Advent daybook, 22: Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant

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

look

The Angel Visiting Joseph in a Dream.

 La Tour, Georges du Mesnil de, 1593-1652

source

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read 

Matthew 1:18-25: Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant

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pray 

O Wisdom, O holy word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care: Come and show your people the way to salvation. Amen.

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listen

Joseph and Mary (the Cherry Tree Carol)

Elizabeth Mitchell

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do

leave a thank you gift for the mail carrier

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 17: All peoples shall bring Him worship

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

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The Journey of the Magi, ca. 1433–35
Sassetta (Stefano di Giovanni)
source

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read 

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13: the conversion of the nations

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pray 

Almighty God, the prophets foretold of your arrival, of a coming kingdom, of a child who would reign. Who knew the child would come in Bethlehem, a child of humble means, a child born in a manger: poor, yet receiving the gifts of a king. Christ has come to bring an everlasting kingdom, an incarnate God who dwells among us, lives within us, renews us and strengthens us for every good work. Amen. (source)

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listen

Savior of the Nations, Come

Cardiphonia

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do

look at the night sky (did you SEE last night's moon?!?)

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 16: Magnificent Magnificat

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

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ceramic sculpture by Julia Dean
source

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read 

Luke 1:46-55: Magnificat

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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 Lord, we wait with eager expectation for the coming of Your kingdom when the humble will be exalted and the hungry fed.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done. 

Lord, we prepare for Your advent with searching minds and contrite hearts, trusting in Your healing spirit and redemptive love.

Your kingdom come, your will be done. 

Lord, we watch with those who wait and weep, longing to see the rule of justice and the reign of peace.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

Lord, we seek You among the despised and rejected, knowing that there will find Your light shining in the dark.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

Lord, we proclaim sight to the blind and liberty to the oppressed, trusting in Your tender mercy and passion for justice.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

Lord, we work with others to proclaim Your truth,

challenging the mighty and raising the meek.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

Lord, we wrestle with our hopes and our fears, our struggles and our joys laboring with creation to come to new birth.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

~ Annabel Shilson-Thomas. http://www.cbmidwest.org/

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listen & watch

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do

write a note to someone you appreciate

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 15: the lame shall leap

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

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Arc II 
Erica Grimm
source

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read 

Isaiah 35:1-6: The Ransomed Shall Return 

pause in silence 

Psalm 130: My Soul Waits for the Lord

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pray the hymn 

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, 

Born to set Thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us. 

Let us find our rest in Thee. 

Israel's Strength and Consolation, 

Hope of all the earth Thou art. 

Dear Desire of every nation, 

Joy of every longing heart. 

Come, Thou mighty, humble Savior, 

God incarnate as a child 

Laying aside divine behavior 

Frailness taking, meek and mild 

Here we wait in expectation 

Now from heaven to earth descend 

From Thy sweet celestial station 

Come to be our loving friend. 

Born Thy people to deliver 

Born a child and yet a King. 

Born to reign in us forever 

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring 

By Thine own eternal Spirit 

Rule in all our hearts alone 

By Thine all sufficient merit 

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

credits

(source)

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listen

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do

sing Christmas carols with friends or family
(Christ Church ugly sweater party/singing carols in Spanish 
& delivering presents to an Austin family)

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 14: We did not recognize Him

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

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The Visitation
Jim Janknegt
source

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Matthew 17:10-13: We did not recognize him

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pray 

O Holy One Who Comes, we turn again to you, and we open our hearts, we open our minds, we open our entire beings to your approach. We ask for strength and wisdom that we may now prepare the way. We ask that all may receive you in joy. Now and forever. Amen. (source)

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listen

Hear Now, You House of David

Ordinary Time

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do

send Christmas cards to some who might not normally receive them
Christmas cards via James B. Janknegt

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 12: He will answer and will not forsake

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

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A mother of two outside  her home in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan
source
Give to relief efforts via Samaritan's Purse

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read 

Isaiah 41:13-20: He will answer and will not forsake

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pray 

Only Help of human kind, whose Hand bestows all good, whose Hand both lifts and leads us through the wildnerness to his grove beside life-giving waters, O Holy God in whom we live and move and have our being, remember us. Both now, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. (source)

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listen

Salvation is Created

Bifrost Arts

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make

warm drinks to share with friends 

mulled cranberry cider via

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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Advent daybook, 11: He gives power to the faint, rest to the weary

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

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Creche, 1890
Albert Anker
source

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read 

Isaiah 40:25-31: He gives power to the faint 

pause in silence 

Matthew 11:28-30: He gives rest to the weary

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pray 

Unknowable One, we stand before you, hardly daring to look up. We offer you our hearts, and pray that we may, this day and ever, worship you in ways that are true. Forgive us those days when we have worshiped false and faulty images we have shaped. Help our frail sense, that we may apprehend your Presence and your Love. In the everlasting Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (source)

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listen

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent

Red Mountain Music

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do

bring greens into the house

(we haven't found a tree yet, but I saved the greens from flowers
 we brought home from our friend Trey's funeral in November; 
they are gorgeous and still thriving)

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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