by others and even nature itself,
Yet; the baby Jesus is there among it all.
The light is shining brightly.
It cannot be dimmed.
It is indeed an eternal light.
I visited a synagogue this week in my community. The rabbi giving me a tour pointed to the eternal light that burns in the sanctuary; a light to remind the worshippers that God’s presence is always present.
The church where I serve, similarly, has an eternal light to remind us of God’s presence.
This is a season we are reminded that an eternal light has been burning since the Garden of Eden (Psalm 104:1-2) and will burn in the everlasting Garden (Revelation 22:5).
I invite you this advent season to see where there is light.
Ron Friesen is a pastor and a certified spiritual director in Phoenix, AZ. He is married to
June, a frequent contributor to Godspace Light Community.
These Advent days are moving quickly towards Christmas. A little too quickly for me! I’m trying to take time to stop and take a deep breath and enjoy the simple things of the holiday season. Last night we had a family dinner to welcome my niece and her new husband to the Nashville side of the family. They live out west and we sadly didn’t make it to their wedding earlier this year. We had a wonderful time telling old stories and laughing at new ones we hadn’t heard before over delicious BBQ and side dishes from a great local restaurant. And then for dessert, the joy of a childhood memory food! pink peppermint ice cream and my late grandmother’s fudge pie! On the way home, my husband and I took the long way and looked at the Christmas lights along the way. It was a fun way to pause and receive the Joy of the season.
This week is the week of Joy in traditional Advent. It’s the pink candle week if you have a traditional wreath with three purple and one pink candle. It’s known as Gaudete Sunday. which is Latin for rejoice.
What is your definition of JOY?
This Advent, I am finding Joy in new Christmas music, and in decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments from all our travels and from my childhood and those created by our kids. I’m finding Joy in beautiful sunsets and the crisp blue skies of late and finding joy in our doodle Jake.
Jake
What is bringing you Joy in this season? What symbolizes JOY to you?
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.
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.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 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.”
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.”
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, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 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.jesus mafa nativity
What do you notice from this passage that you might not have noticed before?
The angels announce GOOD NEWS that will cause GREAT JOY for all the people! Not just for some of us! Not for those who have the right clothes or the right job or the right political affiliations. Not just those who have loads in their bank accounts or those who’ve invested well for their retirement years. But this GOOD NEWS, this JOY is for EVERYONE! Even lowly shepherds who haven’t taken a bath in a month much less thought about a retirement plan!
“Shepherds were a despised occupational group. Shepherds could be romanticized, largely due to the status of King David, the once and future shepherd king…However, in social fact shepherds were generally ranked with ass drivers, tanners, sailors, butchers, camel drivers, and other despised occupations. Being away from home at night, they were unable to protect the honor of their women; hence they were presumed to be dishonorable. Often they were considered thieves because they grazed their flocks on other people’s property.” (Malina/Rohrbaugh, 93)
It is interesting who gets the news of the Birth of the Messiah. It’s not the religious leaders or the wealthy, but rather a bunch of shepherds.
If Jesus was born today, who would get to hear about it first? Who in our world would be the first to hear of the GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY?
the annunciation to the shepherds henry ossawa tanner
Like the Shepherds of old, You are invited to OPEN YOUR INVITATION to JOY!
How can you experience more Joy in the days ahead? Talk to Jesus about this. What is blocking you from experiencing JOY right now? Give these things to Jesus to hold for you.
In honor of the shepherds, find a wool scarf or sweater and use it, wear it as a reminder that God is still announcing GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY to ALL PEOPLE! Allow the itch of the blanket, the itch of the sweater or scarf remind you to pray for people who aren’t considered the “in crowd,”and those who don’t know they are loved today. Those who feel outcast and alone this Advent/ Christmas.
PICK an Object or a Photograph that brings you JOY or reminds you to be joyful and keep it out on your desk or use it as your screen saver this week to help you receive the GIFT OF JOY from JESUS!
