12/24 Advent daybook, 26: A child has been born for us!

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Angel Playing a Trumpet
detail from the Linaiuoli Triptych, by Fra Angelico

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read

Isaiah 9:2-7: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

all readings for the day: Isaiah 9:2-7 • Psalm 96 • Titus 2:11-14 • Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

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pray

God of incarnation, your angel host announces that peace has been born among us, embodied in fragile flesh. With confidence in the power of that miracle, we bring before you our prayers for the church and the world.

 Offer prayers up for church, world, community and family, concluding with:

By your grace, transform our prayers from words to deeds, that we may live as a holy people in the dawn of your peace, redeemed from all that divides us, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. (source)

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listen

For Unto Us A Child Is Born 
from Handel's Messiah

Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

read this poem by Christina Rossetti (h/t Malcolm Guite):

Christmas Eve

CHRISTMAS hath a darkness

Brighter than the blazing noon,

Christmas hath a chillness

Warmer than the heat of June,

Christmas hath a beauty

Lovelier than the world can show:

For Christmas bringeth Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

Earth, strike up your music,

Birds that sing and bells that ring;

Heaven hath answering music

For all Angels soon to sing:

Earth, put on your whitest

Bridal robe of spotless snow:

For Christmas bringeth Jesus,

Brought for us so low. 

wait in hope and wonder

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/23 Advent daybook, 25: Magnificat

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

A Mother and Child Looking at the Virgin and Child
Reginald Bottomley
source

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read

Luke 1:46b-55:  My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

  

all readings for the day:   Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:6-8; 2 Peter 1:16-21

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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. (source)

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listen

Holy Is Your Name

The Many

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

gather with your "tribe" of friends to sing or tell stories

(this is 2013 when Kendra's "tribe" gave up a Thursday night 

to watch her high school Christmas concert)

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/22 Advent daybook, 24: neither shall they learn war anymore

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Christmas in an Iraqi refugee camp, 2014

source

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read

Micah 4:1-5: He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore

all readings for the day:  Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:11-22

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pray 

Lord Jesus Christ our Refuge and Deliverer, Who as a child sought refuge in Egypt while fleeing from those who would persecute and harm You. Remember those today who must flee in the same manner, and find themselves in foreign and strange lands, granting them your Presence, your protection, and your provision. Illuminate us to be a shining light upon a hill amidst the dark evil in our world, that we may do our part with hospitality and resources, and that all who are refugees might be led to the brightness of Your redemptive love made present by Your glorious Incarnation, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (A call to prayer for refugees from Anglican Church in North America's Archbishop Foley Beach: source)

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listen

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Benedictines of Mary

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

enjoy warm drinks with friends
cranberry mulled cider via

Read this poem: Prayer at Winter Solstice

Blessed is the road that keeps us homeless. 

Blessed is the mountain that blocks our way.

Blessed are hunger and thirst, loneliness and all forms of desire. 

Blessed is the labor that exhausts us without end.

Blessed are the night and the darkness that blinds us. 

Blessed is the cold that teaches us to feel.

Blessed are the cat, the child, the cricket, and the crow. 

Blessed is the hawk devouring the hare.

Blessed are the saint and the sinner who redeem each other. 

Blessed are the dead, calm in their perfection.

Blessed is the pain that humbles us. 

Blessed is the distance that bars our joy.

Blessed is this shortest day that makes us long for light. 

Blessed is the love that in losing we discover. (Dana Gioia)

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/21 Advent daybook, 23: He picks up the poor from out of the dirt

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

A young boy takes a break from his work in this dump collecting scraps to hold his baby sister (Guatemala)
Glen Cooper
source

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read

Psalm 113: Who can compare with GOD, our God, so majestically enthroned, surveying his magnificent heavens and earth? He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash, seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best. 

all readings for the day:  Psalm 113; Isaiah 42:14-21; Luke 1:5-25

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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. (source)

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listen

Canticle of the Turning

Buddy Greene

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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watch & give

Click here to visit Potter's House gift catalog to help Treasured men, women and children living in the Guatemala City dump communities receive a variety of good gifts (meals, education, micro enterprise training, and more).  We love Potter's House, and commend their work to you this Advent.

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/20 Advent daybook, 22: blessed is she who believed

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Visitation
Bradi Barth

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read

Luke 1:39-45 (46-55): For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.

all readings for the day:  Micah 5:2-5a  • Luke 1:46b-55  • Hebrews 10:5-10  • Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

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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. (source)

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listen

Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

Elizabeth Mitchell

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

write a thank you note or Christmas card to someone you appreciate

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Advent calendar via Ambrosium

(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)