Advent daybook, 24: the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

look & listen

Light Shower

Bruce Munro

installation in Salsbury Cathedral, UK, 2010

source

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read 

Isaiah 9:1-7: the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

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pray 

O God, who spoke all creation into being: When you created human flesh, we betrayed you by our disobedience. Yet you chose to come among us through your Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered death on our behalf, putting an end to the power of sin and death. 

For this great gift of your steadfast love, we give you thanks. Help us, O Lord, to keep vigil this night. Help us to watch for the signs of your coming into our midst, not in the splendid palaces of power, but in hearts humbled by need. Help us to believe that the darkness of cruelty and sin will never overcome the light, and the mercy, of Christ. Help us to endure, knowing that the evil and injustice of this world cannot prevail against your Word.

We ask this in the name of your Word made flesh, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. (source)

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do

Wait and Wonder

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 23: Word became flesh and dwelt among us

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

look

At the Margins

William Kurelek

source

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read 

John 1:1-14: The Word Became Flesh 

2 Corinthians 8:9

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pray 

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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listen

Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour

Ordinary Time

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do

forgo electricity for part of a day or evening; pray for light to shine in darkness

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 21: and the baby leaped in her womb

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

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Two Women

Charles LePlae, Antwerp

source

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read 

Luke 1:39-45: Mary visits Elizabeth

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pray 

O Glorious God, Your Word is made manifest in your glorious deeds; the powers of the world bend toward your will. All will be consummated in the never ending reign of your coming kingdom. 

And who is this king but the incarnate God, the Christ, who has come to dwell among us, be present with us, sojourn with us and know us in our most intimate being. 

In Christ is the foundation of community, of joy, of peace of strength, of life. Praise to the one who has come to be our comforter and friend, our prince of peace and coming king. Amen. (source)

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listen

The Trumpet Child

Over the Rhine

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make

make homemade gifts for friends

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 20: He defends, feeds, gives, frees, lifts up and loves

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

look

Prison Photography
Serge J-F Levy
source

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read 

Psalm 146:5-10: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob

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pray the hymn 

Good Father, truly you taught us to love one another.  Your law is love and your gospel is peace. We take you at Your word that you will break the chains of those who are enslaved and by Your word all oppression shall cease.  May we live each day in the truth that it is our brothers and sisters waiting to be free.  And may we, by Your Spirit, sing sweet hymns of joy and grateful choruses. Let all that is within us praise Your holy name.  You, Christ, are the Lord.  We'll praise your name and proclaim your power and glory forever and ever. Amen.

"A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, … and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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listen

O Holy Night

King's College, Cambridge

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do

take a walk in the lit night

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 19: you are going to resettle abandoned cities

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

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Hanging Forest
Amy Casey
source

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read 

Isaiah 54:1-10: the eternal covenant of peace

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pray 

Our Father in heaven, let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Resettle our dwelling places -- our cities, our world, our homes and hearts. Amen.

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listen

Joy to the World

Eef Barzelay

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do

look at lights with friends

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 18: He is the only Savior we look for, there is no other

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

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Christ Pantocrator, 6^th Century
Anonymous, 
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Mt. Sinai, Egypt
source

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read 

Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25: there is no other 

pause in silence

 Luke 7:19-23: should we look for another?

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pray 

Mighty One, as the God who was with us, quench all doubt within us. Reassert yourself to us, in all your creative power and glory. As we remember how your Son gave up that authority to be born and to walk with us on earth, may our love and loyalty rise up to you, strong and certain, to reassure you that we are indeed your creatures. More -- we are your sons and daughters. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (source)

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listen

Hail to the Lord's Annointed
The Welcome Wagon

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make

cook a meal for someone who needs it

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 13: If only we'd pay attention

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

look

Small Line of Signifiers: Stop, Look, Listen
Erica Grimm
source

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read 

Isaiah 48:17-19 : If only we'd pay attention 

pause in silence 

Matthew 11:16-19: If only we'd learn from Him in both fasting and feasting

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pray

Ever-Merciful God, Compassionate Teacher, Holy One Among Us who leads us now and ever, we lean into your ready embrace, and ask that you revive in us your teaching that we may this day turn onto the path that we should travel. We ask this in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (source)

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listen

I Wonder as I Wander
The City Church Little Big Band

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do

many of Kendra's "tribe" who gave up a Thursday night 

to watch her Christmas concert

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook,10: He will tend, gather, carry, gently lead

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

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A Shepherd on the Downs
John William Inchbold

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read 

Isaiah 40:1-11: Comfort, comfort 

pause in silence 

read Matthew 18:12-14: He will find

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pray 

Lamb of God and Good Shepherd, Holy Servant and Holy King, Infant Child of the Blessed Womb and Eternal Lord Whom the Heavens Cannot Contain, teach us what we are to cry aloud. Bless our tongues with words that lead us and others truly to the Word. Now and ever, and unto the ages. Amen. (source)

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listen

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make

gift tags via

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 9: He will come and He will save you

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

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Annunciation
John Collier
source

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read 

Isaiah 35:1-10: He will come and save you 

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pray 

God of joy and exultation, you strengthen what is weak; you enrich the poor and give hope to those who live in fear. Look upon our needs this day. Make us grateful for the good news of salvation and keep us faithful in your service until the coming of our Lord jesus Christ, who lives for ever and ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

Forest Mountain Hymnal

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do

read a Christmas story with friends
[my new favorite Christmas story!]

A Child's Christmas in Wales
 by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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