WATCH and LISTEN to one of my favorite spoken word artists: HARRY BAKER : JOY 2022 . Harry made a list of things that bring him joy as apart of his Advent practice last year and he is doing that again for 2023. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook. @harrybakerpoet
LISTEN: START your JOY PLAYLIST
“Take Joy in this! God is with us! That is what his name means…Emmanuel” Scott Erickson
by Karen Wilk
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. —John 1:14
Sometimes we read and hear Bible verses so often that we may forget to stop and ponder what they really mean. If we stop to think about what John 1:14 declares—and what we celebrate at this time every year—it’s astonishing. What can we ponder about John 1:14 for our lives today as Christ’s witnesses?
1. God became flesh.
The same Word—capital W—that created the universe and everything in it grew as an embryo in a mother’s womb! The mighty Word that spoke, “and there was light,” dwelt in the darkness! The eternal Word who appeared in a pillar of cloud and a fire, in prophets, in miracles, and in the care of little sparrows, roaring lions, and mighty mountains! This awesome, everlasting, all-powerful, all-knowing Word, God, came down, gave it all up to be with you, me, and our neighbors.
How are we “flesh and blood” in our neighborhoods?
2. The Word dwells among us.
God sticks around. God comes, not just to visit us, but to move in. “Into the neighborhood,” as Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message translation. God comes to hang out with us, in our ordinary, everyday lives and communities, to get to know us and to be with us.
How are we dwelling among and getting to know our neighbors?
3. And we beheld his glory, God’s glory!
God is no longer confined to the Holy of Holies, the mountaintop, the veiled face of Moses or our buildings! In Jesus, God’s glory is on display for all to see, touch, and experience! We’re assured not only that God knows, but also that God can be known! In Christ, “holiness” becomes humanity. Right next door, the kingdom of God comes near, full of grace, truth, love, and humility.
But beholding isn’t the end of the flesh and glory story. In fact, the flesh and glory story doesn’t end with Christmas or even with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. It continues in the lives—in the flesh—of those who believe and receive Christ.
Where is the Spirit—full of love, grace, and truth—present and active in your neighborhood?
4. Those who have seen God’s glory are God’s glory in the flesh, now.
If we remain, as so many do, merely impressed and astonished at God among us, then we are mere observers of the good news. At best, we’re admirers responding as we would to an article about good news in the newspaper. Responding to the good news of Jesus in the flesh is part of the wonder, beauty, and challenge of ‘neighbourhood life.’
How do we not only discover God at work in our neighborhoods but also embody God’s grace and truth?
…so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. —2 Thessalonians 1:12
In this Advent season, we long for You, we watch for You
Come Lord Jesus and dwell among us.
Awaken us to Your Presence
Your flesh and blood glory right next door.
Help us to discover and join the Spirit
Already at work in our midst and out ahead of us
Thank You that Your Kingdom is near
on our streets, in our communities—
Come Lord Jesus, Light of the world, guide us
in Your Way of loving, living and being with our neighbours. Amen.
Inspired by Christine Sine’s book The Gift of Wonder, and by our recognition that wonder is at the heart of the Advent story, Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine will encourage you to get ready for the season and for the birth of Christ by providing a collaborative retreat process that will help us enter this season with joy and delight in our hearts. This course provides a fun process of interaction, creativity, and reflection.
by John van de Laar
When you look back over your life, what moments stand out? In my experience, the people, places, and experiences that I remember most clearly and fondly are those that happened in seasons of slowness, attention, and appreciation. Often there was a period of waiting before the memorable event and usually there was a sense of time expanding. The usual pressures of my daily routine seem to lose their urgency and I had time to savour the moment.
But I have to admit that most of my life does not play out like this. Like so many people across the planet, I spend far too much time and energy rushing. Too often my life is a series of quick dips into consecutive experiences with little time to enjoy them, let alone linger in their goodness. That’s why I have grown increasingly committed to observing the seasons of the liturgical calendar and the calendar of earth-based spirituality. And I particularly appreciate entering into Advent as the start of my year and as a time of intentional and mindful waiting.
OUR LOST CAPACITY TO WAIT
In the last few years, I have become deeply aware of the pace of life in the 21st Century. The effectiveness of business is measured in quarters and of leaders in days. Products arrive and are replaced by upgrades at a startlingly fast pace. Delayed gratification is a long-lost concept, but in all the rush and impatience we fail to see the devastation that results.
We need to recover the lost art of waiting.
It’s not that we don’t ever experience waiting in our lives. In religious circles especially, it can sometimes seem like all we do is wait. If the primary purpose of our faith is to attain a blissful life after death, then it becomes all too easy for this life to become little more than a cosmic bus stop on the way to glory. We may still enjoy our work, give our best to our community, and love our families well. But beneath it all there can be a lingering sense that it’s all transient and therefore ultimately meaningless because the really important thing is the next life for which we wait. Rather than lead us into a richer and deeper experience of life, waiting like this robs us of our capacity to live fully, intentionally, and vibrantly.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the adrenalin of a fast-paced world that waiting becomes unthinkable. To wait is to miss opportunities, lose money, and watch life’s excitement pass us by—or so we’re told. FOMO—‘Fear Of Missing Out’—is a real 21st Century condition that keeps us in constant motion in search of the next thrill, the next new discovery, or the next big break. But when we lose our capacity to wait, we lose the deep, gentle, and profound joy of anticipation, the excitement of preparing ourselves for what’s to come, and the wonder of imagining the sweetness of that for which we wait. We begin to see our longings as a problem, especially if they are not fulfilled immediately. And when there’s no longing, no anticipation, and no waiting, our growth as human beings gets severely stunted.
WAITING’S GIFTS
But when we learn to wait well, actively, and intentionally, we receive a whole array of gifts. And that’s why this Advent season is so important. Advent is designed around the spiritual discipline of waiting. It engages our longing for a better world and better lives, and it invites us into the mystery of incarnation. As we wait for the Christmas celebration, we are invited to engage actively with the divine work of salvation, restoration, and new creation that is always happening within us and around us.
When we make waiting a spiritual practice, we always end up facing the parts of ourselves that demand instant gratification. Our grumpiness, selfishness, and impatience come to the surface, and we are given the opportunity to listen to them and learn from them. When we have identified the source of our restlessness, we are able to work with it to find a place of greater calm and comfort in waiting. And that, in turn, opens us to the gifts of waiting—the anticipation, excitement, longing, and growth that waiting offers.
LEARNING TO WAIT
So, how do we nurture the spiritual practice of waiting? Here are a few suggestions, but feel free to add to this list.
- Be mindful of the urge to rush ahead to quick and easy gratification. When you feel this compulsion, ask yourself where the urgency and haste originate in you and listen to what your inner self is saying. And then make the choice to slow down.
- Engage mindfully and meaningfully with any discomfort that arises around waiting. Listen to what your impatience wants to tell you and reassure yourself that waiting won’t lead to loss but can actually bring benefits.
- Nurture feelings of anticipation, excitement, and longing. Engage with what you’re waiting for—don’t try to put it out of your mind. Imagine receiving what you’re waiting for and enjoy the pleasure and excitement that this brings.
- Use spiritual practices, like the observation of Advent, to train yourself to use times of waiting for spiritual reflection and growth. Let these times teach you things about yourself and about life that you wouldn’t be able to learn in any other way.
- Waiting is linked with hope. So, use the practice of waiting to strengthen and sustain your capacity for hope—even when what you long for seems impossible or absent.
- When the waiting is over and the time for receiving comes, go into it slowly. Make sure to savour the receiving and to be mindful and present to the joy, gratitude, and fulfilment that comes when something you’ve waited for finally arrives.
- In the waiting, learn to be grateful for what you already have or experience. And be present to the things that make you feel most fully alive—loved ones and relationships, your connection with God, others, and the world, your connection with your deepest and most authentic self.
WHAT WAITING MEANS FOR YOU
We live in a world where waiting is extremely devalued. But our world of instant gratification and impatience is not good for our souls. It’s not that we should never enjoy immediate pleasures. But if we never delay gratification, we never get the chance to engage with what matters most and to receive the gifts of anticipation, excitement, longing, and a deeper life that waiting offers.
What value have you found in waiting? What makes waiting more difficult for you? How could the suggestions here help you to become more comfortable with waiting? And what gifts might you enjoy if you were to turn waiting into a spiritual practice?
This download includes the Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas devotional book, journal, and prayer cards for Celtic Advent, Advent, and Christmas through Epiphany! The Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas devotional spans the season from Celtic Advent through Epiphany on January 6th. The intent is to give us an extended period of time in which to both prepare ourselves for and celebrate the joy of Christ’s birth. The devotional offers a daily reading of either a liturgy, reflection, poem, or prayer that correlates with the journal which includes scripture, questions, and suggested activities for each day. The set of 12 Advent Prayer cards will help you reflect on the Advent and Christmas story.
It is the second week of traditional Advent, the 4th week of Celtic Advent. On Saturday I facilitated my Advent Quiet Day retreat. I really enjoy the opportunity it provides to interact with participants, to hear their their thoughts on the scriptures, poems and images that I use. It encourages all of us as we hear new perspectives on the story that can so easily become, just that, a story rather than a reality that changes our lives. This year I found some amazing images for us to reflect on and thought that you might enjoy them too. Mary and Eve – Sister Grace – Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance from Dubuque’s Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey; The Visitation of Theotokos to Elizabeth , Byzantine art-Lithography; Kelly Latimore – Refugees: The Holy Family; The Canticle of Mary Jen Norton; Our Lady of Everywhere – Mallory Rentsch. We are all such visually oriented people that it really helps u to have images to concentrating on while we are mediating.
For this 4th week of Advent I had planned to use “unexpected” as my word for the week. Instead I seemed to be focused on the world waiting. Ads I mentioned in my Meditation Monday – How Long Must We Wait? most of us feel that Christmas Day is coming very fast, and yet we know that once Christmas Day has passed, we will still be waiting and it seems so long, this in-between time between the promise and its final fulfillment. The length of the wait is unexpected, stretching and challenging too. Some of us have given up on the promises of God because of it. Others are filled with doubt and despair. All of us pray fervently for the fulfillment of what God promises.
This week we welcome Rev Bill Borror from Manchester Vermont into our writers circle. I was inspired by his words in his post Musings – Practicing Peace “we are Advent people who believe in the dawn of God’s coming kingdom. Because we live in the light of God’s revelation in Jesus, we can navigate the grey of human affairs. Through the “tender mercies” of God, we love all of God’s children, we mourn for all who die, we care for all who suffer, and we serve this world in the hope and the peace of Christ.”
In Freerange Friday: Advent As an Invitation to Community Lilly Lewin asks “Who is your Elizabeth? Who can you run to who understands who you are and where you are? Who is the person or people you don’t have to explain things to, they just know and understand you?” Such important questions to reflect on. June Friesen in The Empty Stocking provided us with another beautiful invitation. One Christmas a friend lost a dear one and June suggested they put up an empty stocking with the others with the name on it. Then each day during the advent season put a note or slip of paper in it of a special memory or short prayer. On Christmas day when other stockings are being emptied and enjoyed empty the notes and if you choose read them together as a family or read them silently. Elaine Breckenridge in St Nicholas – Love in Action, provided us with a rich introduction to the historical St Nicholas and suggested that in honor of St. Nicholas this year, we accept the invitation of Christ to perform some act of loving kindness for another in need, be it a financial gift or some other act of charity.
This morning I uploaded another litany, this one for the third week of Advent. I hope you enjoy it. You might also like to check out some of the Christmas prayers that have been posted on Godspacelight in the last few years – some wonderful prayers from Maya Angelou, John O’Donohue, Howard Thurman, Madeleine L’Engle and many others.
I appreciate your prayers this week as I work to get the details for upcoming podcast: Liturgical Rebels finished so that we can begin recording next week and hopefully make the first podcast episodes available in January. This is a fun project but much more work than I expected.
Lord Jesus Christ
Grant me patience,
as you are patient.
Waiting, hoping, expecting,
Never forcing.
Lord Jesus Christ
Grant me kindness,
as you are kind.
Generous, compassionate, gentle,
always overflowing.
Lord Jesus Christ
Grant me love,
As you are loving.
Trusting, enduring, self sacrificing
Ever delighting in truth.
Lord Jesus Christ
Grant me your life,
As you would have me live
Journeying into wholeness,
Towards your eternal world.
Many blessings
Over the years we have gathered resources – prayers, liturgies, meditations, reflections, books – to help you engage in more meaningful seasonal celebrations. Go to our resources page for Advent, Christmas, New Year & Epiphany.
Today’s litany was written with a deep longing for the fulfillment of God’s promises. It was written several years ago but I have incorporated part of yesterday’s prayer and adapted it for this year. As I mentioned in yesterday’s Meditation Monday, many of us are tired of waiting and we keep asking “How long O’God?
How long should we wait
Before we give up on a dream?
How long should we hope
Before we discard a promise?
How long God Almighty,
Before your dreams and promises
Become reality.
Yet still we believe.
The coming of our Lord is near,
Something new is around the corner,
Love, joy, peace and hope,
We await the promise of your coming.
The coming of our Lord is near,
Something new is appearing,
A child, a saviour, God’s much beloved son,
We await the hope of your coming.
The coming of our Lord is near,
Something new is being birthed,
A new heaven, a new world, a new community,
We await the long expected One.
The coming of our Lord is near,
We wait in joyful expectation for what is emerging,
Love comes down at Christmas,
And we await your coming.
(Pause to light the appropriate Advent candles)
The coming of our Lord is near
and we await the promise of your coming,
Light of the world draw close,
Shine on us with your guiding presence,
Shine in us with your truth and forgiveness,
Shine through us with your mercy and love.
The coming of our Lord is near
and we await the promise of your coming,
Bring light and life and love into our world,
Lead us to the fullness of life,
Where peace and righteousness kiss,
Where truth and justice embrace.
Come Lord Jesus come
You who are love incarnate,
You who give life eternal,
You who are the One in whom all things find completion,
Draw close and teach us the ways of peace.
Come Lord Jesus come,
You who are fully human yet fully God,
Come again into our world,
Come again into our lives,
Draw close, come again and make us whole.
Scripture Readings: read appropriate scriptures for the day.
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe;
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world;
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings;
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trial too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and forever. Amen. (The Lord’s Prayer: Maori and Polynesia)
God who is justice, come.
Come to refugees and victims of violence throughout the world.
God who is righteousness, come.
Come to all who have been mistreated and abused.
God who is compassion, come.
Come to all who are sick and in need of healing.
God who is love, come.
Come to all who hate and live in fear.
God still waits,
And we wait too,
To fulfill the promises
Begun in Jesus’ birth.
Come soon Prince of Peace
Bring our waiting to an end,
Come into our hurting world,
Give birth to your new world of light and love and wholeness.
Lord Jesus Christ we await your coming,
We wait filled with hope,
Knowing your light will shine in the darkness.
We wait anticipating your peace,
Believing that one day it will fill our world.
Weapons of warfare will be destroyed.
We wait embracing your love,
May we reach out to share it with our neighbours.
Both near and far.
We wait with joy,
Bubbling within us in expectation of your birth.
Lord we wait,
Come soon and fill us with your life.
Light of the world come, draw near,
In this Advent season come into our world afresh,
Draw all the world’s people into your embrace,
Open our hearts to welcome you.
Light of the world come, draw near,
Shine your star that we might follow,
Let angel choruses welcome you,
And proclaim your peace through all the earth.
Light of the world come, draw near,
Birth in us something new,
Fill the emptiness within,
Let your love overflow in us, through us, beyond us.
Amen.
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